Improved Blood Flow: When the needles activate the acupuncture points, they create an increase of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to relax and to widen, opening up the arteries. The process allows for more blood flow to the heart and to the other organs improving blood circulation and cardiovascular health.
Muscle Relaxation: As the blood flow is increased through the body, tight muscles relax and inflammation reduces. Therefore, by relieving fatigue and strain, muscle soreness is alleviated.
Injury Prevention and Treatment: Acupuncture promotes neurological and cardiovascular balance, which supports homeostasis in the body—therefore preventing injury. Should injury arise, the treatments regulate nerve conduction and microcirculation in the area of inflammation to speed up the healing process.
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Energy and Endurance Enhancement: Acupuncture can be used to regulate the nervous system, which helps to improve energy and endurance allowing for enhanced athletic performance. Also, by addressing the acupuncture sites related to the liver and lung function along with the digestive systems, a boost in energy and endurance can occur by removing blockages and increasing the flow of qi.
Rapid Recovery: Having regular treatments in between training sessions and after a race minimizes muscle fatigue and pain, enhances energy, and facilitates rapid recovery. It also promotes a deeper, more restful sleep allowing the muscle tissue to rebuild and for energy to be restored.
Common Traumatic Injuries Acupuncture Treats:
- Tears and strains of the rotator cuff
- Strains and sprains of the wrist
- Strains and sprains of the ankle
Common Over-Use Injuries Acupuncture Treats:
- Shoulder tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis and impingement syndrome
- Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and elbow bursitis
- Wrist tendonitis
- Hip bursitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Knee arthritis
More: What Is Cupping Therapy?
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