With the Canada Games in PEI, it’s good to talk about the gain in popularity of acupuncture for athletes! Acupuncture, a practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, has been gaining popularity among high performance athletes as a form of therapy. The use of acupuncture for sports injury rehabilitation and performance enhancement has been well-documented in the last ten years, with many professional and Olympic athletes turning to this alternative treatment!
MICHAEL PHELPS
One of the most notable examples of an athlete using acupuncture is Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time. Phelps, who won a record-breaking 23 gold medals in his career, has credited acupuncture with helping him recover from injuries and improve his overall performance. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Phelps said that he began using acupuncture in 2008, and it “made a huge difference” in his ability to recover quickly from injuries and perform at his best.
ALY RAISMAN
Another frequently reported story is about Aly Raisman, captain of the American women’s gymnastics team at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. She had an acupuncture regimen that helped her recover from strenuous sessions. It was an integral part of her commitment to win gold – and no wonder! Acupuncture is a powerful tool for managing painful or debilitating musculoskeletal problems. It release hormones that relieve pain and boost energy very quickly. Gymnasts are frequently injured in this particularly intense sport; Raisman knew that to stay on top, she needed a highly effective routine to keep pain and inflammation at bay.
DEE DEE TROTTER
An acupuncturist traveled from Tennessee, USA to London to provide acupuncture treatments to star track athlete Dee Dee Trotter during her Olympic appearance. Her acupuncture treatments were designed to keep Trotter in top shape during her competitions in the Olympic stadium. Trotter ended up winning the bronze medal in the 400-meters in a time of 49.72 in London as well as the gold medal in the 4×400-meter relay – and she made no secret of the positive effects that acupuncture had on her performance. According to Trotter, her regular acupuncture treatments played a key role in making these medals possible.
Acupuncture has also been used by many other athletes, including professional basketball and football players. These athletes have reported that acupuncture helped them recover from injuries faster, improve their flexibility and range of motion, and reduce pain and inflammation.
STEPH CURRY
Another example is basketball player Steph Curry, who has been known for incorporating acupuncture into his injury recovery and performance enhancement routine. In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Curry said that he began using acupuncture in 2016, and it has helped him “move better and feel better” on the court.
TOM BRADY
In addition, Football player Tom Brady, has been known for his longevity and his ability to maintain high level of performance even as he has aged. He has credited acupuncture as one of the practices that has helped him achieve this level of performance.
Acupuncture is increasingly being used by high performance athletes as a form of therapy for injury rehabilitation and performance enhancement. Over the last ten years, many professional and Olympic athletes have credited acupuncture with helping them recover from injuries, improve their performance, and maintain a high level of fitness. As more and more athletes continue to turn to acupuncture for therapy, it is clear that this alternative medicine practice is an effective and valuable tool for athletes of all levels.
