Sports Acupuncture
What is Sports Acupuncture?
Sports acupuncture is a specialized field that integrates orthopedic therapy with Eastern Medicine practices in order to address the injuries and conditions frequently experienced by athletes. This particular branch of acupuncture focuses on understanding motor and trigger points, utilizing the principles of traditional Chinese medicine to promote healing and restoration.
While athletes are often seen as indestructible, they are not exempt from sports-related injuries, pain, or stress. In spite of their healthy routines and the endorphins they release, athletes frequently experience muscle problems such as strains, sprains, tension, and other ailments.
These treatments are aimed to rebalance and maintain muscle health by targeting specific points in the body. These therapeutic sessions provide immediate relief for tense muscles and enhance the strength of weaker ones, promoting symmetry in both energy flow and physical structure.
Benefits of Sports Acupuncture?
Athletes can experience various health advantages from sports acupuncture. These include:
a shorter recovery period after injuries
improved flexibility in muscles and joints
improved mobility and functionality of muscles and joints
reduced pain and inflammation
enhanced muscle strength and functionality
relief from muscle spasms
relaxation and stress reduction
stimulation of the immune system
as well as increased endurance and athletic performance.
How Does it Work?
Lets first break down some of the methods used in Sports Acupuncture. Each practitioner will vary their technique.
Trigger Points
Trigger points are specific, concentrated, hypersensitive areas found within a tense group of muscles. They generate pain in the immediate area as well as in other parts of the body and frequently occur alongside persistent musculoskeletal conditions.
Eastern medicine refers to points in the muscle known as Trigger Points, where pain is present or causes referred pain. In Chinese medical theory, these trigger points are referred to as "ah shi" points - tender areas of the body. Various factors can contribute to the development of trigger points, including acute injury, wear and tear, or energy blockages.
When energy blocks occur, they can lead to the formation of tight knots or bands in the muscle. This results in tension and discomfort. The flow of blood and energy within these areas becomes hindered, leading to involuntary muscle dysfunction and pain.
Motor Points
Motor points are defined in terms of their electrophysiological properties. These points represent the areas with the highest muscle excitability or the spots on the skin where even a small electrical stimulus can trigger muscle contraction. Additionally, motor points can also be identified as specific locations on the muscles where contractions occur in response to minimal intensity and brief duration stimulation. The efficacy of acupuncture on Motor Points for Athletic Support has been elucidated by Western Science. When a motor point is stimulated with an acupuncture needle, it works like pressing a "reset" button. By placing the needle in the appropriate location, the energy of the muscle is recalibrated, restoring it to its normal state.
Electric Stimulation
Electro Stimulation aka E-Stim has gain traction in the Acupuncture community especially when it comes to Sports Acupuncture. Adding e-Stim to a treatment can be very beneficial when it comes to recovery. A range of specific frequencies selected by your Acupuncturist are used to achieve results ranging from musculoskeletal injuries to inflammation reduction.
Instead of manual stimulation, this technique utilizes electro-stimulation for treating various diseases. Electrical muscle stimulation, also referred to as neuromuscular electrical stimulation or electromyostimulation, is a method that induces muscle contractions through electric impulses.
The way e-stim therapy works involves the insertion of acupuncture needles into selected points of the body, followed by connecting leads to the needles. Although the set up looks similar to tens unit, it is by far a different type of therapy because the needle insertion along with the e-stim are able to penetrate beyond the surface and yield far better results.
Cupping aka Myofascial Decompression
In addition to acupuncture, Sports Acupuncture incorporates various other techniques. Cupping is one of the most widely used and effective methods. You might recall seeing Micheal Phelps showcasing his gold medal with visible cupping marks during the Olympics. The addition of cupping to acupuncture can have a profound impact on both the body and mind, providing relaxation and even helping with stress and anxiety. Cupping is known for its ability to improve blood flow and circulation, thereby alleviating pain in stagnant areas. Moreover, it has been proven effective in clearing toxins from the body and reducing inflammation.
Other various therapies that may be included
While every practitioner will practice as they see fit for their patient don’t be surprised if they pull out gua sha tools, moxibustion, recommend herbal liniment, poultices, do active cupping, stretching or even some body work aid in the treatment.
Sports Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment for athletic conditions because it encourages free flow of blood and energy while promoting tissue regeneration. By enhancing circulation, it helps alleviate pain by promoting muscle relaxation and healing processes.
If Sports Acupuncture seems to be what you’re looking for in a treatment contact us to set up a personalized consultation to gain more insight.
