Piercing Iron - Acupuncture In Bodybuilding

Piercing iron – Acupuncture In Bodybuilding

Can acupuncture Really Help to Reduce Pain, Speed Recovery, and Even Make You Stronger?

Acupuncture has been widely practiced in China for 3,700 years. And stone acupuncture needles dating as far back as 3,000 B.C. have been uncovered in Inner Mongolia. In 1971, James Reston, a journalist for The New York Times, popularized acupuncture in the United States when he described how it eased his postoperative pain after an emergency appendectomy in China. Chances are you’ve heard of acupuncture or know someone who gets treatments. But to anyone unfamiliar with the theory behind Chinese medicine, it can seem like some pretty strange stuff. Its fundamental concepts are based on observations of the physical world. For example, the Chinese observed that energy is central to everything.

They call this universal energy “chi.” When you have lots of it, you feel strong and pumped. When you’re running low, you feel sluggish and unmotivated. When you’re running on empty, you’re dead. So far so good. But here’s where the theory starts to become “interesting.” According to Chinese medicine, chi is flowing through your body right now along a complex network of “river ways,” called meridians. The Chinese have mapped 12 regular meridians running up and down your body in pairs (six on the left and six on the right). They’re mostly named for the major internal organs they run through, such as the liver, spleen, heart, etc.

To further complicate things, the Chinese classify everything in the
universe according to the properties of yin and yang. Yin and yang, which is central to diagnosis, is based on the idea that nature organizes itself into mutually dependent opposites. Night and day, up and down, strong and weak—each concept is dependent on the other. Yin signifies cold, damp, darkness, stillness, and contraction. Yang signifies heat, dryness, light, action, and expansion. Acupuncture strives to achieve a balance between the energetic properties of these opposing forces. To greatly oversimplify, think of it as the difference between a guy all pumped up who won’t give his body a rest (too much yang) and a couch potato all plumped up on Twinkies who won’t give his body a workout (too much yin). Somewhere in the middle is a happy, healthy medium—the perfect balance between yin and yang.

GIVING YOUR ENERGY SYSTEM A TUNE-UP WITH ACUPUNCTURE
That brings us to the needles. The Chinese believe disease results when chi becomes blocked, misdirected, or unbalanced (too much yin or yang). Injuries, poor diet, extreme emotions, lack of exercise, too much exercise, unhealthy environment, and other factors all create an imbalance and negatively impact chi. By inserting extremely thin needles into specific “acupoints” along the meridians, acupuncturists redirect the abnormal flow of chi. For example, activation of the seventh point on the lung meridian is used for conditions of the head and neck, including headaches and neck pain or stiffness. A good one to remember if you routinely crank up the intensity of your workouts. Today, acupuncturists generally use 361 acupoints along the meridians and another 1,500 to 1,600 points outside the meridians. Acupuncture points are tender to the touch, similar to Western medicine’s trigger points, and they have a high electrical conductance. What’s more, recent animal experiments conducted in laboratories affiliated with the NIH strongly suggest the existence of precise acupuncture points along the meridians.

WELL SUITED TO ATHLETES?
So what does all this have to do with weight training and bodybuilding?
Some would say everything. According to James MacRitchie, an acupuncturist and co-director of the Chi Kung School at The Body-Energy Center in Boulder, Colorado, the energy system underlies everything, including strength, power, stamina, flexibility, and speed. He believes caring for your energy system is absolutely essential for optimal sports performance. MacRitchie points to some of the incredible feats of martial artists as an example of balanced chi in action. If you want to be really strong, you need to start on the inside. Amir Zagross, L.Ac., a Cal ifornia-based acupuncturist with extensive teaching experience in the field of traditional Oriental medicine, also stresses the importance of balancing your internal energy system. Zagross has treated a number of bodybuilders but cautions there’s not one “magic” acupuncture point that will suddenly help you build muscles. Instead, acupuncture may improve your body’s own ability to generate what it needs to enhance muscle growth and strength. For example, if your body’s hormonal system is out of balance, acupuncture may help restore the balance, so you can get the most out of your workouts. Because Chinese medicine views your body as a complex network of interdependent systems, the acupuncturist wouldn’t isolate and treat specific hormones. According to Zagross, acupuncture addresses the electromagnetic field surrounding your body, which is your body’s blueprint for health. By redirecting the flow of energy, acupuncture helps your body restore its natural state of homeostasis. The wisdom of your own body will dictate what’s needed, and that may be hormonal, cardiovascular, or something else altogether. But the bottom line is, a balanced energy system is the key to optimal performance and muscle growth. Bryan Frank, M.D., the Vice President of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncturists, says he’s seen acupuncture improve flexibility, decrease pain, prevent injury, enhance the immune system, and speed recovery.

