When clearly understood, the terms acupuncture and fitness easily go hand in hand. Rather than warily asking the question “you’re going to stick what in my skin?” a basic understanding of the premises of acupuncture will lead most people to seeing how the practice can be a significant component of an overall fitness program. Perhaps because acupuncture comes to the Western world from far off and mysterious places in East Asia, insight into the process of sticking needles into the skin remains somewhat elusive. Without going into a detailed and clinical description of how acupuncture will contribute to improved fitness, some basic elements of the practice will be addressed.
Firstly, to dispel any fears that one may hold regarding needles, an acupuncturist uses filaments. FILAMENTS, NOT NEEDLES! These filaments are sharp-tipped objects that penetrate the skin, though only deep enough for the filament to be held upright. Truly, just below the surface. And truly, it does not hurt. The filaments are so light in weight that it simply does not take much to support them upright. What, one may ask, does this have to do with fitness? Well, in Eastern medicine, Chi energy is seen as the stuff that feeds the life force. When chi energy is blocked or stuck, the individual is not able to be as healthy as usual. When chi energy is not flowing fluidly through the entire system of what the acupuncturist calls meridians, then an individual is not able to perform at peak levels. In a nutshell, when chi energy is stifled, an individual’s overall fitness and well-being are compromised. Filaments are placed along strategic locations along a person’s meridian. At these sites, the energy is freed from the blockage and the individual is returned to his or her naturally flowing state of health and fitness.
For an athlete, it is critically important that the body be as fluid and unfettered as possible. This allows the peak performer to achieve at optimal levels. Acupuncture contributes to this. For those who engage in casual and recreational fitness pursuits, the fluidity that effective acupuncture can create will lead to increased performance levels as well as reduced risk of injury.
Fitness may be viewed in yet another light. Acupuncture plays an increasing role in the medical arena, for those in recovery from addictions, and for those seeking relief from anxiety and the basic stress of life. Effective resolution of these issues is clearly a step toward enhanced fitness.
Though still mysterious to many in the Western world, acupuncture will increasingly be associated with health, well-being, and fitness. With increased understanding and acceptance of the basic concepts and premises of placing filaments into the body to unblock chi energy, a new tool will be used by many in their efforts to improve health. Indeed, acupuncture and fitness will be woven into the same fabric of a more healthful approach to life.