Acupuncture Sports Performance Enhancement
According to basic Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) theory, health is viewed as a balance between opposing forces (e.g. yin and yang) in the body. Forces that disrupt this balance are seen to move the body away from health and toward disease and poor function. Herbal medicines, diet, acupuncture, and exercise are all seen as ways to balance these forces to promote health and in the case of athletes, to improve performance. (https://www.acufinder.com/)
Sports medicine acupuncture has been shown to create higher endurance rates while keeping muscles in good condition, decreasing the number of injuries and recovery time, thereby leaving more overall injury free time and better performance in the athletes chosen path.
In a study showing the effect of acupuncture on 20-km cycling performance, 20 male cyclists underwent three tests a week, riding a stationary bike for 20km as fast as possible. Before each test they received acupuncture, “sham” acupuncture, and no intervention once each in a random order. It was found that the cyclists receiving acupuncture before their ride were able to achieve greater levels of exertion, with faster cycling times and experienced less pain as well (Clin J, Sport Med. 2008 Jan:18 (1):76-80).
Another case study done on a baseball pitcher who’s fastball would characteristically slow down after approximately 50 pitches, but with acupuncture intervention, although he was not able to increase his speed, was at least able to maintain the fastball speed.
Additional publications reveal the positive impact of acupuncture, which include immediate gains in strength, increased power, as well as improvements in flexibility.
Studies have shown that acupuncture has measurable effects on the flow of blood to certain areas of the body, which could in turn boost athletic performance. One such study conducted at the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine involved athletes running 5,000 meters, and then sitting for acupuncture treatments before they had a chance to catch their breath. The heart rates of the athletes who received the treatments recovered more quickly than those in the control group.
Another study published in the American Journal of Acupuncture measured the effects of acupuncture on anaerobic threshold and work capacity during exercise in healthy young males. Researchers found that individuals in the acupuncture treatment group had higher maximal exercise capacity and were able to perform higher workloads at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) than individuals in the placebo group. The individuals that received acupuncture also had lower heart rates. (Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM)
With Sports Acupuncture’s approach you can enjoy quicker injury recovery, prevention of injury and other illnesses, better performance, and a body more equipped to handle day to day stress. All while recovering quicker while training or competing. Now that’s a winning combination!
Get Acupuncture Sports Performance Enhancement in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida
AcuSportsTherapy is a top sports acupuncture Delray Beach clinic that helps people reach their highest potential for peak performance in life and sports. Holly Green, founder of AcuSportsTherapy, incorporates principles from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Sports Medicine to view the patient’s injury from a truly integrated perspective. Contact us to learn how we can help you recover faster, prevent recurring injury, perform at your highest level, and sleep better.