If you’ve been obsessed with the Olympics lately, you might be wondering how these incredible athletes reach the top of their game. We definitely have.
It reminded us of 1% improvements, a concept that shows making as many tiny improvements as you can to your craft will help you achieve great feats. We wondered if acupuncture could be one of the tactics some of the best athletes in the world use to compete at the highest level possible.
And we were right – Dao Labs, one of my favorite companies who offers a modern twist on herbal medicine products, wrote an article in 2022 about 6 athletes who incorporate acupuncture into your training. This made us wonder who else might be on the list.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are some of our favorite athletes who use acupuncture to get to the top of their game:
DeeDee Trotter
Two-time gold medalist DeeDee Trotter is an incredible Olympic runner who competed in 2004, 2008, and 2012. Shortly after competing in 2008, DeeDee received surgery on her knee following a difficult injury. She speaks on what is like coming back from a career ending injury and winning two more medals, bronze and gold, in 2012.
DeeDee utilized acupuncture during this time to speed up the recovery process. This was a powerful tool for her to beat the odds and heal at a high enough capacity to compete at the most elite level in the world.
Gabby Douglas
Gabby Douglas made history as the first American gymnast to claim gold medals in the team and individual all-around events and first Black woman to win the all-around title. With three gold medals, she was certainly missed at this year’s Olympics in Paris due to a foot injury.
Gabby attributes acupuncture to being a key component in staying healthy and speeding up the recovery process. If she’s competing in 2028, we can expect her acupuncture routine to help contribute to her return.
Alex Naddour
Alex Naddour is a gymnast who won bronze in 2016 in the pommelled horse event. He attributes acupuncture and cupping to having a major role in managing pain and reducing muscle tightness. He said they are both a crucial part of his routine that leads to optimal performance.
After receiving multiple surgeries and noticing the wear and tear gymnastics has left on his body, he’s grateful to have these techniques to help him heal faster.
McKayla Maroney
Two-time Olympic medalist McKayla Maroney won gold and silver for gymnastics in 2012, she later said that the Olympics “felt like her purpose.”
It wasn’t an easy road for her to get there – she suffered from multiple broken toes on her way to the games. She attributed acupuncture to helping her recover fast enough to compete, and eventually winning.
Whether you’re an athlete or someone who’s looking for that extra 1% to help them feel good, there’s plenty of options at your disposal for getting there.
If you’re recovering from an injury, or simply looking to reach the top of your athletic performance, give me a call. We can get you in for an appointment and use our range of holistic treatment options, including acupuncture, to help you train and recover like an Olympian.
Comments