Both professional and amateur athletes frequently suffer from all kinds of setbacks during their training and competition. These can range from niggling to serious injuries, muscle spasms, exhausting workouts and even anxiety during decisive tournaments.
There are numerous strategies to address these issues, but most involve conventional medication or injections that can be harmful to the body. There are however other healing methods such as pressing acupuncture points and physiotherapy that can be just as beneficial, but with fewer or even no side effects.
Today we’re going to take a deeper look at acupuncture and how it can help active athletes, as well as everyone else.
What Exactly is Acupuncture?
We’ve all heard of acupuncture and its main principles, but there’s more to it than just inserting needles through the skin.
According to traditional acupuncture practitioners, a life force known as “Qi” flows through meridians in our bodies. When Qi is no longer able to move freely, it can result in an imbalance within the body and possible illness. Through accessing specific acupuncture points by inserting thin needles to various depths in the skin, sensory nerves and muscles are stimulated to release pain-relieving endorphins and restore balance.
Numerous studies show that acupuncture benefits many conditions, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and bone and muscle pain by both boosting circulation and fighting inflammation.
What are the Benefits of Acupuncture?
- Treats Pain and Prevents Injuries
Athletes inevitably face all sorts of pain. Practice shows that acupuncture benefits neck, knee, elbow and low back pain, and osteoarthritis in general. Moreover, many individuals use it to treat muscle cramps, sciatica, headaches and migraines. Regular acupuncture sessions may also prevent future injuries and mishaps.
- Boosts Blood Circulation
It’s thought that acupuncture increases nitric oxide that dilates blood vessels, thus improving blood circulation to the organs. This leads to increased oxygen levels that not only enhance performance, but also speeds up the recovery process. Both of these effects are crucial for all active sportsmen and women.
- Reduces Anxiety and Boosts Mental Clarity
Every athlete knows that possessing a clear mind and focus during competitions is just as critical as physical preparation and stamina. Accessing specific acupuncture points can reduce stress hormones, relieve mental pressure and lead to a peaceful state of mind, having a positive impact on how they perform.
How Many Sessions will I Need?
Upon your first visit, certified professionals at every acupuncture clinic will develop an individual plan tailored towards your body’s needs and characteristics. If you suffer from a specific injury, the number of sessions will vary depending on the complexity of the problem.
While almost all patients experience a notable improvement after the first session, some chronic conditions will require a number of treatments over a few weeks.
Of course, many athletes turn to acupuncture without suffering from a specific condition. Instead, they use the method to speed up the recovery process after training and boost athletic performance.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Since acupuncture needles are as thin as 0.25mm, most patients don’t feel anything other than negligible pressure on their skin. While sometimes it can cause temporary soreness depending on the person’s skin, acupuncture sessions are almost entirely painless.
Make sure you’re only turning to certified professionals at a licensed acupuncture clinic to avoid any sort of complications during your sessions.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Whether you’re an active athlete looking to treat an injury, or simply looking to find relief from existing aches and pains, My Physio Sports & Rehab Center is here for you! Our highly trained staff specialize in acupuncture and numerous physiotherapeutic methods that can benefit all sorts of nerve and muscle ailments.
To learn more about the services offered at our acupuncture clinic, book your next appointment online or call us today on 905.850.6683.