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Acupuncture for Physical Fitness
and Sports
By Carrie Elizabeth Sklar, Pacific
College Media
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What athlete hasn't gotten injured? No matter how physically
fit or well-cared for an athlete is, it is simply a fact of
life that injuries happen. But now that more and more athletes
are turning to acupuncture, these injuries are becoming more
preventable. |
Matt Callison, a licensed acupuncturist and faculty member of
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine specializing in sports medicine,
has traveled with the Minnesota Vikings during the 2001 playoffs
and now treats many of the San Diego Chargers players. "There
is much that acupuncture can do for sports injuries, especially
combined with Western therapy," Callison said. "Acupuncture
can quickly relieve pain and inflammation, and move blood stagnation
away from the injury. This, in turn, creates a more efficient
healing environment."
Callison adds, "There are differences between East and West
as far as treating and managing an acute injury. In the East,
the focus is on both the athlete and the injury while, in the
West, it is just the injury segment. Traditional Chinese medicine
fills in the gaps by addressing the individual in order to maximize
their healing potential. In the rehabilitation phase, the protocol
is further modified to retrain the athlete for their particular
sport."
Because acupuncture can both heal and help prevent future injuries,
athletes are less likely to suffer serious injuries by incorporating
it into their sports therapy. According to Marcellus Wiley, a
defensive end for the San Diego Chargers, acupuncture has been
an integral part of his athletic conditioning.
"I responded quickly and favorably to the treatment,"
Wiley said. "It was refreshing to receive therapy that allowed
me to sustain my health for the duration of a season and physically
grueling career."
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