Staying Healthy and Active as a Mountain Diva: Is Acupuncture the Key?
Acupuncture – many people know it involves needles, but not a lot more than that. A long and frustrating episode of “climber’s elbow” was how I first started seeking out acupuncture treatments last year. For months I tried the rest, ice and physical therapy route, but none of it was working! So, I decided to explore acupuncture as an alternative therapy – I was desperate to be ready for the upcoming ice climbing season. Through my own regular acupuncture treatments I began learning more about how acupuncture is such a useful tool for not just treating injuries, but keeping my body on an even keel. It can relieve pain, promotes overall general health and has been credited with even treating infertility and disease! So, I recently asked acupuncturist and extreme mountain diva Almine Barton, L.Ac., M.Ac.O.M, C.F.T, who practices out of Bend, Oregon at the Wellness Doctor to answer a few questions about how acupuncture – even just one session a month – can benefit the active (and healthy) mountain diva.
MD: Thanks for helping out and sharing your expertise, Almine! First off, how can acupuncture “general treatment” help?
AB: Acupuncture has been proven to boost overall immunity – it helps regulate hormones, which is particularly important for female athletes, improves digestion (you can never have too good of digestion), and reduce stress – we could all use that!
MD: How often should an active mountain diva go to acupuncture?
AB: For athletes not actively recovering from an injury I recommend once a month for “maintenance”. This is important to keep delayed onset muscle soreness inflammation down, joints healthy, sleep sound and digestion maintained.
Otherwise, during the acute injury phase (and depending on the severity of the injury), I recommend two to three times per week for a period of about four to six weeks as general protocol, obviously adjusted to each individual’s needs.
MD: How can acupuncture help a mountain diva who is recovering from an injury?
AB: By overriding the pain response in the body and “re-booting the nervous system,” which tells the body it is in pain. You could think of acupuncture almost like “re-booting” a computer. There is a saying in both homeopathy & Chinese medicine: “Treat Like With Like.” We override the pain response in the body by stimulating the area of pain. This “re-sets” an overall systemic pain response in the area of injury, thereby “canceling” it out.
MD: What are some of the benefits of acupuncture – physical and mental?
AB: Acupuncture soothes the Parasympathetic nervous system, releases “feel good endorphins,” and sends a cascade of anti-inflammatory compounds to the local area needled. We know, through science, that various lobes of the brain light up during an MRI, while receiving acupuncture. What we don’t understand yet fully is why; in “research speak” this is worded as: “The Mechanism Of Action Is Unknown.” To put it simply, we know acupuncture works, but can’t fully explain it yet.
MD: What should a mountain diva look for in an acupuncturist?
AB: They should look for an acupuncturist that is certified and licensed by an accredited school and also, that they specialize in your area of concern. What most people don’t know is that there are many systems of Oriental medicine: Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Ayurvedic, Auricular, etc. Not one system is the “lock-and-key” fit for everyone. It may take experiencing a few different practitioners to find the right fit. For instance, I don’t respond very well myself to Chinese acupuncture, but I respond exceptionally well to Japanese acupuncture. Not one system works well for every ailment. A good acupuncturist is a “chameleon” in the sense that they use the most effective system for the given ailment.
What would you say is the biggest benefit to acupuncture?
There are too many to list, and it’s hard to say, because it’s about what you value the most. Is it immunity? Relaxation? Pain reduction? Better sleep? Hormone balancing? Acupuncture and oriental medicine can do all of these things…and more.
As an active mountain diva yourself, how do you work acupuncture into your training regimen?
I get acupuncture at least once a month for overall wellness. We regularly change the oil in our cars, why not our bodies? Maintenance is paramount to athletic longevity.
For more on Almine – the climber, CrossFitter, mountain biker, trail runner and adventure racer – and her background in acupuncture and holistic treatments check out bendwellnessdoctor.com and alminewellness.blogspot.com
This information is designed for educational purposes only and should not be used in any other manner. This information is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.
- Posted by Maijaliisa Burkert
