At Inner Works Acupuncture, Five Element acupuncture and Zero Balancing (hands-on bodywork) are used to free up and balance energy flow in the body. From chronic pain to fatigue, sleep disorders, and headaches, acupuncture and Zero Balancing can be lifesavers.
Did you know that acupuncture and Zero Balancing also have amazing health benefits for athletes? Here are some reasons why acupuncture and Zero Balancing are perfect for runners.
1. Enhances Performance
Acupuncture and Zero Balancing prior to a big run can enhance performance by bringing the body into optimal balance. Five Element acupuncture restores energy flow in the body, removing blockages and balancing the acupuncture meridians (rivers of energy that flow through the body like a circulatory system).
Zero Balancing works with the bones, joints, and ligaments to align body energy and structure. It is a gentle form of hands-on therapy that uses traction and fingertip pressure on key areas of the body to promote internal harmony, balance, and stability.
2. Creates a Relaxed and Focused Mind
An added benefit of both therapies is your mental state. Acupuncture and Zero Balancing create a quiet mind. A focused, relaxed, mental state benefits athletes by freeing the mind from distraction and anxiety during peak physical challenges.
3. Soothes Aching Muscles and Joints
Running puts a lot of stress on bones, joints, and muscles pounding the pavement day in and day out. The biomechanical stresses of running plus fatigue can lead to pain and deterioration of tissue. Acupuncture and Zero Balancing can release tissue-held tension, help remove toxins, increase blood flow, and generally assist in restoring damaged muscles.
4. Speeds Your Recovery
Regular exercise is essential to maintaining health. Unfortunately, it can also cause deterioration of joints, bones, and muscles if you do not give yourself enough time to heal between activities. The high impact of running can exacerbate this issue. One effective way to counteract this effect is to use acupuncture and Zero Balancing regularly, and especially following a big run. Rest and proper nourishment are most essential to recovery, and healing modalities can hasten the process of restoring the body to peak condition.
5. Increases Your Zzzzzz’s
One of our favorite benefits of acupuncture and Zero Balancing is their ability to improve overall sleep quality, which is essential for runners. Running when you’re overly tired increases the likelihood of injury and results in a slower muscle recovery time. The more sleep you get, the better equipped you are to observe proper workout techniques, not to mention maintaining necessary stamina.
