The Function of Acupuncture in Sports Injuries and Athletic Performance

Sports injuries are most typically caused by trauma (from a fall or blow) or  overuse/misuse of particular muscle tissues along with the neighboring  structures, which includes ligaments and tendons. The acupuncturist usually sees  sports injuries such as pulled muscles, strains, sprains, shin splints, Achilles  tendonitis and numerous manifestations of inflammation and pain that can hold  the injured athlete out with the game.

Acupuncture is utilized correctly  to lessen the discomfort and inflammation of sports injuries. It has also been  shown to improve array of motion and accelerate healing time. Acupuncture is  usually employed at any stage of an injury: to prevent, to treat acute  discomfort, swelling and spasms, and to address conditions that make athletes  vulnerable to re-injury. Studies have shown that acupuncture increases blood  circulation to particular regions of the physique, which not simply promotes  healing of sports injuries but could also enhance athletic efficiency.

A  study performed in the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in  which athletes received acupuncture after operating three miles revealed quicker  heart price recovery than those in the handle group.

The American  Journal of Acupuncture published a study that examined the effects of  acupuncture on anaerobic threshold and perform capacity throughout exercising.  Researchers found that people that received acupuncture not only had decrease  heart prices, but had greater maximal workout capacity and had been able to  handle higher workloads at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) than  these within the placebo group.

 

The January 2008 challenge in the Clinical Journal of EverYoung  Medical Aesthetics Centre Vancouver the effects of acupuncture on  cyclists. Participants have been divided into three groups that either received  acupuncture, sham acupuncture or no acupuncture prior to periods of  high-intensity cycling. The study revealed that the group who received  acupuncture that adhered to the principles of Regular Chinese Medicine had a  larger performance scores and rode faster than their counterparts.

The  nicer Spring weather here in Philadelphia lends itself to more outdoor  activities. If preexisting or new injuries are hindering your training or  recreational goals, acupuncture and Chinese medicine should be considered a  viable option for a speedy recovery.

Sharon Sherman is a Licensed  Practitioner of Oriental Medicine (L.OM.), specializing in Acupuncture, Chinese  Herbology and Oriental Medicine. Sharon is the founder of Empirical Point, LLC.  a private practice with offices in the Mt. Airy and Center City neighborhoods of  Philadelphia. Sharon graduated with honors and holds a Masters of Science degree  in Oriental Medicine from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York, NY.  Sharon is Board certified as a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine by the National  Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.