Listed below are common injuries of baseball players that acupuncture can treat. Don’t see your injury listed? Please contact me for more information.
Common Injuries in Baseball
Shoulder Injuries – Tendinitis, Bursitis, Impingement
Symptoms:
- Inflammation, red, soreness, swelling of tendons in the shoulder joint
- Biceps can become inflamed and irritated – pain radiating down the front of the arm to the elbow
- Pain sleeping on the affected shoulder
- Pain when lifting the arm away from the body
Causes:
- Throwing a ball
- Repetitive motions causing chronic injury
- Weak upper back muscles and over tight chest muscles
Torn Rotator Cuff
Symptoms:
- Pain, swelling in the shoulder
- Weakness in the shoulder
- Limited movement in the shoulder
- Pain when lifting overhead
- Pain worse at night
Causes:
- Throwing a ball
- Swinging a bat
- Poor muscle strengthen in the shoulder and upper back
Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis
Symptoms:
- Decreased Range of motion
- Shoulder feels tight
Causes:
- Throwing a ball
- Swinging a bat
- Poor muscle strength in the shoulder and upper back
Bursitis of the Elbow
Symptoms:
- Swollen, fluid accumulation on the elbow
- Limited movement of the elbow
- Pain with bending the elbow
Causes:
- Throwing the ball
- Being hit with a ball on the elbow
Throwers Elbow
Symptoms:
- Pain on the inside and outside portion of the elbow
- Possible pain radiating down the elbow to wrist
- Possible tingling and numbness
Causes:
- Throwing the ball
Wrist Sprains
Symptoms:
- Pain, tenderness and swelling in the hand or wrist
- Bruising to the localized area
Causes:
- Falling on an outstretched hand
Tendinitis of the Wrist
Symptoms:
- Pain and swelling on the wrist
- Location will depend on which tendons have been irritated
Causes:
- Repetitive motions such as throwing the ball or swinging a bat
Knee Pain
Can include arthritis of the knee, torn meniscus, knee cap not tracking properly and ligament issues.
Symptoms:
- Pain, clicking, swelling of the knee
- Pain worse with squatting or walking
Causes:
- Repetitive motions such as squatting to pick up a ball
- Sudden quick movements
- Movements that twist the knee
Back Pain
Including herniation of disks, arthritis in the back, sprained and strained muscles
Symptoms:
- Pain, stiffness, spasms and swelling in the back
- Possible numbness, tingling and weakness related to nerve involvement
- Pain in the back when taking the correct posture to swing
- Inability to bend over or get up from a chair
- Unable to twist
Causes:
- Sudden rapid movements
- Sliding into home base
- Weak back muscles
- Poor posture