Acupuncture, which has been a common practice around the world for at least 3,000 years, is a traditional Chinese medicine. It incorporates a technique of balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

Acupuncture has been shown to increase circulation at the site of an injury, help to relax tight muscles and reduce overall muscle fatigue and soreness. Some top athletes claim that this treatment can work to speed up recovery time.

Acupuncture is a minimally invasive, relatively safe medical procedure that appears to have complex effects on the central and peripheral nervous system, immune system, and pain perception. Although acupuncture should not supplant the role of conventional therapies such as rehabilitation to treat these conditions, it is a useful adjunct to treat pain, which can inhibit muscular contraction, interfering with rehabilitation and athletic performance.