Athletes of all levels ponder the question: how do I improve my performance? Answer: Acupuncture. Thousands of years old, this effective and proven Chinese treatment has been praised for its medicinal properties of healing and recovery.
NFL and NBA athletes, professional tennis players and dancers, and elite triathletes swear by the results of this time-tested therapy. So how are these tiny needles actually making a difference and improving athletic performance? We’ll break it down to you:
On-Going Acupuncture Promotes Recovery
Recovery is the name of the game for successful training. Acupuncture relaxes and re-energizes your over-worked muscles and joints by stimulating cortisol: a natural anti-inflammatory hormone that your adrenal glands produce.This can also help improve your sleep. A study found that acupuncture helps regulate both daytime and nighttime cycles – promoting more energy during the day and more restful sleep at night. This will speed up your recovery time.
Acupuncture Provides Healing for Injuries
Acupuncture soothes compromised areas, injured muscles, bones, tendons, soft tissue and internal organs, by stimulating nerves and releasing natural chemicals that help relieve pain, like endorphins and serotonin. This opens restricted or obstructed paths where an injury has blocked the healthy flow of energy.
Helps Increase Endurance and Stamina
Acupuncture can improve your athletic performance by pinpointing the areas of your body that encourage tonification.
You will have more energy for training/events and a more efficient recovery. It will improve your maximum heart rate, increase your oxygen consumption and help with lactic acid buildup and removal.
Tonification (def): increase the available energy of an organ, part, or system of the body.
Acupuncture Stimulates Microcirculation
The body has over 400 acupuncture points, where microcirculation can occur. Microcirculation reduces swelling, heat and pain while promoting tissue repair that leads to new cell growth throughout your body.
Microcirculation (def): a sponge-like squeezing out of old blood cells and replenishment of new cells. This method creates a fresh flow of blood, boosting injured areas with oxygenated healthy cells.
Acupuncture Boosts Your Immune System
Just living in today’s world practically guarantees that your immune system is compromised - stress, bad food, environmental pollutants.
Acupuncture encourages production of white blood cells in your immune cell that act as a defense mechanism against outside organisms. White blood cells fight infections, autoimmune disorders and allergic reactions.
A strong immune system means a stronger body. More days to train, and less days needed for recovery.
Make an appointment to discuss your health issues and challenges. Let’s put you on the fast track to healing and an improved performance.
Dr. Hilary Patzer is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist in Minnesota. She is a two-time NCAA Division 1 All American Nordic Ski Racer and raced with the U.S. Ski Team for 3 years. As a competitive skier, Hilary over-trained and acupuncture was the one thing that brought her back to a whole, healthy person and athlete. She went on to compete at Ironman World Championships and in two Boston Marathons. Her competitive experiences provide her with unique understanding of what pushing the body to its limit means and how acupuncture can aid the athlete’s body. You can learn more about Hilary at jadastudios.com.
