Athletes & Acupuncture
Athletes are creatures of habit and perseverance. They strive to improve by continuously practicing and perfecting form and increasing endurance. The key to being a world-class athlete lies in the individual’s ability to RECOVER from training and competitions. For these reasons many athletes around the globe have found acupuncture to be a key to athletic success and achievement. But…how can acupuncture be effective in performance and recovery????
First it improves blood flow: Acupuncture needles activate the acupuncture points; they create an increase of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to relax and to widen, opening the arteries. The process allows for more blood flow to the heart and to the other organs improving blood circulation and cardiovascular health.
Second: Acupuncture relaxes muscles: As blood flow is increased throughout the body, tight muscles relax, and inflammation reduces. Therefore, relieving fatigue and strain within the muscular system.
Thirdly: Acupuncture prevents injury and treatment is essential to recovery. Acupuncture promotes neurological and cardiovascular balance, which supports homeostasis or balance within the body—therefore preventing injury. Should injury arise, the treatments regulate nerve conduction and microcirculation in the area of inflammation to speed up the healing process.
Fourth: Acupuncture can be used to regulate the nervous system, which helps to improve energy and endurance allowing for enhanced athletic performance. A boost in energy and endurance can occur by removing blockages and increasing the flow of energy.
Fifth: Having regular treatments in between training sessions and after a competition 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 ailments acupuncture treats:
- Shoulder tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis and impingement syndrome
- Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and elbow bursitis
- Hip bursitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Biceps tendonitis
- Sprained ankles
- MCL & ACL sprains
- Deep contusions
Works Cited:
Yingyanghouse.com
Posted In:
Chiropractic
Sports Injury
Acupuncture
