More athletes, both casual weekend warriors and professional athletes are turning to holistic and naturopathic doctors and therapies for: prevention of injury, recovery time, nutritional support and to improve their performance.
From Olympic athletes, such as Gold Medalist Swimmer Michael Phelps who uses acupuncture and one of their modalities, cupping, to professional sports teams, such as the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, who have a naturopathic doctor on staff, athletes are seeking safe and effective treatments for elite performance to optimal health.
Dr. Masahiro Takakura, ND, DC, Lac is the first naturopathic doctor and chiropractor to travel and treat MLB players for a full season. He currently is the naturopathic and chiropractic consultant for the Seattle Mariners.
“When you do acupuncture, we’re using the flow of energy to break up the stagnation,” said Abe Rummage, Lac. “With cups, it’s actual physical manipulation of the tissue. Even though it causes a little bit of bruising it actually helps your body break up deeper bruises that have been caused by trauma,” such as surgery.
Cupping is best used for anything that’s painful, inflammation, muscle tension, bruising, says Rummage.
When athletes, or anyone trains hard, they have muscle breakdown and you want to do everything you can to flush out lactic acid. Then you want to bring blood back to the muscles and tissues so you can workout the next day.
Research shows that acupuncture can effectively treat sports injuries such as strains, sprains, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle pain, swollen muscles and shin splints.
Acupuncture improves the body’s function and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific anatomic sites, commonly referred to as acupuncture points. Research has also shown an improved quality of sleep. Acupuncture helps control the hormones cortisol and serotonin giving your body a chance to repair, rebuild and revitalize.
Acupuncture boosts level of T-cells. These are highly specialized cells of the immune system to help fight off infection. Acupuncture has shown to also have calming effects and may help reduce stress, anxiety and panic disorder symptoms.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization promotes acupuncture as “A safe and effective tool in managing pain and injury while supporting optimal wellness”.
When the inserted needles stimulate acupuncture points, the body releases endorphins, a natural painkiller. Endorphins provide rapid, often long-lasting relief, and patients usually feel the results after one treatment. Working at the source of the pain helps decrease inflammation, increase range of motion and boosts the immune system. Taking drugs can mask the pain, exasperating the condition and creating permanent damage.
Acupuncture isn’t just for pro athletes. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, whether that’s biking, hiking running, mountain climbing or canoeing, to name a few, anyone can benefit from the holistic treatment of acupuncture. Acupuncture is used to speed healing, relieve pain and increase muscle strength and stamina.
Moore Road MediSpa offers acupuncture and other holistic therapies to help athletes, and everyone else, reach their health goals with safe, alternative treatments. Call and schedule your free consultation today.