UNDER PRESSURE:
Tips and Techniques: Acupuncture without the Puncture Wondering whether acupuncture is for you? According to James MacRitchie, we instinctively use energy-cultivating exercises throughout the day. For
example, we rub our aching stomachs, massage our tired eyes, stretch to preserve energy, or brush our fingers back over our heads to clear our minds. These are all effective ways to stimulate energy points along the meridians. You can experience more of the effects of energy manipulation for yourself by trying out “acupressure.” Acupressure is often described as acupuncture without the needles. Although it’s generally viewed as less effective than needles, it is based on the same energy principles as acupuncture. To treat yourself with acupressure, you simply apply finger and thumb pressure to the same acupoints along the energy meridians used in acupuncture. But keep in mind, acupressure isn’t meant to take the place of a doctor’s visit if you have an injury or aches and pains that persist. Apply pressure directly to the skin at acupoints on both sides of your body to balance chi flow. You should feel a slight discomfort when the point is pressed. Here are a few simple techniques to try out: 

- To relieve leg cramps: Press deeply in the hollow between the two big calf muscles at the point halfway between the bend in the knee and the top of the heel.
- To relieve tired legs: Press the point on the outside of your leg halfway between your ankle and knee. This point is just behind the fibula.
- To reduce swollen feet: Press the point at the junction of your big toe and second toe (where the two bones meet on top of your foot).
- To relieve foot and toe pain: Press the point at the junction of your big toe and second toe (where the two bones meet on top of your foot; the same point used for swollen feet). Press firmly with the index finger and rotate your finger clockwise.
- To relieve knee pain: Press the outside edge of your thighbone, three finger widths above the top of the kneecap.
- To relieve low-back pain: Press in the middle of the fold at the bend behind your knee.
- To relieve headaches: Press the point between thumb and forefinger, just above the fleshy area. tolerance to high-intensity workouts.

Dr. Frank is trained as an anesthesiologist and sports physician but says acupuncture is often his treatment of choice for Olympic athletes because it’s so effective at treating overuse injuries without medications or surgery. He says it may be more effective than Western medicine in some cases. However, he draws from both Eastern and Western methods to offer his patients the best of both worlds. Researchers at Beijing University also cite impressive results treating athletes with acupuncture. They say they’ve successfully treated a range of sports-related injuries, including strains, tears, muscle cramps, muscle soreness, muscle stiffness, injury of the piriformis muscle (which lies deep beneath other hip muscles), tennis elbow, and chronic muscle problems resulting from overuse.

WANT PAIN RELIEF? THINK NEEDLES AND PINS
Pain management is one of the most recognized benefits of acupuncture. In fact, most of the Western studies on acupuncture have been done on acupuncture’s pain-killing effects. Using brain-scanning techniques, researchers have linked changes in cerebral blood flow associated with the painkilling effects of acupuncture. These changes show acupuncture involves both the neurotransmitter systems and the central nervous system. A number of studies indicate acupuncture stimulates neural pathways in the central nervous system, which in turn regulates a variety of neurotransmitter systems, especially endorphins. Endorphins are those “feel-good” substances produced in your brain often credited with “runner’s high” or feelings of euphoria after high-endurance exercises. Some researchers also believe the metal acupuncture needles short-circuit the electrical current on the skin that sends the pain message. No message, no pain. The bottom line is, acupuncture seems to help ease pain. Researchers writing in the Journal of Emergency Medicine state, “Our experience suggests that acupuncture analgesia [pain relief ] is helpful for a great variety of chronic conditions difficult to manage by
conventional medical regiments, including low-back pain, neck pain, headaches, trigeminal neuralgia [characterized by a momentary sharp, shooting pain in the jaw, cheek, and lips], arthritis, premenstrual syndrome, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow.” In fact, one study showed an 85 percent success rate in treating tennis elbow in 158 patients after an average of five treatments. Another study showed 24 of 37 patients with neck and shoulder pain saw significant
improvements Another study showed acupuncture reduced low-back pain in 59 percent of 220 patients. These patients reported no pain or barely perceptible pain following acupuncture.

MORE ACUPUNCTURE STUDIES OF INTEREST TO BODYBUILDERS
In addition to its possible pain-killing properties, several studies suggest
acupuncture may offer other benefits to bodybuilders as well. One
such study reported in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine showed evidence that acupuncture enhanced bone metabolism in a 29-year-old man with chronic low-back pain. Plus, researchers from Beijing University found acupuncture may support healthy muscle fibers and speed recovery. Under an electron microscope, muscle-tissue biopsies revealed prominent structural changes in the vastus lateralis muscles (the largest of the four quadriceps muscles) 24 hours after heavy squatting and jumping exercises in subjects without acupuncture. (The types of changes observed negatively affected the flexibility and contractility of the muscle.) In contrast, researchers observed no changes or close-to-normal conditions in the subjects who underwent acupuncture treatments. The researchers theorized that acupuncture inhibited changes in the protein content of the myofibrils (slender strands of muscle tissue). This, in turn, may help maintain healthy muscle tissue and reduce recovery time after a heavy workout. Another study of particular interest to bodybuilders explored the effects of low-frequency electrical stimulation on performance. Because acupuncture has bioelectrical components, it may offer similar benefits. This study showed that a program of low-frequency electrical stimulation significantly increased the performance of a 1984 Olympic weightlifter in squat exercises and the clean-and-jerk and snatch exercises. (His strength gains in three and a half months were greater than those achieved by elite athletes in over two years!) It’s also well documented in animal studies that low-frequency stimulation of skeletal muscles produces muscle fibers consistent with successful high-endurance athletic performance (slow-twitch fibers with a high mitochondrial [the powerhouse of cells] content). This study suggests methods of acupuncture that electrically stimulate the needles may be particularly
beneficial to athletes.

