Acupuncture for Athletes

Acupuncture for Athletes

Acupuncture has been used for centuries in the East as an holistic treatment for injuries.  With its adaption into mainstream medicine it is now considered an effective complimentary treatment for any athlete, pro or weekend warrior who sustains an injury.  Many sports clubs and sporting events have access to acupuncturists for injury treatment, as well as athletic performance enhancement and decreasing recovery times. 

At Align we consider each individuals energetic constitution, the level and severity of injury, stage of healing, and emphasise recovery exercises, diet and lifestyle which all play a part in addition to a single or a series of acupuncture treatments. 

Pain Relief
The needles stimulate the acupuncture points; the body releases endorphins, a natural painkiller. The endorphins provide rapid—often long-lasting relief—and patients usually feel the results after one treatment. Working at the source of the pain helps decrease inflammation, increases range of motion, and boosts the immune system. Acupuncture is a medically effective alternative for pain relief without the harmful side effects.

Improved Blood Flow
The needles create an increase of nitric oxide in the body which causes blood vessels to relax and widen, allowing for more blood flow to the heart and to other organs improving blood circulation and cardiovascular health.

Muscle Relaxation
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.

Injury Prevention and Treatment
Acupuncture promotes neurological and cardiovascular balance, which supports homeostasis in the body—therefore preventing injury. Should injury arise, the treatments regulate nerve conduction and micro-circulation in the area of inflammation to speed up the healing process.

Energy and Endurance Enhancement
Acupuncture can be used to regulate the nervous system, which helps to improve energy and endurance allowing for enhanced athletic performance. Also, by addressing the acupuncture sites related to the liver and lung function along with the digestive systems, a boost in energy and endurance can occur by removing blockages and increasing the flow of qi (energy).

Rapid Recovery
Regular treatments in between and after training sessions/matches/games or races can minimize muscle fatigue and pain, enhance 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.

Acupuncture treats the following common traumatic injuries:

·         Tears and strains of the rotator cuff

·         Strains and sprains of the wrist

·         Strains and sprains of the ankle

·         Sciatica

Common Over-Use Injuries Acupuncture Treats:

·         Shoulder tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis and impingement syndrome

·         Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and elbow bursitis

·         Wrist tendonitis

·         Hip bursitis

·         Achilles tendonitis

·         Iliotibial band syndrome

·         Knee arthritis

Contact Acupuncturist  Dr. Bonnie Lambert at Align for appointments.  As a lifelong athlete herself, she enjoys treating sports injuries and has great success in managing pain and improving performance.