Sports acupuncture is utilized for amateur and professional athletes alike for injury recovery, prevention, and rehabilitation as well as non-invasive pain management. Sports teams are on the hunt for licensed acupuncturists to keep their athletes in peak condition with little to no side effects to be used during the season and in the off season. Research has shown that regular acupuncture visits has beneficial effects on blood flow, which as providers we know that when it comes to sports, enhances athletic performance.
As acupuncture providers, we want to reestablish balance in the body to reach optimized sports performance, and career longevity. Pain or injuries can cause a potentially detrimental setback for athletes as they so often require longer recovery periods, and affecting their performance. Western medicine does have its place in sports treatment, however a greater deal of athletes are turning to acupuncture to use in their recovery process for a natural, effective result.
Sports Acupuncture Protocol
It is no secret that there are a multitude of professional athletic teams that now employ full-time acupuncturists on their staff of athletic trainers. As a sports acupuncturist treating the masses of athletes, we should focus on specific motor points, both local and distal, and also taking into consideration their training schedule in order to maximize their treatment.
Sports Acupuncturist Protocol:
Important Protocol to Keep in Mind When Treating an Athlete:
- Motor Points – allows for targeted muscle relaxation and activation.
- Pinpoint Specific Pain Points – review the presenting injury to identify the specific muscle groups that need treatment.
- Local & Distal Needling – local points to address inflammation and pain at the pain site, and distal points to enhance overall healing.
Treatment Protocol/Goals for Athletes:
- Faster/Improved Recovery – encourage blood flow as well as tissue repair
- Performance Optimization – decrease fatigue and enhance muscle function
- Decrease Pain – manage through a treatment plan any chronic pain from injuries such as tendonitis, muscle strains, joint pain, etc.
Treatment Recurrence:
- Acute Pain – frequent sessions first to manage the pain and inflammation
- Chronic Pain – less frequent sessions to maintain benefits attained from acute care
Contact with the Athlete:
- Pain Level Inquiries – check in often with the athlete to verify their level of pain and their response to the treatment so that acupuncture treatment plan can be adjusted to fit their recovery journey.
- Training Schedule – we always want to avoid disrupting their training schedule so it is vital that we work around them and schedule appointments in lapses in training rather than during practice.
It is very important to discuss informed consent as well as medical history with the athlete, and while this may seem self-explanatory, it has to be discussed and understood by the patient. In reality, we need to protect our integrity as providers as well as protect our athletes.
Demand for Sports Acupuncturists
You may be wondering how you can obtain a certification in sports acupuncture or get involved with being an acupuncturist of a minor or major sports team. While this road can be complicated to break into, it is certainly not impossible. The first step, of course is to obtain your acupuncture degree, and then look for programs that offer certification in sports acupuncture.
The idea of sports medicine acupuncture programs is to blend TCM techniques and western sports medicine to cultivate an integrated treatment for athletes. A program is with AcuSport Education (not sponsored), and they offer a great deal for acupuncturists looking to get into this specified profession.
Sports Medicine Acupuncture Certification Program (SMAC):
- According to their site “SMA uses functional anatomy, range of motion testing, orthopedic examinations, manual muscle testing and palpation to identify the injured tissues. Postural and concomitant muscle imbalances are assessed through static and functional movements which guide the practitioner to understand how and why the injury occurred.” They combine this assessment along with TCM channels to diagnose and treat athletes.
- Involves over 250 hours of training
- Hybrid Program – this includes 10 recorded webinars, and 4 live classes in person
- Involves 4 main modules – 1. The spine, 2. The lower back, hip, and groin, 3. The lower extremities, 4. The neck, shoulder, and upper extremities.
- The program is always growing and changing with new research and development in the sports acupuncture sector.
Acupuncture is used by across the country in a wide range of professional sports including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the NHL. Some professional teams that have acupuncturists on staff include the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Green Bay Packers (NFL), San Francisco Giants (MLB), New York Yankees (MLB), Golden State Warriors (NBA), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), and Florida Panthers (NHL) just to name a few. This doesn’t include the multitude of professional athletes who individually seek acupuncture treatment on their own outside of the team trainers.
To get your foot in the door for this type of acupuncture treatment, it is vital that you have all of your ducks in a row so to speak, and be sure not to step on any toes. Reaching out to anyone whom you may know or is connected to the industry is where to start. Ask around your community and even current patients as well, starting with a conversation is really the best first step. Once you have a lead, you can use this person as a way to get your foot in the door. When there is a lead like this, it starts you off with more trust from the team, and they will be more likely to listen.
Usually, if you do get over the first hurdle of contact and manage to land an interview or meeting with the team trainer, they will sometimes require a presentation. To put it simply, this means basically to show them your expertise. These are either the first impression of you or the last-ditch effort to impress the hiring team.
What to Put into Your Presentation:
- Recent and relevant research
- How acupuncture works
- Statistics in support of acupuncture for athletes
- Medical experience and background
- How your abilities and compatibility can benefit the team, and compliment their training style
- Identify your motivations, goals, and expectations if you were to be chosen to become a member of the training staff.
You could work with sports teams not only at their on-site facility, but also by referral to your private practice for the team members. In general, whether you are looking to be a part of a professional or amateur team, your first point of contact would be the head athletic trainer.
All serious athletes are consistently looking for ways to enhance their performance, and sports acupuncture has become a popular option over the last decade or more. Sports teams, athletic organizations, and sports medicine clinics alike are all in pursuit of acupuncturists, and it is no surprise. As far back as the early 2000’s with Shaquille O’Neil to more recent sports star Kobe Bryant, seeking acupuncture to boost their performances, acupuncture has seen success with a multitude of athletes around the globe.
Many athletes have found through sports acupuncture that balancing out the body helps to provide more effective and efficient training. Whether the athlete is managing pain or treating acute and chronic injuries to minimize downtime, athletes around the world are seeing the advantage of acupuncture treatment. What does this mean for acupuncturists? More jobs and opportunities to get involved on the sports world with our profession.