Acupuncture Stimulates Recovery for Athletes
Acupuncture is the use of sterile, paper-thin needles to reduce disruptions of general health and wellness such as inflammation. The professional care providers at Thrive Spine and Sports Rehabilitation recommend athletes, weekend warriors, and other active individuals implement acupuncture for sports recovery. Booking acupuncture sessions at Thrive will keep these individuals healthy, help them recover from physical activity, and support a quicker healing process post-injury.
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Sports Recovery
Athletes and active individuals who receive acupuncture treatments will find many benefits associated with the Eastern medicine practice:
- Reduced pain, stiffness, and inflammation
- Stress relief
- Increased relaxation
- Better blood flow
- Increased circulation and range of motion
- Dopamine and serotonin rush
- Endorphin (natural pain killer) stimulation
Oftentimes, Thrive patients are high school, college, and professional athletes. However, anyone can improve their wellness and decrease recovery time by utilizing this refined Eastern medicine practice. Sports acupuncture can be applied for a range of needs—from common sports-related injuries to general wear-and-tear.
Sports Acupuncture at Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab
Acupuncture is being widely utilized throughout sports medicine and beyond. However, there is no one standard method or prescription for use. Each acupuncturist applies their own background and school of thought to every patient’s unique case.
At Thrive’s Belmar location, Clint Price is the primary acupuncturist. He has spent four years with Thrive after studying kinesiology in college, shadowing physical therapists and acupuncturists, and completing graduate studies in acupuncture.
Price combines ancient Eastern medicine practices with Western medical training. He assesses disruptions in patients’ blood flow (Qi or Chi) along the body’s channels and meridians, then uses needles to restore natural flow.
Quick Case Study: Belmar Patients Receive Sports Acupuncture
It’s high school football season, and the injury is a high-ankle sprain after the athlete planted his foot and was hit from the side. Clint Price works with the young footballer to get him back on the field:
“Typically the road to recovery is longer than simply rolling an ankle,” said Price. “This injury touches ligaments higher than around the ankle, up in the lower parts of the shin. [High ankle sprains] often mean a six-to-eight-week recovery time due to poor blood supply…”
However, utilizing acupuncture can shorten recovery by one to two weeks—getting this athlete back on the field faster. “When patients follow guidance, we tend to see quicker recovery by optimizing blood flow to tendons and ligaments.”
Acupuncture simply stimulates blood flow. The more blood flow to an injury, the faster the healing process.
“On the first visit, we assess range of motion, swelling, and bruising to inform where the acupuncture process begins.”
After that baseline, Price typically uses 10–15 needles per session. “Too many needles dilute treatment—your body and brain can’t focus properly.”
Sessions last 15–30 minutes, allowing patients to relax while needles are in place. After removal, Price often follows with manual muscle work, stretching, and cupping. He then updates each patient on their treatment plan, outlook, and timeframe for reevaluation.
Thrive’s acupuncture patients are also surrounded by top physical therapists, chiropractors, and occupational therapists at both Belmar and Freehold locations.
Acupuncture Services for Sports Recovery
Depending on individual needs, Thrive offers:
- Standard acupuncture therapy
- Dry needling therapy
- Neuro-electrical acupuncture therapy
- Cupping therapy
Dive Deeper: Electro Acupuncture for Athletes
Thrive practitioners like Price also use electro acupuncture (PENS), a progression from TENS stimulation:
“Electrical stim works for a variety of treatments. The acu needle breaks the skin surface, allowing deeper penetration than a TENS pad.”
Electro acupuncture accelerates healing by getting into muscles and joint spaces that TENS can’t reach.
The Basics: Sports Acupuncture
At Thrive, acupuncture combines traditional Eastern medicine with Western medical schooling. Acupuncturists treat injuries or support recovery after heavy activity. Recommended uses include:
- Acupuncture therapy for neck pain
- Acupuncture therapy for back pain
- Acupuncture therapy post-injury
- Acupuncture therapy as part of sports recovery
“We describe sports acupuncture by talking about blood flow and how nerves interact with musculature,” says Price. Increasing energy and circulation to inflamed areas is the ultimate goal.
Possible Side-Effects of Acupuncture Care for Athletes
When undergoing acupuncture (or any physical therapy), keep in mind:
- First-time needling may cause pinprick sensation but is generally pain-free.
- Local bruising, soreness, mild bleeding, and muscle twitching may occur.
- Dizziness or faintness is possible—move slowly, hydrate, and rest post-session.
- Rarely, nausea, headache, or drowsiness may follow (which can be a benefit for relaxation and sleep).
Acupuncture is one piece of the recovery puzzle; combining it with physical therapy and nutrition yields the best results.
Living With Pain or Sports-Related Injury
Are the side-effects of acupuncture worse than living with pain or injury? Fear or disbelief is no reason to avoid this natural healing method, which carries little to no risk of re-injury.
Acupuncture is an investment in clean health and wellness, unlike pain-numbing drugs. It’s generally safe and effective, blending refined Eastern methods with Western recovery science.
FAQs
Who should receive acupuncture treatments?
Athletes, weekend warriors, and active individuals looking to accelerate recovery or maintain wellness.
What is acupuncture?
A branch of traditional Chinese medicine using fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints along channels and meridians to restore flow (chi) or blood circulation.
What is kinesiology?
The study of human movement, foundational to Western orthopedic care. Thrive’s acupuncturists use kinesiology tests (strength, muscle, range of motion) to diagnose overuse injuries and tailor treatments.
How long does it take for acupuncture to work?
Results can appear in one session (temporary relief). Most patients need up to three sessions for significant improvement. Chronic or long-standing pain may require a 6–12-week program, with gradual relief based on severity and root cause.
