Acupuncture points are thought to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals in muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes can stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. Acupuncture is gaining popularity among all types of amateur and professional athletes.
Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation, reduce anxiety, and relieve tense muscles. It includes other modalities such as electroacupuncture, suction cup, sha water, infrared heat lamp therapy and moxibustion. Acupuncture helps stimulate the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (part of the brain that stores traumatic memories) to release the “reinforcing tension” of the nervous system, where the nervous system is trapped in “fight or flight”, and helps form new neuropathways (over time) around a sense of security.