The topic of mental health in sports has been largely ignored until recently. But thanks to some famous athletes opening up about their struggles, the topic is no longer so taboo.
“Athletes at all levels recognize the importance of overall mental health, mental preparation before an event, and mental recovery after an event.” Thomas R. Betts, DAOM, LAc, a sports medicine acupuncturist at Henry Ford Health. “Keeping your mind in the right direction has great benefits for sports performance.”
One of the many tools athletes use to improve their mental health is acupuncture. This may be an ancient Chinese custom, but it could help improve the mental health of modern athletes.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a healing technique that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Acupuncturists (acupuncturists) insert very thin, thin needles into the skin at various points on the body, depending on the condition being treated.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the point of needle insertion corresponds to a specific internal organ or energy channel in the body. “The philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine is that acupuncture manipulates blood and energy flow to create balance and harmony within the body,” says Betts.
From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture works by stimulating the central nervous system and directly affecting the tissue that is penetrated by the needles. Acupuncture also has the effect of regulating hormone balance in the body. It is effective when used in conjunction with other treatments for anxiety, such as sports psychology, massage therapy, guided visualization, and meditation.
How can acupuncture improve sports performance?
Acupuncture can help people relax, reduce stress, deal with anxiety. And the effects can be seen even when an acupuncturist is treating a physical problem. “Even when Treating sports injuries for athletesWhen we ask people how they feel after treatment, the overwhelming answer is ‘I feel so relaxed,”’ says Betts.
This is why acupuncture seems like a natural fit for athletes of all levels to help them deal with performance anxiety, pre-game jitters, and other competition-related fears. “Reducing stress improves athlete performance,” says Betts. “And more and more athletes are finding that taking care of their mental health and using tools to stay mentally focused can really improve their performance.”
When should athletes receive acupuncture?
Acupuncture can make you feel very calm and relaxed, so it’s best to avoid trying acupuncture for the first time right before a game or competition. “Timing is important,” Betts says. “We want athletes to feel motivated to compete instead of feeling completely helpless.”
The best approach is to schedule a series of acupuncture sessions a few weeks before a big game, competition, or race. Betts said he typically recommends athletes start out twice a week for three weeks. “It’s not about alleviating pre-game anxiety,” he says. “The important thing is to establish a baseline of composure that you can carry into the game.”
While prejudice still remains in those around us, Athletes and mental health, Betts sees the popularity of acupuncture as one sign of change. “I think we’re heading in the right direction with mental health,” he says. “Athletes are beginning to understand that if they want longevity and success in their sport, they need to take care of their mental and emotional health as well as their physical health.”
Reviewed by Thomas Betts, DOAM, RAcis a certified sports acupuncturist who sees patients at the Henry Ford Exercise Medicine Center in Detroit.
To find a sports medicine provider at Henry Ford Health, visit henryford.com/athletes or call 313-651-1969.
