One of the areas in which acupuncture is most impressive is in the area of acute injury. Although this aspect of acupuncture is not well known to the public, I always advise a patient to try to have treatment within 48 hours of an injury. The results are often very satisfying to the patient in terms of pain relief, decrease of swelling, and rapid return to normal function. 

All sorts of trauma, from bruises to sprains to strains to concussions and fractures, can be partially or completely treated with acupuncture and plant derived medicines. I have seen very good results for professional athletes, martial artists, performers, animal trainers and horsewomen. Even overuse injuries and weekend sports injuries respond well. It is unfortunate that more acupuncture is not provided to patients in emergency rooms, because there are significant advantages to quickly addressing pain and swelling without the possible side effects of drugs. Even if surgery is ultimately necessary, adept application of acupuncture will assist in the healing and rehabilitative phases.

Trauma also inevitably involves emotional effects. Many injuries occur in situations of great tension, and the result is often fear, anxiety, worry and obsession. Chinese medical techniques are uniquely helpful for many of the emotional imbalances which are associated with traumatic experiences.

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