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Sports Medicine Acupuncture

San Francisco Acupuncture Group - two adults running up stairs

What is sports medicine acupuncture?

Sports medicine acupuncture is a unique and effective approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries and conditions commonly seen in athletes and active individuals. It combines traditional acupuncture techniques with modern sports medicine and orthopedic assessments to create personalized treatment plans that help athletes and active individuals achieve optimal performance, prevent injury, and promote faster recovery from injuries.

Michael Volk, L.Ac., CSMA – expert in sports medicine acupuncture and dry needling

At San Francisco Acupuncture Group, we are proud to have Michael Volk, L.Ac., CSMA as part of our team. With over 30 years of experience and with certifications in both sports medicine acupuncture and dry needling, Michael is highly respected among colleagues and athletes.

“I have a long history of neck and shoulder pain (lots of rugby, couple of car crashes, work all day at a computer). Over the years I have tried a lot of treatments: massage, chiropractic, cortisone shots, etc.

Michael’s acupuncture technique has by far made the biggest difference. He has been able to smooth out muscles that have been knotted for as long as I can remember. Sleeping is now easier. I have way less discomfort.”

– Jason H., San Francisco

Our Approach

Our treatments are designed to address the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction and restore full strength and function. We utilize an integrative approach, employing a combination of traditional acupuncture along with modern acupuncture, dry needling, and other techniques including electrical stimulation, cupping, and manual therapy, and collaborating with coaches, trainers, and other providers in order to achieve the best outcomes help our clients optimize their performance and reach their goals.

LeBron James with the San Francisco Acupuncture team

What conditions can be treated with sports medicine acupuncture?

Infographic depicting list of conditions that can be treated with sports medicine acupuncture: Tendon and musculotendinous syndromes; elbow lateral/medial epicondylitis (tennis/golfer’s elbow); knee patellar tendonitis; shoulder rotator cuff injury, impingement; ankle achilles tendonitis; wrist De Quervain’s tendinosis/tenosynovitis, ulnar tendonitis; hip deep gluteal tendonopathy; muscle strain of hamstring, calf, neck, back; knee injuries, patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee), ligament injuries (ACL, MCL tears), meniscus tears, chondromalacia patella (runner’s knee), iliotibial band syndrome; runner’s stitch syndrome; Sshin splints (tibial stress syndrome); and more.

Dry needling can be an effective technique to manage chronic pain conditions that impact the body’s muscles and fascia, including fibromyalgia, hypermobility spectrum disorders including EDS, chronic headaches or migraines, and pelvic floor dysfunction.

It can also be used to treat injuries and any residual pain from historic injuries. Some of the common injuries we treat are:

Tendon and musculotendinous syndromes

  • Elbow–lateral/medial epicondylitis (tennis/golfer’s elbow)
  • Knee–patellar tendonitis
  • Shoulder–rotator cuff injury, impingement
  • Ankle–Achilles tendonitis
  • Wrist–De Quervain’s tendinosis/tenosynovitis, ulnar tendonitis
  • Hip–deep gluteal tendonopathy

Muscle strain

  • Hamstring, calf, neck, back, etc.

Knee injuries

  • Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
  • Ligament injuries (ACL, MCL tears)
  • Meniscus tears
  • Chondromalacia patella (runner’s knee)
  • Iliotibial band syndrome

Runner’s stitch syndrome

Shin splints (tibial stress syndrome)

And more…

Our commitment

At San Francisco Acupuncture Group, we are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality care and the best possible outcomes. Our sports medicine acupuncture treatments are designed to help you achieve your goals, whether you are a professional athlete or a weekend warrior.

Ready to get started?

Whether you’re new to dry needling or you have prior experience, we look forward to working with you to treat your pain and achieve your goals.