Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide range of painful symptoms, including musculoskeletal pain, which is why some dancers use it to help them keep strong and avoid injury.
Risks to Dancers
Dancers rely on their flexibility and strength to perform in what is a very physically demanding role. No matter how fit they are, they are prone to strain and injuries, which can put them out of action. Training, rehearsing and performing every day involves many repetitive movements and some high-impact landings which can easily cause injury.
Particularly common are tendinitis and ankle sprains, due to the pressure placed on their feet and legs. Acupuncture can be a valuable tool in helping a dancer stay flexible and aid recovery after suffering an injury.
Alternative Treatment
While many dancers will use a physiotherapist and even take pain-relieving medication, acupuncture is seen by many professional dancers as a powerful alternative treatment. Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer told a fan that it works wonders for her.
Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation by improving blood flow and speeding up the healing process. When a practitioner applies needles to specific points on the body, they can help soft tissue repair and reduce any swelling, which then helps to prevent further complications.
If you are considering having acupuncture Evesham for your own issues with swelling and injury, an experienced acupuncturist from a team such as Purelands Acupuncture can advise on the best course of treatment.
As well as sprains, dancers are prone to tendonitis, which is when the tendons become inflamed, so acupuncture is used to promote circulation and release tension. Other issues include stress fractures, knee and hip injuries and lower back pain. All of these can be helped through acupuncture.
Balance
Crucial for any dancer, balance can also be improved with the use of acupuncture, as it can improve what is known as proprioception, which is your body’s ability to know where it is in the space around it. It works by the needles aiding communication between the nervous system and muscles, leading to improved stability and balance.
