Acupuncture and the Athlete

Since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where Acupuncture was given to the athletes and officials in the Olympic Village, Acupuncture has become increasingly more popular in the United States. While it has been used for thousands of years and is a main source of healing for 1/3 of the population of the planet, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are relatively new to the Western world. One of the main areas of focus, at this time, seems to be on pain management and rehabilitation. This ancient medicine is a valuable tool in helping the modern athlete to overcome injuries (with minimal to no pain medications), support the body during training and to perform at peak levels during competitions.

Many people have used Acupuncture to treat chronic pain, but its ability to treat acute trauma is what can make the difference in an athlete being in the game or sitting on the bench. Instead of popping pills or getting a shot to mask the pain, acupuncture can give you drug-free, natural pain relief. Acupuncture causes the body to release opioid-like endorphins. These are your body’s natural painkillers. Using this natural pain relief, acupuncture also expedites the healing process by reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system. The response of acupuncture to tendon and ligament sprains, which are common for athletes of all levels, has been overwhelmingly positive. Remember, pain is your body’s way of telling you there’s a problem. Taking drugs to mask the pain can exasperate the condition and create permanent damage.

A key component in training is recovery. Every serious athlete knows how important it is to rest between training sessions and competitions. Most acupuncture patients report getting their best night of sleep on the days they have acupuncture treatments. In general, those that come regularly claim to sleep deeper and feel more rested upon waking. A good nights sleep is imperative for rebuilding the muscle tissue and restoring energy. Acupuncture can play a vital role in an athletes training. Regular treatments can support the athlete’s body during training to help build muscle and promote liver glycogen storage.

Being able to go into a competition as injury free as possible is essential to an athlete. Using acupuncture during training to heal those aches, pains, strains and sprains can make all the difference between winning and losing. Also, the mental and emotion challenges of competition can easily change the results of an event. Beyond the grueling physical challenges of competition, an athlete must have inner strength and confidence to prevail. Acupuncture has the ability to lower stress and anxiety, keep the athlete focused and remove psychological obstacles, which may prevent them from attaining victory.

Acupuncture is used to help prevent injuries and aid the body in healing more quickly, which in turn can lead to the body performing at peak levels. Whether you’re a weekend athlete, Olympic athlete or somewhere in-between, acupuncture is a safe, all natural way to help you lead a healthy life and achieve your goals.