You want results. You want to thrive in your athletic achievements. You want to be the best. With the addition of Chinese Medicine to your regimen, we can help bring you to the top of your game.
Being a professional athlete takes commitment, strength and intense physical training. Experts recommend working out a particular muscle group no more than twice a week without adequate rest, however when you are professional athlete, this isn’t always an option. Without proper recovery time, this might result in strain, dehydration or muscle tears, leading to severe pain or an injury.
From the moment we stop growing, our body begins deteriorating. It’s common sense that overuse of any body part will cause deterioration to happen at a faster rate. By using the theories of Chinese Medicine, we can actually help hinder that process, using the medicine to fine-tune the body to precision, generating optimal physical performance.
In addition to the physical issues that professional athletes face, we have found that it is just as important, if not more important, to address the internal organs and spirit. Where other tried and true therapies address the physical body only, the beauty of Chinese medicine is that we can access both the outer and inner body, resulting in more overall benefits.
According to Chinese medicine philosophy, the outer body (muscle, nerves, tendons, ligaments, bone) is connected to the inner body (organs like the Lungs, Liver, Heart, etc and all emotions) through internal pathways. For example, the lateral epicondyle is connected to the Large Intestine pathway. Working with the pathway and organ will alleviate the pain in the epicondyle area. Additionally, it will address digestive issues and allow the athlete to let go of any unnecessary emotions: stress, anxiety or worry that may be stored in the body.
This ancient medicine can provide you with unique tools to excel in your game. Benefits that occur on this deeper level are more restful sleep, more energy, and sharper focus. Traditional Chinese Medicine also boosts the immune system, improves digestion, and enhances muscle and joint hydration. This gives true meaning to working with the body from the inside out.
Research
There are tons of research that supports the efficacy of acupuncture and how it supports and treats pain, internal issues like digestion, low energy, stress or anxiety. However, for athletes, you are a different breed and need a specialized treatment and treatment plan. You need an acupuncturist that understands what your body goes through on a micro and macro level. We have the experience and have worked with players from the Oakland Raiders and the Edmonton Oilers, so we understand what it takes.
The NFL
As opposed to research studies that pertain to lay people, here’s a fascinating article from a few years back about acupuncturist, Lisa Ripi. Lisa works with 5 NFL teams on the East coast, every day she flies to a new city and clocks in at about 96 hours a week. Come Fridays, the players fight over her for treatments because they can see the difference the acupuncture makes for their weekend game.
“As Pittsburgh linebacker James Farrior said, “I’m not the same if I don’t have it. It’s like getting the game plan. You can’t go into the week without either one. Players require individualized treatment. Steelers linebacker James Harrison takes more than 300 needles, and Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora begs for fewer than 40. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis hates needles and grips the table as if under attack.”
Today almost every single professional team in the US has their own acupuncturists on staff.
In summary, here are the most common things we treat in reference to athletes. If you are experiencing something out of the ordinary, please reach out to us to speak about your special situation.
- Stress management
- Muscle and joint pain
- Bulged and herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Sprains
- Strained muscles
- Muscle spasms
- Neurological pain
- Post surgery rehabilitation
- Early arthritis onset
- Fatigue, low energy
- Adrenal fatigue
- Headaches and migraines
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Recurring colds and flus
- Prostate issues
In conclusion, our medicine can be a great adjunct to the game and to the longevity of your career by supporting your body through the physical demand you go through as an athlete. Hundreds of NFL players swear by this medicine, they can’t all be wrong.
