Forget the ice. Forgo the heat. Surgery? No way!. There is a better way to treat injuries and boost your athletic performance — it’s called acupuncture. Used for centuries in China, today’s athletes are seeing the benefits of using this form of alternative medicine as a road to quicker recovery and better health.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that is effective in managing pain, reducing inflammation and treating all sorts of athletic injuries. From sprains to tears, acupuncture helps rebalance the body and increase its ability to heal.

The process is simple. Acupuncture uses dozens of tiny needles to penetrate the body’s natural meridians (energy sources) to promote better health and healing. The human body has 2,000 of these meridians, and each is connected to a specific organ or system. When the needle penetrates certain areas, it sends energy to the affected area, allowing the body to concentrate healing there.

How Does Acupuncture Benefit Athletes?

Whether an athlete chooses to use acupuncture alone to treat minor injuries and boost their overall performance, or in conjunction with traditional medical practices, the fact remains that it does work. From tennis players, swimmers and runners to professional football players, some of the world’s greatest athletes now undergo regular acupuncture treatments to help them control pain and heal faster.

Acupuncture is a great non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical way to aid athletic healing by:

Controlling pain. When acupuncture needles are inserted into the skin, the body releases natural endorphins (pain killers) to help reduce and manage pain. Offering virtually no side effects and plenty of benefits, acupuncture works to reduce inflammation while increasing your range of motion, even during injury recovery.

Relaxing muscles. Athletes often experience muscle soreness from tension. Acupuncture helps improve blood flow, which helps to relax tightened muscles.

Improving cardiovascular health. Acupuncture needles are inserted into specific pressure points, improving your blood flow improves and thereby increasing your circulation. This translates to an overall improvement of your cardiovascular health.

How Acupuncture Improves Athletic Performance

Athletes are always looking for ways to boost their performance. Acupuncture is a safe way to accomplish this goal. How? Acupuncture helps to balance the body and retain perfect homeostasis. When the body is aligned as it should be, sustaining an injury that will inhibit your performance is much less likely.

Energy levels can be increased which also helps to boost an athlete’s endurance. Acupuncture helps to regulate the nervous system and break down energy blockages. This offers bursts of energy and increases endurance on the playing field.

How Long Does it Take to Work?

One of the biggest benefits of acupuncture is the fact that it offers instantaneous results. About 90 percent of athletes who utilize acupuncture report feeling better immediately. Plus, recovery continues for as long as 48 hours as the endorphins released during the session continue flowing, allowing muscles to continue to rebuild.

Finding the Right Acupuncture Therapist

To find out more about how acupuncture can help boost your athletic performance, contact Anthos Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic today. Our trained professional staff can answer all of your questions and set you up with a qualified specialist right away.