The ACL a strong ligament connecting the tibia and femur. It stops the tibia from slipping forward on the femur and mechanically supports the knee. The ACL stabilizes the knee during flexion (bending), extension (straightening) and rotation. ACL is the most common knee injury.
There is a higher rate of ACL tears in females, related to hip and knee angle and hormones. TCM can treat fluctuating hormones contributing to irregular menstrual cycles or PMS.
Injury Can Come from Two Main Conditions:
- Trauma – such as a kick to the knee.
- Occur during activities of deceleration, twisting, cutting and jumping. When a change in direction allows the tibia to rotate in the opposite direction of the tibia, the ACL will give away.
Symptoms of an ACL tear:
- Pain with swelling.
- Loss of full range of motion.
- Tenderness along the joint line of knee.
- Discomfort while walking.
Tears can be graded:
Grade 1: Mild damage. Slight stretched ACL. Knee is stable.
Grade 2: Ligament is stretched to the point where it becomes loose. Referred to as a partial tear.
Grade 3: Complete tear. Instable knee.
Grade 1 and 2 respond to acupuncture. Grade 3 requires surgery, but acupuncture is successful in post-surgery healing and rehab.
I approach treating your ACL tear to your presentation, which involves:
- Analyzing your posture – is your pelvis aligned with knees and ankles?
- Understanding how other factors such as the calf muscles, quad, hamstrings, hip and pelvic muscles can help your healing process.
- Muscle testing the muscles impacting the knee for weakness and pain.
- Improving your knee cap alignment.
- Targeting effected muscles, releasing motor points, trigger points and relaxing the fascia.
Providing exercises to continue treatment success between acupuncture treatments.
Call (914) 572-5137 today or click here to schedule an appointment & learn more about how we can help you.