How Acupuncture Can Help Athletes

Acupuncture is a widely used technique for pain relief and wellness. Where we see it helping athletes is with treating joint or muscular pain associated with sports-related injuries.

Acupuncture is a form of therapy and alternative medicine procedure based on the insertion of thin and specific needles into certain points on people´s bodies at various depths. Being a fundamental component of traditional Chinese medicine, it is based on different philosophies and techniques.

By taking advantage of the energy that travels through the body, acupuncture uses approximately 350 points to achieve the proper balance of internal forces that sometimes can be disrupted.

In a recent research, neuroscience was used as a method to explain acupuncture, taking the previous-mentioned energy points as stimulation points of muscles, nerves, and connective tissue. This stimulus should increase blood circulation and activate the body´s natural painkillers.

By inserting the needles into the acupuncture point, they increased the amount of nitric oxide in the body, which causes the relaxation and widening of blood vessels. This process opens up the arteries, allowing more blood to flow to the desired areas, reducing inflammation and increasing relaxation.

Acupuncture is used for its neural regulation properties, improving energy and endurance, two elements needed for achieving an enhanced athletic performance. Besides, it promotes neurological and cardiovascular balance, supporting the body´s homeostasis and preventing injuries. And if the injury should happen, this technique facilitates rapid recovery.

Overall, acupuncture is capable of helping athletes in many ways, from preventing to treating injuries. If you are interested in learning how acupuncture can help enhance your sports performance, email us at cecilia@ceciliaho.ca or call 905.492.8688 to schedule a free consultation!