Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese healing practice that utilizes ultra thin needles which are applied to the various pressure points or nerve endings of the body. Although not generally accepted by leading medical experts in the West, popularity of this traditional Chinese form of medical practice continues to gain ground. Right now, among those who benefit from acupuncture are sports athletes. One of the most effective treatments for injuries sustained by athletes on the line of duty can be easily remedied by acupuncture. Because athletes use the muscles more than the average person, incidences of sprains and strains in the joint are quite frequent. Athletes suffering from these usual injuries employ acupuncture together with what they call the R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, elevation treatment). It was found out that the healing process seem to be faster when R.I.C.E. is employed together with acupuncture because the swelling and inflammation are effectively suppressed compared to no acupuncture treatment. Another boon to athletes, who takes advantage of acupuncture while recuperating from injuries, is that the pain is greatly reduced. Aside from being sidelined from doing what athletes love to do best – play, the chance for glory and honor would have to wait further.
One example of the amazing wonders of acupuncture is the case of Olympian Kevin Overland, a Canadian speed skater. Overland sustained a hip injury and the Olympics were but a month away. Afraid of losing the chance of not going to the Olympic games as his physical therapists told him he needed more time to heal. Another friend advised him to try acupuncture treatment, and being desperate, he did. He went down to a famous acupuncturist and, believe it or not, he was able to make the Olympics and even brought home a bronze medal.
Another injury that can be effectively treated by acupuncture is concussion. Highly physical games like ice hockey and basketball are sports that could give players head trauma as banging bodies inside the court are expected to happen. Anaheim Mighty Ducks team captain, Paul Kariya, gets himself to be treated twice weekly by acupuncture treatment and has said nothing about the treatment except praises as he felt good right away just after a month of treatment. Other documented injuries that were treated by needles were those of Pittsburgh Penguin star, Jaromir Jagr who got treated for groin injury and former NBA guard Mugsy Bogues who got treated for chronic knee pain.
Despite evidences on the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment, Western doctors still regard acupuncture with a lot of skepticism. The problem with acupuncture medicine is that it lacks research and empirical data on how it really makes one get better. Dr. Susumu Koyama, a famous acupuncturist in Japan, however, explains that the needles tend to open up the capillaries and in the process improves circulation of blood and flood out the lactic acid build up from overworked muscles. Lactic acids are the chemicals that are responsible for that sore feeling in the muscles. Dr. Koyama further stated that acupuncture treatment can increase production of endorphins inside the body. Endorphins had been pinpointed as the chemical substance inside the body that gives humans that happy feeling.
Basically, acupuncture is safe as needles are only inserted to the skin just a few millimeters deep. There has never been a case of anyone dying from acupuncture but, in fact, a lot of people say they got well. For the athletes who are reluctant to try acupuncture and get better from injuries as soon as possible, they can always sit on the sidelines and cheer for their teammates.
