Acupuncture and the Athlete

Enhance Your Workouts, Decrease Recovery Time and Stay Healthier, Longer.You may have heard rumors or come across videos or photos online of elite athletes usingacupuncture (and cupping) to enhance their performance and speed up recovery. It is veryexciting that the effectiveness of acupuncture is starting to become more recognized in theathletic community. Acupuncture fits in really well with newer models of sustainable health andwellness because in the last decade, culturally, we have started to move away from the ideathat being healthy revolves around fixing things once injuries or ailments have alreadyoccurred, and instead, approaching health from an overall sustainable and preventativestandpoint. We are embracing the idea that to be healthy requires a continuous commitmentand intention. Athletes tend to already have a dedication to being healthier so acupuncture isan easy addition to that wellness model.How does acupuncture work?Acupuncture works on the energetic level of the body (the Qi � pronounced �chi�), or energychannels called meridians. There are many meridians in the body- such as the Liver or Lungmeridian and each one has a specific function and location. During a treatment anacupuncturist looks for key signs and symptoms of any imbalances with how your energy ismoving through the body and then chooses key acupuncture points on different meridians tofix the issue. The needles used are very thin and typically don�t cause any pain. Patients rest onthe table for about 15 minutes and most people feel incredibly relaxed afterwards. Additionally,at my practice, I add cupping or fascial release massage before the needles are inserted toamplify the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment.How does acupuncture enhance performance?Acupuncture is very effective for a few key things:1) reducing body pain and inflammation2) increasing circulation, which speeds up healing3) loosening muscles4) feeling more grounded and balanced in the body5) soothing the nervous system for things like stress, anxiety, or an overactive mind.Athletes who use acupuncture in conjunction with workouts or sports report an overall feelingof better physical balance since areas of pain and tension, which are usually held on only oneside of the body have been loosened up and resolved. They also notice more range of motiondue to looser muscles and a reduction of any inflammation that may have been present. Finally,they tend to have a feeling of more groundedness and focus, enhancing their performance witheach work out.How does acupuncture speed up recovery time?Acupuncture is so effective when it comes to reducing pain and inflammation and enhancingblood flow, and as a result the body heals and feels better faster. Many people come into mypractice before starting or after completing a half or full marathon, after intense workouts, or ifthey feel restricted in movements or in pain. Across the board, patients report feeling less sore,being in less pain, sleeping better, feeling less tight and overall feeling looser in their bodies.Beyond this, patients who receive acupuncture tend to carry less stress due to their nervoussystems being turned down and therefore sleep much deeper which allows the body to trulyheal. Further, since Chinese medicine is a holistic form of medicine, we take into account theentire person not just specific injuries, goals or restrictions. This leads to having biggerconversations about lifestyle, emotional well-being, sustainable health and strategies toconsider in order to optimize the full person. This ultimately leads to better habits that allowsomeone to heal quickly day to day with the added amplification of acupuncture treatments.Did you know acupuncture is covered by insurance?Many people don�t realize it but if you have good health insurance there is a high likelihoodthat you have acupuncture benefits. What is nice about acupuncture versus physical therapy ormassage is that you don�t need a referral to be able to use your acupuncture benefits. You canjust book an appointment and as long as you have benefits, you can use them.Acupuncture is a wonderful modality that not only enhances people�s workouts and fitnessgoals but also their lives. Although the process of acupuncture may be intimidating at first,since it�s a foreign type of body work and involves needles, patients are usually pleasantlysurprised by the ease of the acupuncture process. Beyond that, people tend to be veryimpressed by the effectiveness and positive impact that acupuncture can have on your physicaland emotional body. If you are trying to optimize your health, don�t wait any longer, tryacupuncture today!You can book a FREE 30-minute consultation to learn more about how acupuncture can benefityou at www.seattleacupunctureandcoaching.com or you can find me on Instagram@seattleacupunctureandcoachingTo your health,Ben Dorfman, LAc, PCCOwner/Practitioner of Seattle Acupuncture and Coaching