The effectiveness of acupressure in decreasing pain and anxiety in injured athletes

INTERVENTION: Group 1. “True acupressure” – will receive 3 min of acupressure treatment on predefined acu‐point (LI 4‐Hegu) for general anaesthesia. This point have been traditionally used to treat pain and anxiety. Group 2. “sham acupressure” – will receive 3 min of pressure on sham point (on the palm, proximal to the second MCP joint at the head of the second metacarpal bone). Group 3. “no‐treatment group” – no pressure on any points. The intervention group (1) will recieve the intervention only on one occasion and within 72 hours of the initial injury occurence. CONDITION: Anxiety Musculoskeletal sports injury Pain PRIMARY OUTCOME: >20 mm decrease in anxiety on 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) >20 mm decrease in pain on 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Overall satisfaction of treatment on Likert scale INCLUSION CRITERIA: People presenting to Otago Sports Injury Clinic with minor and moderate acute sports injuries requiring analgesia.