Sports Injuries, Acupuncture, and Turkey Trot Talk

Acupuncture Is for Athletes!

Though I live and work as an acupuncturist in Oakland, California—I’m a little obsessed with the New York City Marathon. The big race was this past weekend, and I once again devoured all the news coverage  I could find and marked my calendar for next year’s lottery to secure a race entry. I don’t think I could be convinced to train for just any marathon next year–but as a Jersey girl (originally), this one’s on my bucket list. 

I’ve been working with runners for more than 10 years, first as a coach for the San Francisco Marathon training program (shout out Run365!), and now as an acupuncturist with specialized training in orthopedics and sports medicine. My interest in helping runners and other athletes continue to enjoy their sports for the long haul was one of my motivations for becoming a doctor of acupuncture and integrative medicine. 

So my eyes were obviously drawn to an article in old-fave Outside magazine a couple of weeks ago asking, “Does Acupuncture Help with Sports Injuries? Experts Weigh In.” The scientific literature is increasingly providing data demonstrating the efficacy of acupuncture and “dry needling” (a kind of acupuncture) in treating sports injuries. I love the way this Outside article broke down their discussion into a few top takeaways:

1) Acupuncture Reduces Pain

Acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s natural painkillers–including endorphins and endogenous opiates. Pain relief is an important outcome in itself, but it also allows for the body to begin shifting into a state of healing. (Read more about acupuncture for pain relief.)

2) Acupuncture Decreases Inflammation

There are a variety of pathways through which it is proposed that acupuncture works to decrease inflammation in the body. By increasing circulation to targeted tissues, cellular debris is removed and cellular function is enhanced. When injury or scarring is involved–which can happen with an obvious injury like an ankle sprain, or with a chronic issue such as reduced flexibility and circulation to the fascia (think plantar fasciitis), acupuncture needles invigorate blood flow where it has been compromised by trauma or repetitive strain.

3) Acupuncture Corrects Muscle Imbalances

This is where I see some of the most amazing sports medicine magic happen. Every athlete is familiar with achy muscle “knots” or trigger points, which end up compromising the range of motion, gait, and overall sense of proprioception. “Dry needling” with acupuncture needles targets these trigger points directly, helping knotted muscles to release and, once again, improving circulation to the muscle belly. 

Importantly, acupuncture can also stimulate inhibited muscles to activate–which is vital not only for sports performance, but for making sure that other muscles aren’t overloaded. Think of a runner moving with the power of engaged glutes, vs one letting her poor hamstrings do all the work. (Read more about sports medicine acupuncture.)

Showing Up Healthy

Whether your next event is a Turkey Trot (or “Tofurky Trot,” as we call it in my home) or a goal-race marathon, remember that getting to the start line in one piece is a critical part of your training–one where acupuncture can play an incredibly beneficial role. And if you’ve managed to avoid injuries (knock wood), acupuncture can help keep you healthy and improve performance.

Questions about how acupuncture can help with your sports injuries? Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call.

Dr. Lisa Franzetta has studied with Whitfield Reaves, sports medicine acupuncturist and author of The Acupuncture Handbook of Sports Injuries & Pain, and with Dr. Jenny Nieters, team acupuncturist to the San Francisco 49ers. Make an appointment to recover from your most recent wipe out at Griffin Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine, her clinic in Oakland, California.