Are you a runner? A cyclist? A weight lifter?
We treat many athletes, including two Ultra Marathon runners. Acupuncture is used by them as part of their training regime for their next event and both have reported doing PB’s after acupuncture.Here are 5 reasons why you should think about having acupuncture to support your training programme.
Promote Muscle Relaxation
Athletes trains for hundreds of hours before tournaments in a bid to keep their bodies fit and ready to compete effectively in sports. The physical exercises that they take part in can negatively affect their muscles leading soreness and pain. Fortunately, acupuncture can evenly relax muscles, reduce inflammation and promote optimal flow of blood throughout the body.
Foster Healing Process
Injuries hinder athletes from taking part in various sporting activities especially when they involve joints and muscles. Research studies show that acupuncture can increase the rate at which you recover from injuries. This turn ensures that athlete never miss competition or valuable training sessions.
Energy Enhance and Better Sleep
Acupuncture boosts athletes’ energy levels during the day and increases their performance. Also, it helps them sleep better at night. Note that the body repairs itself and rejuvenates in preparation for the following day at night.
Relieves Pain
Pain can affect performance of any athlete no matter the kind of sport. Techniques used in acupuncture have capacity to not only reduce pain, but also eliminate it entirely. One of the major benefits of seeking this form of treatment is that you will not have to worry about side effects caused by pharmaceutical drugs. More importantly, you can rest in peace knowing that you will pass all drugs tests when taking part in local, regional and international competitions.
Improve Blood Flow
Lack of a constant supply of nutrient-rich blood to various parts of the body such as muscles can compromise your performance in the field. Studies show that acupuncture triggers production of nitric oxide in the body that causes the blood vessels to relax and widen. Increase in size of blood vessels helps to facilitate smooth flow of blood from the heart to all other body organs before, during and even after the tournament or training session.
Don’t just take our word for it. Here is what Marc had to say about his acupuncture treatment.
I run because I love to and have done for the last 3 years. Running has become an increasingly important part of my life and I have unknowingly been drawn in to this other world where time, distance and routine become more important than ever. At the beginning of 2013 I had 157 competitive miles ahead of me though various races. After running through the winter I developed an injury in my right knee. Taking advice from friends and family that run, friends and family that don’t run and reading article after article on how to deal with injury and how running is “bad for my knee’s”, I bought a book called ‘The Art Of Running’. I ignored all the injury advice and ran my first marathon (MK) injured with my right knee taped and gelled up and lots of pain killers. I finished in 3 hours 38 mins. This was probably not the most sensible thing I had ever done and if I carried on this way I might seriously injury myself and my not be able to run my most important race of my year – my first ultra marathon (the Hard moors 60), a 60 mile race along the Yorkshire coast.
I decided to take some advice from my book and made my first appointment for acupuncture. Before my first session I did not really know what to expect or what would be expected from me. Caitlin put me at ease within minutes. She was not going to hurt me. I would be able to walk home and she seemed sure she could help me.
I don’t claim to understand exactly how Caitlin has helped me, but I have never been a more committed runner and this is truly because acupuncture has given me the confidence to run to my ability as I trust that what Caitlin and her acupuncture sessions (4 in total so far) do. They keep me injury free.
On the 21 September this year I ran the Hard moors 60 ultra marathon (A 62 mile race, with 3000ft accent, to be completed in 16 hours) in 15 hours and 51 minutes. Throughout this beautifully brutal race my body and mind were tested more than I could have imagined. The miracle at the end of the race was that the only part of my body that did not ache was my knees (Truly!) . And I believe that mentally I would not have been able to complete the race without the sessions that I have had with Caitlin . I am now a believer in the benefits of acupuncture not just on my knee’s but my body and mind as a whole.
I have found this treatment is more accessible and beneficial than I ever expected.
(Update- after another acupuncture session 2 days prior to his next marathon, Marc did a PB).