Ways Acupuncture Can Enhance Athletic Performance

acupuncture for athletes

Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncturists use thin, sterile needles, inserted into specific areas of our body. This will stimulate blood flow and speed up the recovery of a variety of ailments and conditions. It can also be used as an alternative treatment for joint pain, unbalanced hormones, headaches, and weakened immune systems.

This supplemental therapy is popular among athletes, and is often integrated into their wellness programs. It has helped many athletes stay in peak physical condition. In fact, both professional and recreational athletes can use acupuncture because it may help them boost their athletic performance.

Here are some of the most common benefits of acupuncture:

Boost recovery

As an athlete, it is beneficial to recover quickly from injuries. Although acupuncture won’t put back together a torn muscle, it may help speed up the healing process for sprains, strains, muscle soreness and tendonitis by decreasing inflammation and increasing blood flow to the affected area.

Therefore, treatments can reduce the need for rest days, which many athletes need after an intense game or event. So if you have an intense workout and you feel that your muscles are sore, getting acupuncture after your training may help loosen up the muscles and decrease soreness.

Improve flexibility

Acupuncture may also improve flexibility, which could help decrease tension and increase muscle activation. For this purpose, many practitioners use motor point acupuncture. Using thin needles on several motor points on our body regulates the blood flow to that area and deactivates a tight muscle. Motor point acupuncture may also reactivate an inhibited or weak muscle.

May provide immediate pain relief

Acupuncture may also provide relief from a variety of aches and pains. It is a safe alternative treatment with no known side effects, unlike many drugs and other pain relievers. Although the results may differ from person to person, some people feel a positive difference right after their first session. Others may feel better for a few hours after their treatment session, and the effects can last for several days.

Acupuncture can help prevent injury

Acupuncture can also be used as a preventative measure against injury. While most athletes know that it is essential to stretch before they do their training and competitions, it may also be beneficial to explore additional benefits through acupuncture, as it may further reduce the possibility of injuries. In addition, acupuncture may decrease muscle tension and reactivate weak muscles, giving athletes more protection against injuries including torn muscles.

Overall, sports acupuncturists aim to bring back balance to the body by understanding the patterns presented in each sports-specific injury and movement. This allows practitioners to help athletes with faster recovery, optimal athletic performance and injury prevention.

Ways Acupuncture Can Enhance Athletic Performance