WHAT RESEARCHERS SAY
According to the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine,
when physicians are asked why they use acupuncture, the answer most commonly given is, “Because it works.” But not everyone agrees. The “warring factions” break down roughly like this: diehard believers who offer word-of-mouth (anecdotal) reports and/or scientific substantiation to support their claims; people on the fence who believe it works but think it’s the placebo effect or the power of physician suggestion; and total nonbelievers who say the scientific studies are flawed and, therefore, there’s no scientific proof. All three camps generally agree many of the Chinese studies on acupuncture don’t meet the strict criteria of Western science, although this is changing. Critics also point out classic translated Chinese medical literature is filled with omissions, disarranged characters, misinterpreted technical terms, and grammatical errors that change the intended meaning. As a result, some Western practitioners may not follow treatment techniques as intended or may misinterpret Chinese study results. Jack Raso, M.S., R.D., author of “Alternative” Healthcare: A Comprehensive Guide, a vocal opponent of acupuncture and a member of the National Council of Health Fraud, believes the concept of chi offers much hype and little evidence. He also thinks many forms of alternative healing, like acupuncture, don’t really help patients beyond giving them attention. And Maria Lowney, M.D., who believes acupuncture can be an effective form of complementary medicine, says it could be dangerous if it’s used to the exclusion of Western medicine. For example, she cautions against seeking only acupuncture treatments for
acute conditions, such as broken bones, torn ligaments, or dislocated
shoulders. In other words, if a sports injury is serious, really hurts, or persists, see your doctor.

ACUPUNCTURE GOES WEST
Although the medical community is divided over acupuncture’s effectiveness, its status in traditional medical circles is rapidly changing.
Last year, based on a review of the latest acupuncture studies, an NIH
panel concluded there is clear scientific evidence of acupuncture’s effectiveness for control of some nausea and vomiting and for relief of postdental- treatment pain. Dr. David Ramsay, a member of the NIH panel, added, “There are ‘reasonable’ studies showing acupuncture, alone or in conjunction with other therapies, can treat a number of other conditions satisfactorily as well.” These conditions include pain, headache, drug addiction (but not tobacco addiction), stroke rehabilitation, general muscle pain, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, menstrual cramps, asthma, and tennis elbow. In 1996, the FDA, through the auspices of the Office of Alternative Medicine at the NIH, held a special workshop to analyze the scientific basis of acupuncture. As a result of these findings, the FDA reclassified the acupuncture needle from a Class III investigation device to Class II for “general acupuncture use” by licensed, registered, or certified practitioners. This opens the door for widespread insurance reimbursement for acupuncture treatments.

CONCLUSION
Many recent, well-controlled studies seem to confirm acupuncture’s
effectiveness for a number of specific conditions. And advocates of
acupuncture are convinced it’s only a matter of time before additional
scientific studies, which are currently under way, will confirm acupuncture’s effectiveness for a significantly wider range of conditions. Now with the recent establishment of the National Institutes of
Health’s Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM), the next decade promises to be one of incredible discoveries in the area of energy
medicine.

Acupuncture: Q andA
1. How long does an acupuncture treatment take?
Although the initial consultation will be the longest because a detailed history is required, most sessions last about 30–45 minutes.
2. How many sessions are required?
You can expect some improvement after five weekly sessions.
But it usually takes between 10– 20 sessions, depending on your
condition and age.
3. Will it hurt?
It looks a lot worse than it feels! Most people report acupuncture
isn’t painful at all. But you might feel a tingling sensation when the
needle is put in place.
4. Are there any aftereffects?
After effects can vary widely, from feeling super rejuvenated to feeling
really tired. Sometimes the pain even gets worse for a couple of hours after the treatment before it subsides.

5. Where can I get more info?

AFCI, The Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute
afcinstitute.com
2131 Lawrence Avenue E, Suite
204, Scarborough, ON, M1R 5G4

CMAAC, The Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada
cmaac.ca
154 Wellington St.,
London, ON, N6B 2K8

The Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
tcmcanada.org
245 Fairview Mall Drive Unit 402
Toronto, ON, M2J 4T1
CCAA, The Canadian Contemporary

Acupuncture Association
contemporaryacupuncture.ca
11 King Street West, Suite C120
Toronto, ON, M5H 4C7

Sports Acupuncture at Sumas Mtn. Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic
sportsacupuncturecanada.com
102 - 34609 Delair Road
Abbotsford, BC, V2S 2E1