Acupuncture For Athletes
Many people overlook acupuncture as an option for athletic recovery and performance, even though it offers a variety of benefits for serious athletes and weekend warriors alike. Acupuncture was widely used and publicized in the 2008 Olympic games in China as a respected and effective method for injury prevention, treatment and pain relief, and continues to be used to treat athletes experiencing a variety of sports-related injuries.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief
When the fine Acupuncture needles are inserted into the corresponding points, the body is triggered to release endorphins, our bodies’ natural pain-relieving chemicals. These endorphins provide rapid—often long-lasting relief. Some patients experience a reduction in pain after only one Acupuncture treatment. According to The World Health Organization, “Acupuncture’s effective rate in the treatment of chronic pain is comparable with that of morphine.” Research is regularly being released indicating a positive correlation between Acupuncture and relief treatment.
Treating the pain directly at the site can also decrease inflammation, boost the immune system, and increase one’s range of motion. This can be a great, non-invasive option for pain relief, instead of a pain-medication regimen, which can mask the pain, become addictive or have other side effects.
Acupuncture and Circulation
Nitric oxide is created in the body when acupuncture points are activated. Nitric oxide causes constricted blood vessels to relax and to widen, opening up the arteries. The process allows for more blood flow to the heart and to the other organs, improving blood circulation and cardiovascular health. Fatigue, inflammation, strain, tightness, and soreness are eased when blood flow is increased in the body.
Acupuncture for Muscle Tension and Soreness
Muscular injuries happen when a muscle is overworked or cannot handle the load that is being placed on it. When muscles get tight they pull on their attaching structures which causes pain. When this happens, other muscles often have to compensate to make up for the lack of output in the tight muscle. This causes all kinds of imbalances in the muscular system.
Acupuncture can help relieve muscle tightness by identifying areas of muscle constriction and releasing them with an acupuncture needle. Releasing tight muscles with acupuncture returns the muscle closer to its normal length, and has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and increasing range of motion in the affected muscles. As the blood flow is increased through the body, tight muscles relax and inflammation reduces. Therefore, by relieving fatigue and strain, muscle soreness is alleviated.
Acupuncture and Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the body’s natural response to injuries, but if the condition persists it can lead to further damage. One well-researched effect of acupuncture is reducing inflammation throughout the body. Acupuncture can reduce inflammation by stimulating physiological pathways, such as the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, (or the HPA) which regulates the body’s stress response and plays a role in inflammation. In this way, Acupuncture stimulates the production of chemicals that reduce swelling and quiet over-active immune responses that result in systemic inflammation.
A Focused Mindset with Acupuncture
The pressures of competition or unassociated life stressors can affect both elite and amateur athletes. These emotions create a physiologic response in the body, which can increase heart rate and affect muscle coordination and timing, and influence athletic performance. Acupuncture techniques can be used to engage the parasympathetic nervous system to release chemicals in the brain which can help athletes maintain a focused mindset and relaxed body.
How Can Acupuncture Improve Recovery
Having regular treatments in between training sessions or after a race minimizes muscle fatigue and pain, enhances energy, and facilitates rapid recovery. It also promotes a deeper, more restful sleep allowing the muscle tissue to rebuild and for energy to be restored.
Common Sports Injuries Treated with Acupuncture
Shoulder pain
Upper back and neck pain
Elbow and wrist pain
Low back pain
Hip pain
Knee pain
Ankle and foot pain
Muscle tightness and soreness
Strains, sprains, and bruises
Inflammation from acute injuries or tendonitis
Post-surgical recovery