If you’ve been injured at work, you might be dealing with a lot of pain and frustration. Whether it’s from a slip, fall, repetitive motion, or other accidents, workers' compensation injuries can take a long time to heal. In addition to traditional treatments like physical therapy and medications, acupuncture is another option that can help you feel better and get back to work faster.
How Can Acupuncture Help with Workers’ Compensation Injuries?
When you’re injured at work, it can be tough to manage the pain and recovery process. Acupuncture has been shown to provide relief for many different types of injuries, such as:
- Back pain: Many workers suffer from back pain due to heavy lifting, long hours of sitting, or repetitive movements. Acupuncture can help ease the tension in your muscles and promote healing in your back.
- Neck and shoulder pain: Jobs that require you to lift, carry, or hold heavy objects can cause neck and shoulder pain. Acupuncture helps reduce muscle tension, increase circulation, and support recovery.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: If you perform repetitive tasks like typing or using machinery, you might develop carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes pain, numbness, and tingling in your hands. Acupuncture can improve circulation and reduce inflammation in the wrist and hand area.
- Knee and joint pain: Whether you’ve injured your knee from bending or lifting, acupuncture can help ease joint pain by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation.
- Headaches: Some work injuries can also lead to headaches or migraines. Acupuncture can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches by balancing the body's energy.
What to Expect During an Acupuncture Treatment
If you decide to try acupuncture for your workers' compensation injury, here’s what you can expect during a treatment session:
- Consultation: First, your acupuncturist will ask about your injury, your pain levels, and any other health issues you may have. They will also discuss your work-related activities to understand how your injury happened.
- Treatment: During the treatment, your acupuncturist will gently insert very thin needles into specific points on your body. Don’t worry—these needles are tiny, and most people feel little to no pain. The needles help stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. Other acupuncture modalities such as cupping, gua sha, ultrasound, and or moxa may be used when appropriate.
- Resting: After the needles are inserted, you’ll lie down and relax for about 20-30 minutes while the acupuncture points work to heal your body.
- Aftercare: After your treatment, you may feel relaxed, and your pain might decrease. It’s important to drink water and avoid any heavy physical activity for the rest of the day to allow your body to fully recover.
Is Acupuncture Covered by Workers' Compensation?
In the state of Minnesota, acupuncture can be covered by workers' compensation insurance. If you are eligible, acupuncture could be an effective addition to your recovery plan, alongside other treatments like physical therapy or medication.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Workers' Compensation Injuries
Here are a few ways acupuncture can be beneficial for treating workers' compensation injuries:
- Pain relief: Acupuncture is known to help release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. This can reduce the need for medications.
- Faster healing: By improving circulation and reducing inflammation, acupuncture can speed up the recovery process.
- Improved range of motion: Acupuncture can help restore movement in joints and muscles that might have been stiff or injured.
- Stress reduction: Recovering from an injury can be stressful, and acupuncture has been shown to help relax both the body and the mind.
Acupuncture can be a valuable treatment for people with workers' compensation injuries. It helps with pain relief, faster healing, and improved movement, all without the need for heavy medications. If you’re struggling with a work injury, it’s worth considering acupuncture as part of your recovery plan.