Sports Medicine Acupuncture® is a synergistic blend of the ancient wisdom and methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), modern sports medicine science and assessment, and specialized treatment techniques. It is a comprehensive and intelligent approach to treating pain, sports injuries, work injuries, and postural imbalances, as well as promote enhanced athletic performance and improve range of motion.
Lindsay Long, L.Ac., C.SMA® is currently one of only four acupuncturists certified in Sports Medicine Acupuncture® in Colorado (the only certified specialist in Boulder County, CO) as well as one of only two SMA® certified acupuncturists in Minnesota.
How does Sports Medicine Acupuncture® work?
Using orthopedic and manual muscle testing sports acupuncturists can ascertain the exact location of pain, muscle imbalance, or soft tissue lesion and use specialized acupuncture points to correct overactive or inhibited muscle fibers. The acupuncturist uses motor point needling techniques to “reset” the affected muscle spindle fibers. This teaches the body to maintain a balance between its opposing muscle groups, maintain the muscle strength and tone, as well as open the nervous system circuit to maintain optimal functioning and range of motion.
When these techniques are performed correctly by a licensed acupuncturist with this highly specialized training, results are immediate, which provides a quick return to activity and peak level of performance for the patient. Follow up treatments may be necessary to maintain optimal body functioning and for lasting results.
Sports acupuncturists may also use soft tissue release and mobilizations, postural assessment, PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretches, and exercises to correct postural imbalances to quickly get you back in the game pain-free, maintain optimal results, and prevent future injuries.
Lindsay Long, L.Ac., C.SMA® has also had training in performance-enhancing acupuncture techniques that can be beneficial for runners, cyclists, swimmers, and many other competitive athletes. Through years of research and work with Olympic Athletes, Whitfield Reaves has perfected these techniques that give athletes a competitive edge by enhancing endurance, power, and speed. These techniques vary from person to person and need to be tested prior to your big event or competition.
If you would like more information on how sports and performance-enhancing acupuncture techniques can benefit your race, game or team contact us at 303-552-8722 or email Lindsay@ModernPointAcupuncture.com.
Sports acupuncture techniques have a wide range of applicability.
Acupuncture can be very beneficial for the following disorders:
- Acute Sprain/Strain
- Arthritis
- Athletic Enhancement
- Baker’s Cyst
- Bursitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Coccygodynia
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Costochondritis
- Degenerative Disc/Joint Disease
- De Quervain’s Syndrome
- Facet Joint Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Tension/Stress, Cluster, Sinus, Rebound, Migraine Headaches
- Herniated Discs
- Hip, knee, and shoulder arthritis
- IT Band Friction Syndrome
- Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)
- Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)
- Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s elbow)
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Neuralgia
- Occipital Neuralgia (Arnold’s Neuralgia)
- Paresthesia
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis/Fibromatosis
- Post Laminectomy Syndrome
- Postural Imbalance
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
- Sacroiliitis/ SI Joint Pain
- Stroke Sequelae
- Surgery rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation from Major Fractures, Hairline and Stress Fractures,
- Functional Scoliosis
- Shin Splints/ Tibial Stress Syndrome
- Shingles and Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
- Shoulder Impingement/Frozen Shoulder
- Spinal Stenosis, Spondylosis
- Sprained Ligament(s)
- Strained Muscle(s)
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain
- Tendonitis/Tendonopathy
- Tenosynovitis
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Whiplash