Players involved in racket sports occasionally suffer injuries to their knees, elbows, backs and shoulders. There are many forms of treatment that they seek, and one that's becoming increasingly popular is acupuncture.

Some people are leery about trying acupuncture. They are not sure how it works and are afraid that the needles will be painful.

To allay some of their fears we asked Dr. Herbert K.Y. Lau, one of the area's leading acupuncturists, to provide information for players involved in racket sports, or anyone else interested in acupuncture.

Lau explained that acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at different points that have proven to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These crucial points have been carefully documented by the Chinese over a 2,000-year period. Recently, further research using electromagnets has verified the location of these points.

Acupuncture is used for the treatment of many different problems, such as ear, nose and throat, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal disorders, eye problems, and nervous system and muscular disorders.

For ailments related to racket sports, acupuncture has proven helpful for shoulder problems, knee pain, tennis elbow, lower back pain, sciatica, and most forms of arthritis.

Lau emphasized that the needles range from 1/2 to 5 inches long, and they are used according to the nature of the patient's problems. However, it is rare that needles of more than 1 inch are used. The needles are very thin and pliable.

As for the pain that a patient might suffer, Lau stressed that a patient might feel some cramping, heaviness, tingling or an electric sensation traveling up or down where the needles have been inserted, or along the energy pathway.

In Chinese culture acupuncture is bu tong, or painless. In the United States and Canada some would categorize these feelings as types of pain. However, if there is any discomfort, it is usually very mild.

Most people are concerned about how deep the needles are inserted. This depends on the severity of the problem, the location of where the needles will be inserted, the patient's size, age and constitution, and the acupuncturist's methods. Most needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. It usually takes about 10 minutes to insert an average of 10 needles. It then takes about another 20 minutes for the needles to do their work.

Needles are sterilized, individually packaged, and disposable. They are not saved or reused for further treatments. This practically eliminates the possibility of a contaminated needle transmitting a communicable disease.

As to how acupuncture actually works, the theories are based on Chinese culture. The Chinese feel that the flow of energy and blood travels through distinct pathways that cover the body in somewhat the same manner as nerves and blood vessels do. Acupuncture allows the energy to move to areas where it is deficient and away from where there is excess. By doing this acupuncture regulates and restores the compatible energy balance of the body.

Problems such as tennis elbow and acute back pain may require a single treatment, or a series of five to 15 treatments, depending upon how severe the problem is.

If you still are undecided about having acupuncture, the comments of the following tennis players should help you feel more comfortable. Russell Tringall Sr. won the Buffalo Muny Open Father & Son Doubles Championships with his son a few years ago. He said, "I had severe back problems and tried other methods. However, acupuncture worked wonders on me, and the treatments were pain free."

Patty Tringall, a recreational tennis player and Russell Sr.'s wife, had such excruciating pain from tennis elbow she could barely lift her arm.

"It was unbelievable," she said. "After a few treatments, my problems were virtually gone."

John Calleri is one of the area's better doubles players. He said, "I tried everything for a lower back problem because I had a herniated disk. The acupuncture relieved my pain and I'm still playing tennis seven years later without any problem."

Patients often experience dramatic results during their first treatment. Sometimes it will take a little bit longer. In most cases, you should feel better over the next two or three days.

　　From Healthy.net