Athletes – Acupuncture Therapy For Pain
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is the key and future of high sports performance. Athletes receiving acupuncture therapy for pain including treatments for soft tissue injuries such as sprains, back and knee pain, muscle strains, and tendonitis see improvement in the time it takes to heal.
For athletes participating in both high intensity training and competition, acupuncture is helping them to recovery from fatigue, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and contracture.
A study performed on elite male cyclists who compete in 20 km races found that those receiving acupuncture therapy for pain found a significant increase in performance plus a lowered rating perceived exertion (RPE). Additional studies demonstrate a favorable impact of acupuncture on immediate gains in strength, increased power, and improved flexibility.
Famous athletes using acupuncture include Kobe Bryant, Michael Pietrus, Jason Hammel, and many of the olympic athletes.
The body and mind are called upon to perform at a high level of intensity during events, placing a large amount of stress on the body. If not supported correctly the athlete can find:
- Their performances declining instead of advancing
- Repeated or extended periods of sickness hampers training and event results
- Nagging aches and pains and minor injuries don’t heal
To stay healthy and to enhance performance results the athlete needs to support their bodies and mind through appropriate training, nutrition, rest, replenishing activities, acupuncture, bodywork, and herbal medicine.
Chinese Medicine:
- Assists your body in adapting to increasing exercise levels
- Supports your immune system, key to staying healthy while training
- Speeds recovery from injury
- Decreases inflammation
- Reduces swelling
- Relaxes muscles and relieves spasms
- Decreases bruising
- Lowers the body’s pain response
- Improves local blood circulation to increase delivery of nutrients and removal of noxious elements
- Addresses those nagging aches and pains
- Assists in building Qi, blood, and fluids
Athletes use large amounts of Qi, blood, and fluids and the more intense the activity the greater the quantity used. It is necessary to balance these vigorous activities with actions that replenish the Qi, blood, and fluids otherwise the body is always struggling to return to balance and hence can be weakened and susceptible to injury and illness.
Replenishing actions include appropriate food intake, the use of herbs specific to a particular athletes needs, rest and activities like Qi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation, which allow the body to recuperate. Qi Gong, Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi done in a gentle format and with focused movement of the body and presence of mind both build and flow the Qi, blood, and fluids of the body assisting in restoring balance.
Acupuncture therapy for pain has a very successful record with sports injuries both acute and chronic situations. Many professional sports teams have acupuncturists on staff to decrease healing times and resolve stubborn ailments. But the use of acupuncture to treat acute injuries from intense or repetitive physical activity began centuries ago. It is one of the primary means of quick healing for the martial arts.
Contact the Oriental Healing Clinic where the benefits of Oriental Medicine and the western science of sports nutrition and sports physiology are utilized to support athletes.
Testimonials
Acupuncture has helped me in more ways than I expected. It has greatly assisted me in managing my chronic neck pain, however, Juanita has also been able to assist me in dealing with emotional issues, with continued work stress, and with occasional digestive problems. I recommend Juanita’s services without reservation to anyone dealing with chronic pain, stress and/or emotional issues. Kristen – Tri athlete & Marketing Manager