Common Injuries in Endurance Athletes (and How Acupuncture Can Help)
- Kailee Carlson
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
As endurance athletes, pushing our limits is part of the joy. But the repetitive stress of running, cycling, and long training blocks often leads to overuse injuries that can sideline your goals. In my acupuncture practice, I see a handful of injuries come up again and again in runners, triathletes, and ultra-endurance athletes.
The good news? With the right treatment plan, many of these conditions can heal more effectively—and acupuncture is a powerful tool to support that process.
Plantar Fasciitis
What it is: Sharp heel or arch pain, especially with the first steps in the morning.
Why it happens: Repetitive pounding on the feet, tight calves, improper footwear, or rapid training increases.
How acupuncture helps: By improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and releasing tight fascia and muscles of the lower leg, acupuncture helps athletes recover faster and get back to training.
Achilles Tendinitis / Tendinosis
What it is: Stiffness or aching along the back of the heel that often feels worse in the mornings or after runs.
Why it happens: High training volume, sudden increases in mileage, or limited calf mobility can overload the Achilles tendon.
How acupuncture helps: Local treatment stimulates tendon healing, while distal points address circulation and systemic inflammation. Combined with manual therapies and eccentric loading exercises, this speeds recovery.
IT Band Syndrome
What it is: Pain along the outer knee or thigh that worsens with running, particularly downhill.
Why it happens: Weakness or imbalance in the hips and glutes, plus repetitive stress.
How acupuncture helps: Needling releases tension in the TFL, glutes, and lateral thigh muscles that pull on the IT band, restoring smoother movement patterns.
Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)
What it is: Dull or sharp pain around or behind the kneecap.
Why it happens: Overuse, muscle imbalances, or poor running mechanics.
How acupuncture helps: Local treatment reduces pain and inflammation, while balancing quad, hip, and glute function to take stress off the knee joint.
Hamstring & Adductor Strains
What it is: Tightness or twinges along the back or inside of the thigh, often triggered by speed work or hills.
Why it happens: Fatigue, muscle imbalance, or inadequate recovery.
How acupuncture helps: Acupuncture encourages circulation in the affected muscle tissue, supports repair, and reduces the risk of recurrence.
Why Endurance Athletes Choose Acupuncture
Faster recovery: Improves circulation and reduces inflammation.
Root-cause approach: Balances the whole body, not just the injured area.
Integrative support: Works alongside PT, strength training, and chiropractic care (I'm a huge believer in working with a team of providers).
As both a runner and an acupuncturist, I know how frustrating it is to deal with an injury that interrupts training or racing goals. That’s why I combine acupuncture with holistic support—covering strength, nutrition, mindset, and recovery strategies—so athletes can heal fully and stay strong for the long run. Because we want to be doing this for ever, right? ☺️
👉 Ready to get back to training without pain? I treat endurance athletes from St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, Edina, and the greater Twin Cities area.
Book your appointment for sports acupuncture in St. Louis Park, MN, and let’s get you moving again!
*The information contained on this website/page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or substitute for medical, nutritional or acupuncture advice or treatment. Any reference to or mention of any particular diagnoses or dysfunctions is intended for informational purposes only and not an attempt to diagnose your particular problems. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medicine or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.
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