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Top Athletes Who Use Acupuncture

Posted Sunday, January 31st, 2016 by

athletes, acupuncture, holisitic

Acupuncture can have some extremely rewarding effects when it comes to pain management and recovery. For athletes that train regularly, having a non-invasive technique that can be used to improve pain management and reduce inflammation is extraordinary. While many athletes utilize acupuncture as a means to recover and control the symptoms of pain that weigh heavy on their bodies, there are large number of athletes that aren’t interested. With this in mind we might be able to recognize that acupuncture can deliver not only a performance advantage but a means to stay stronger and healthy as you push your body to the limit.

Here are some of the top athletes using acupuncture as part of their regular training/recovery:

NFL Fullback Tony Richardson: Tony Richardson is a Jets fullback that experienced severely bruised ribs going into the playoffs season in 2010. Richardson needed to be pain free in order to maintain his blocking stance; as a result of his bruised ribs he was stuck on the sidelines. Rather than giving in and riding the bench through the entire playlist, Richardson tried acupuncture right before the first playoff game to get ready. Lisa Ripi is the acupuncturist who works with Richardson Before he had acupuncture he was using mostly heat and ice; when Marcus Stroud recommended her services for his bruised ribs, he jumped at the chance to try it. In a treatment plan of around 80 needles for a pre-game pain reduction boost, Richardson not only played the whole game but with minimal pain from his bruised ribs. With results like this, over 30 NFL athletes now use acupuncture as part of their training and recovery techniques. [Link]

Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher AJ Burnett: AJ Burnett cites acupuncture treatment as a vital aspect of his health. When negotiating new contracts as a pitcher he suggests that there is a need for an acupuncturist for his health on staff or available. Burnett receives regular treatments and he has absolutely no doubt that acupuncture has helped him in his professional career. Acupuncture is especially useful for pitchers who often utilize the same muscles with advanced strain. With so many pitchers experiencing shoulder, elbow and muscle injuries in their throwing arm, acupuncture is helping to extend the careers of professionals like Burnett.

NBA Shooting Guard Kobe Bryant: Kobe Bryant is one of the most famous faces in the NBA.  With all of his success, he attributes much of his good health to acupuncture treatments. In 2013 Kobe went down with a leg injury but experienced a rapid recovery thanks to acupuncture. Tweeting a picture of his leg with acupuncture needles in it even showcased how pleased he was that the treatment was working. A star athlete like Kobe Bryant showcasing acupuncture could open the door to this treatment for many other NBA players. Other famous basketball players like Charles Barkley, Steve Nash, Yao Ming and Grant Hill have all use acupuncture and its becoming a growing trend in the NBA. [Link]

Cyclist Vincenzo Nibali: Nibali won the 2014 Tour de France and is one of the most famous professional cyclists in the world. He attributes his success in the Tour de France and in the sport itself to his use of acupuncture. Throughout the entire 2014 tour, all of the Astana team riders were getting acupuncture twice a day before the stages on the back of the team bus as well as in their hotel room. This quick sports acupuncture helped Nibali to stay strong and go on to win four different legs on the Tour de France. While he has suggested that acupuncture really does nothing for structural damage it does assist all of the riders with pain. This ensures better endurance and a way to deal with pain that is drug free. [Link]

NFL Quarterback Aaron Rodgers: Aaron Rodgers is one of the most respected quarterbacks in the NFL and is also a strong advocate for acupuncture. Rodgers experiences pain just like any other NFL athlete whether it’s through rigorous training or getting hit on the field. Acupuncture is a way that he deals with his performance training pain. One of the greatest times that acupuncture helped Rodgers was through a serious strain that occurred right before the playoffs in 2015. Rodgers was advised to take a full week off and sit an NFC championship game but instead he took to advanced acupuncture treatment to recover from the pain in just a few days. By working with the strained leg, Rodgers was pain-free and had an incredible game, throwing for three touchdown passes and 317 yards. With intense treatment, even severe muscle strain can be overcome through acupuncture so that athletes can get back on the field.

For managing pain as well as treating acute injuries minimizing downtime, many athletes around the world are seeing the advantage of acupuncture treatment. If you would like to experience these advantages for yourself please contact our offices to book an appointment.

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