1.Back Pain & Acupuncture

Did you know acupuncture is recommended prior to opioids for the treatment of back pain? 

In 2017, American College of Physicians released the new recommendation that MDs should suggest acupuncture, amongst other practices BEFORE prescribing medication for back pain, in order to help reduce the opioid crisis. You can read more here.

Wonderful, right? The only way they would make such a strong recommendation for acupuncture is if scientific research backed it up. To which they did after carefully considering systematic randomized controlled studies of non invasive treatments for acute, subacute and chronic nonradicular back pain.

 

In addition, multiple studies support the effectiveness of acupuncture for managing pain. And not just back pain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also supports the use of acupuncture for many other conditions - and their recommendations are based on research outcomes. 

You can see the full list of conditions (pain + more) for which the WHO & NIH recommend acupuncture here

 

What kinds of pain can acupuncture help with? 

  • Back pain 

  • Neck pain/stiffness/tightness

  • Sciatic pain 

  • Knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle pain (arthritic pain)

  • Headaches

  • Fibromyalgia 

  • Post-surgical pain 

  • Toothache/jaw pain

  • Pain associated with Multiple Sclerosis

  • Menstrual pain/cramping

  • Acute pain due to injury

  • Nerve pain

If you have pain that you've been struggling with, try acupuncture first, not as a last resort. It's incredibly helpful and my patients are often surprised at how much better they feel.

2.Elevate Athletic Performance: The Science Behind Acupuncture & Electroacupuncture in High-Impact Sports

In the demanding arena of high-impact sports—such as boxing, football, MMA, and rugby—athletes continually seek methods to enhance performance, expedite recovery, and prevent injuries. Many scientific investigations have illuminated the role of acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) as effective strategies to achieve these goals. This blog delves into the mechanisms, treatment protocols, and benefits of these therapies, drawing from recent studies and clinical experiences.

Mechanisms of Action

1. Enhancement of Explosive Muscle Strength

Acupuncture has been shown to improve the explosive force of shoulder joints in both male and female athletes. Studies indicate that acupuncture can increase maximum torque, average power, and total work values in shoulder joints, contributing to enhanced athletic performance. PubMed+1Wiley Online Library+1MDPI+1PMC+1

2. Augmentation of Carnitine Levels for Fatigue Reduction

Carnitine plays a pivotal role in energy metabolism and muscle fatigue mitigation. Research demonstrates that acupuncture can elevate carnitine levels in skeletal muscles, thereby reducing fatigue and enhancing endurance. ResearchGate

3. Modulation of the Autonomic Nervous System

Acupuncture has been found to regulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS), balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic activities (IF YOU READ OUR NEWSLETTERS..NO SURPRISE HERE). This modulation aids in stress reduction, improved cardiovascular function, and overall homeostasis, which are crucial for athletic performance and recovery. PubMed

4. Influence on Myofascial Dynamics

Emerging evidence suggests that acupuncture can affect the contractile properties of fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles. By influencing myofascial tension, acupuncture may enhance musculoskeletal dynamics, contributing to improved movement efficiency and injury prevention. Frontiers

Treatment Timing and Protocols

Pre-Competition Sessions: Administering acupuncture sessions 24 to 48 hours before competition can prime the neuromuscular system, enhancing muscle activation and readiness.

Post-Exercise Recovery: Implementing acupuncture within 30 minutes post-exercise can accelerate recovery by reducing muscle soreness, inflammation, and promoting relaxation.

Frequency and Duration: A regimen of 2 to 3 acupuncture sessions per week during training cycles has been associated with sustained performance benefits and reduced injury incidence.

Benefits and Outcomes

Enhanced Muscle Strength and Power: Improved torque and power output in key muscle groups.

Reduced Muscle Fatigue: Elevated carnitine levels contribute to decreased fatigue and faster recovery.

Optimized Nervous System Function: Balanced ANS activity supports stress management and physiological resilience.

Improved Musculoskeletal Dynamics: Modulation of fascia tension enhances movement efficiency and reduces injury risk.

References

  1. Wang I-L, et al. (2021). Effect of acupuncture on the timeliness of explosive forces generated by the male shoulder joint. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021:1-9. Link

  2. Toda S. (2012). Effect of acupuncture on carnitine for skeletal muscle fatigue. Chinese Medicine, 3(1):9-12. LinkResearchGate+2ResearchGate+2ResearchGate+2

  3. Wang I-L, et al. (2020). Effects of acupuncture on explosive force production by the healthy female shoulder joint. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020:1-7. LinkEurope PMC

  4. Li Q-Q, et al. (2013). Acupuncture effect and central autonomic regulation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013. LinkPMC

  5. Schleip R, et al. (2019). Fascia is able to actively contract and may thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics: a histochemical and mechanographic investigation. Frontiers in Physiology, 10. Link

This blog is intended for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed professional before integrating new treatments.