7 Reasons Why Athletes Should Try Acupuncture

In recent years, athletes have been relying on acupuncture more and more to not only heal the body properly and efficiently but to also prevent future injuries as well. There many benefits of acupuncture which allows athletes to perform at their peak performance, regardless of the sport. Listed below are the many benefits of acupuncture that will help an athlete improve their performance and gain the upper edge against their competition.

Acupuncture Helps Manage Pain

The carefully placed needles during an acupuncture treatment session allows the body to trigger the nervous system, telling it to flood specific areas with endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. Instead of relying on drugs and over-the-counter medications that can harm the body with prolonged use and possibly tainted with banned substances within an athletic commission, acupuncture can deliver similar, if not better results in relieving pain.

Reduced Recovery Time from Injuries

By the increased blood and lymphatic circulation to the area of the injury, as well as the relaxing the tightened muscles and tendons of the affected, acupuncture can help increase the healing time from injuries. Acupuncture has also been well known to reduce inflammation and swelling and is also known to reduce the symptoms of DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

Improved Stamina and Boosted Immune System

More recent studies show that acupuncture can actually increase the level of T-cells in your body, strengthening your immune system. These cells in your body work to trigger the immune system to fight off potential infections. This will help you continue to perform at the high level you would like to by missing fewer workouts and training sessions.

Better Flexibility

Acupuncture treatments helps to increase your range of motion and flexibility. This happens by reducing muscle tension by loosening the muscle fascia and increasing blood circulation to the body. The end result of loose muscles includes relief of muscle spasms, improved circulation, and decrease in inflammation and swelling. By targeting specific vectors of the body, not only do athletes worry about their chronic muscle tightness, their mobility along with their flexibility will increase, allowing better athletic performance against the competition.

Sleep Quality Improvement

Say goodnight to daytime fatigue and decreased performance in your training. Acupuncture helps improve sleeping patterns and quality. It works by regulating levels of serotonin and cortisol, hormones that help control sleep. Cortisol is what’s responsible for allowing you to wake up each morning, as well as keeping you active during the day. Serotonin on the other hand, helps to improve your sleep quality and rest more, so you get a better night’s sleep each night. This gives your body the time to rebuild and repair itself so it is ready to tackle the upcoming day’s challenges.

Increasing Your Focus by Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Acupuncture helps to reduce stress and anxiety. The regulation of your cortisol levels combined with the stimulation of endorphin release, allows you to feel less stressed each day and put more focus on your training.

Prevention of New Injuries

By turning to acupuncture, you are allowing your body to reduce the healing time of minor injuries before they become more serious. It not only protects old injuries from reoccurring but prevents new injuries from happening due to increased mobility and flexibility of your body (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) and re- aligning the body to its proper place. By having your body in a properly aligned and flexible position, there is less stress on a specific body part that can be prone to injury but also optimizes the body’s motion mechanics to be performed at high and efficient manner.