How Acupuncture Can Help Soothe Pregame Anxiety
May 7, 2024
The topic of mental health in sports has been mostly ignored until fairly recently. But thanks to several high-profile athletes’ willingness to open up about their struggles, the topic is no longer quite so taboo.
“Athletes at all levels are realizing the importance of their overall mental health, mental preparation before an event and mental recovery afterward,” says Thomas R. Betts, DAOM, LAc, a sports medicine acupuncturist at Henry Ford Health. “Having your mind in the right place pays big dividends in terms of sports performance.”
One of the many tools athletes are using to get their minds healthy is acupuncture. It may be an ancient Chinese practice, but it can be useful to 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. Acupuncture practitioners (acupuncturists) insert very fine, thin needles into the skin at various points on the body, depending on what condition they’re treating.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the insertion points for the needles correspond to specific internal organs or energy channels in the body. “The philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine is that acupuncture works by manipulating the flow of blood and energy to create balance and harmony in the body,” says Betts.
From a Western medicine perspective, acupuncture works by stimulating the central nervous system and by having some direct effect on the tissues in which needles are placed. Acupuncture also has a balancing effect on hormones within the body. It works well with other treatments for anxiety such as sports psychology, massage therapy, guided visualization and meditation.
How Can Acupuncture Improve Sports Performance?
Acupuncture has long been used to help people relax, reduce stress and cope with anxiety. And it can have that effect even when the acupuncturist is treating a physical problem. “Even when I’m treating an athlete for a sports injury, when I ask how they feel post treatment the overwhelming response I hear is ‘I feel so relaxed,’” says Betts.
This is why acupuncture seems like a natural fit for helping athletes of all levels cope with performance anxiety, pregame jitters or other competition-related fears. “Reducing stress helps athletes perform better,” says Betts. “And more and more athletes are realizing that taking care of their mental health and using tools to stay mentally focused can really enhance their performance.”
When Should Athletes Try Acupuncture?
Since an acupuncture session can leave you feeling super calm and relaxed, you don’t want to try it for the first time right before a game or competition. “The timing is important,” says Betts. “You want the athlete to feel motivated to compete, not totally Zenned out.”
The best approach is to schedule a series of acupuncture sessions in the weeks leading up to a big game, competition or race. Betts says he typically recommends athletes come in twice a week for three weeks to get started. “It’s not about treating their anxiety in the moments before a game,” he says. “It’s about establishing a baseline of calm that they can carry with them into the competition.”
While there’s still some stigma surrounding athletes and mental health, Betts sees the popularity of acupuncture as one sign of a shift. “I think we’re trending in the right direction for mental health,” he says. “Athletes are starting to understand that if they want longevity and success in their sport, they need to take care of their mental and emotional health—not just the physical.”
Reviewed by Thomas Betts, DOAM, RAc, a certified sports acupuncturist who sees patients at the Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine in Detroit.
To find a sports medicine provider at Henry Ford Health, visit henryford.com/athletes or call 313-651-1969.
Stretching Done Right: Easy Tips To Stay Limber
By
Christina Chapski, Ed.D., AT, ATC
Henry Ford Health
November 7, 2023
Stretching is more than just a workout suggestion – it's a vital way to avoid injury and get the most out of your activity. You wouldn’t take your car on a long drive without making sure it’s in tip-top shape, right? So before you work up a sweat, work up a stretch.
One important thing to keep in mind is that dynamic stretching is best. It uses momentum to propel your muscles into an extended range of motion. Unlike static stretching, where you remain in an almost still position, a dynamic warm up is the best way to get your blood flowing and your heart rate pumping.
To get your muscles primed for activity, high knees, "butt kicks" and side shuffling are more effective than standing quad stretches. If you are doing an upright quad stretch, it's best to lean back a little to get the full benefit, since your quads originate from above the hip. Also, remember to always grab the ankle and not the toe.
Here are some other helpful hints on how to warm up the right way:
- For hamstrings: The hamstring muscle attaches to your bones below the knee at the back of the leg, so you want to avoid bending them (which ultimately shortens the muscle you’re trying to stretch). When bending at your back, make sure to keep your spine straight like a table to elongate those muscles. Keep your chin up. If you bend down to touch your toes, there’s no need to hover closer than six inches above the ground – unless you’re able to comfortably do so.
- For pectoral muscles: "Door stretches” offer the best stretch. Simply place your arms out on either side of you as if you were making a “T” with your body. Then, bend your arms up at your elbows so they each form a 90-degree angle. In this position, put your arms on either side of a door frame, with your body within the frame’s opening and walk forward slowly to open up the chest.
- For triceps: Make a gesture like you’re scratching your upper back and be sure to keep your elbows in for maximum benefit.
- For the torso: The iron cross stretch involves putting your arms out at your sides like a “T” and then rotating at your waist side to side. You can also drop down toward the floor and reach for your toes, one side at a time.
Other great tips to add to your stretching repertoire include:
- Don’t forget to keep breathing throughout your stretch. It will help keep your muscle tissue oxygenated.
- Hold each stretch for 10 to 20 seconds, aiming for three repetitions of each. If you prefer, you can split up your stretching throughout the day, or use props like foam rollers to help ease tension in your muscles and break up knots.
- Listen to your body while stretching. Slight pain is acceptable, but if your muscles start shaking, it's a warning for you to stop.
- Don't give up. Stretching progress can be slow, so comparing your progress to that of others will only discourage you. Pay attention to your own progress. Seeing your body become more flexible when you previously weren’t limber will help keep you motivated and is the ultimate reward.
To find a sports medicine doctor or athletic trainer at Henry Ford, visit henryford.com/athletes. Christina Chapski, Ed.D., AT, ATC, is the director of athletic training and community outreach at Henry Ford Health. Read more of Chapski's articles.