Did you know acupuncture is used to increase energy and to enhance performance by many athletes? Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neil and NBA star Kobe Bryant both received acupuncture treatment to improve in their sport. Read below on West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Fatigue and Performance for Athletes.
How Does Acupuncture Help Fatigue and Performance in Athletes?
Acupuncture isn’t just for pain management. Indeed, acupuncture helps you with more endurance and recover faster. It gives you the extra ability to achieve more.
Firstly, acupuncture improves peak oxygen levels, maximum heart rate, delayed-onset muscle soreness, pain, swelling, explosive force production, and joint mobility. Furthermore, acupuncture appears to be similar in effect regardless of age and sex.
Secondly, a Japanese study (1) investigated the effect of acupuncture regarding exhaustion in elite female soccer players during a competition period. Only the athletes treated with acupuncture experienced a better rating in the study.
Thirdly, the cardiovascular benefits of acupuncture for athletes has been documented. Studies revealed that athletes who receive acupuncture exhibited improved regulation of blood pressure and heart rate compared to those who didn’t receive acupuncture. The same athletes receiving acupuncture in the study showed improvements in maximal physical performance.
Fourthly, the great effects of acupuncture can sometimes be the psychological benefits. Competition anxiety and cognitive anxiety (having negative thoughts), have been observed to be reduced among athletes who receive acupuncture.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Fatigue and Performance for Athletes:
Acupuncture Has a Holistic Approach
Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. The acupuncture treatment stimulates the imbalanced pathways along the meridians to bring balance back. Mainly, the goal is to activate the body’s natural healing abilities and bring balance back to your body. It’s often used as part of a broader approach to healthcare.
Every athlete is different and so treatments are different for everyone. For example, an athlete with digestion issues will not get the same treatments as someone with hormonal issues or allergies.
Athletes may also use acupuncture immediately before or after a major event. And then as part of the recovery phase afterward.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture for Fatigue and Performance for Athletes
If you’re recovering from an injury, acupuncture can be especially helpful when used in conjunction with chiropractic. Dr. Natalie Meiri is an experienced chiropractic physician with a certification in acupuncture, why go anywhere else to get acupuncture? Call 561-253-8984 today to schedule a chiropractic evaluation or an acupuncture session.
References: Akimoto et al, Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003