Top 5 Injuries We See in the Clinic—and How We Treat Them with Acupuncture

Whether you're a weekend jogger, a competitive athlete, or someone who simply wants to stay active, sports injuries can quickly derail your routine. At Sports Acupuncture NZ, we specialise in helping people recover naturally through targeted acupuncture and movement-based rehabilitation.

Here are the top 5 most common injuries we treat in our Auckland clinic, and how acupuncture helps with each one:

✅ 1. Shoulder Pain (Rotator Cuff Strain / Frozen Shoulder)

Symptoms: Stiffness, dull ache, restricted movement.How Acupuncture Helps:

• Releases tight shoulder muscles and improves local circulation

• Reduces inflammation and relieves impingement

• Restores movement by relaxing overactive muscles

📌 We often pair acupuncture with cupping or gentle mobilisations to restore shoulder function.

✅ 2. Lower Back Pain (Muscle Strain / Disc-related Pain)

Symptoms: Sharp or dull pain, stiffness, pain radiating down the leg.How Acupuncture Helps:

• Relaxes deep spinal muscles and eases nerve compression

• Reduces inflammation around the lumbar spine

• Activates endorphins for natural pain relief

🧘‍♂️ Clients often feel looser and lighter within the first 2–3 sessions.

✅ 3. Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain / IT Band Tightness)

Symptoms: Pain around the kneecap, especially when climbing stairs or squatting.How Acupuncture Helps:

• Releases tension in the quadriceps and IT band

• Reduces local swelling and pain

• Balances hip and knee muscle engagement

🏃 We treat many recreational runners and offer movement advice to prevent recurrence.

✅ 4. Ankle Sprain / Achilles Tendinitis

Symptoms: Swelling, weakness, stiffness, pain while walking or running.How Acupuncture Helps:

• Stimulates healing by increasing blood flow to ligaments/tendons

• Reduces pain and tightness in the calf and foot

• Accelerates recovery after the acute phase

💡 Early acupuncture + gentle mobilisation = faster return to walking and training.

✅ 5. Tension Headaches / Neck Strain

Symptoms: Headaches starting at the neck or back of the head, tight shoulders.How Acupuncture Helps:

• Targets trigger points in the neck and upper back

• Promotes parasympathetic (relaxation) response

• Improves sleep and reduces stress-related tension

  
  

🛌 Many clients report better sleep and less frequent headaches after just a few visits.