Acupunctur For Atheletes

Current theories on the mechanism of acupuncture:

Autonomic Nervous System Theory

Acupuncture stimulates the release of norepinephrine, acetylcholine and several types of opioids, affecting changes in their turnover rate, normalizing the autonomic nervous system, and reducing pain.

Vascular-interstitial Theory

Acupuncture manipulates the electrical system of the body by creating or enhancing closed circuit transport in tissues. The facilitates healing by allowing the transfer of material and electrical energy between normal and injured tissues.

According to the study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 51% of medical doctors understand the efficacy and value of acupuncture, and medical doctors refer patients to acupuncturists more than any other alternative care provider.

One of the advantages to acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions. As an example, musculoskeletal conditions, such as fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, and tennis elbow, or epicondylitis, are conditions for which acupuncture may be beneficial. These painful conditions are often treated with, among other things, anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) or with steroid injections. Both medical interventions have a potential for deleterious side effects, but are still widely used and are considered acceptable treatments. The evidence supporting these therapies is no better than that for acupuncture.

Acupuncture and Arthritis

A randomized, controlled trial conducted by the university of Maryland School of Medicine suggests that acupuncture can provide effective pain relief and improve function for osteoarthritis of the knee. Berman, BM., et al., Effectiveness of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, Dec. 21, 2004;141 (12) 901-910

Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization to be affective in the treatment of:

• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Constipation
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Digestive trouble
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Hiccough
• Indigestion
• Low back pain
• Migraine
• Osteoarthritis
• Pain
• Sciatica
• Shoulder pain
• Sinusitis
• Stress
• Tennis elbow
• Weight loss/gain
• Wrist pain

In the sporting world, injury may occur as we push beyond our limits. We may overdo it, and over time create problems now, and in the future.

In todays hectic lifestyle, we often donÕt allow adequate time to heal. We use painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications to dull the aches and pains and reduce inflammation. ItÕs a quick and easy approach, but only a temporary fix.

In the short term, medication may enable you to return to your sport, and carry on with your life, but in the long run, it may make your problems worse. Regular use of medication may add to further injury, and unwarranted side effects that could greatly impact performance, endurance and vitality.

Acupuncture is a time-tested, safe, natural and drug-free health care system that can provide immediate relief and long lasting benefits. It can help you return to peak performance by restoring the proper and continuous flow of vital energy, called Qi (pronounced ŅcheeÓ).

As an athlete, you may experience physical trauma, sprain, strain, over-exertion, repetitive injury, and emotional stress. All of these disrupt the flow of Qi in various ways.

When this occurs, it cam lead to a variety of symptoms and signs including, pain swelling, stiffness, limited range of motion, and fatigue. This can result in less than optimal health and may ultimately hinder your performance.

Acupuncture can provide a competitive edge, leading improved performance. It is also a viable therapy in the treatment of acute sprains, strains and pains.

The use of acupuncture and electroacupuncture is appropriate for, but not limited to, the following types of conditions:

HEAD

• Tension headache
• Cluster headache
• Hypertensive headache
• Head trauma
• Facial pain
• Migraine headache
• Sinus headache
• Cervicogenic headache
• Temporomandibular dysfunction

NECK

• Injuries to the cervical spine
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Herniated cervical disk
• Unspecified neck pain
• Degenerative disc disease
• Cervical strain and whiplash
• Cervical stenosis
• Torticolis
• Cervical arthritis
• Muscle spasm

SHOULDER

• Injuries to the shoulder Š General
• Rotator cuff tear
• Adhesive capsulitis
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Biceps tendon injury
• Shoulder tendonitis/bursitis
• Muscle spasm

ELBOW

• Lateral epicondlylitis
• Olecranon bursitis
• Medial epicondylitis
• Ulnar neuritis

FOREARM, HAND AND WRIST

• Forearm sprain/strain
• DeQuervians syndrome
• Wrist/finger sprain/strain
• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Trigger finger
• Tendonitis of forearm/wrist

TORSO AND LOW BACK

• Lumbar facet syndrome
• Sciatic neuralgia
• Muscle spasm
• Lumbar disk herniation
• Low back sprain/strain

KNEE

• Osteoarthritis
• Ligament injuries
• Bakers cyst
• Tendonitis
• Meniscus injuries
• Post-operative pain

ANKLE AND FOOT

• Ankle sprain
• Plantar fascitis
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Osteoarthritis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Post-operative pain

Testimonials:

Happy New Year Shasta!

I wanted to thank you for all your care, nurture and support of the last six months. Not only did you help me get through the six months on intense training. I was able to finish with a twenty minute personal record over my last Iron man Race five years ago.

I Could have not done it without you and your support!

Thank you so much, Rick

Shasta is a wonderful asset to any athletic regiment. Her care made me focus on new areas of my mind, spirit and body that never paid attention to. With that said, I would highly recommend her acunpucture treatment, products and services to anyone, especially active adults and aspiring, armature or professional athletes.”

Elaina Maxwell, MMA Fighter