Acupuncture is one of the pillars of Chinese Medicine and is a technique that has been used for thousands of years to treat an array of different conditions including pain. For years it has been employed extensively in sports and rehabilitation and in recent years it has been proven to be beneficial also in the cycling world.

What is acupuncture and how does it work? 

Acupuncture is a technique that involves inserting hair thin needles in different points on our body to produce analgesic and anti-inflammatory chemicals that reestablish our physiological balance. By placing needles in specific locations the nervous system can be stimulated to activate our own natural healing and recovery mechanisms. 

What are the benefits of acupuncture for cyclists? 

Cyclists use a specific set of muscles and are susceptible to traumatic injuries and muscle strain, tendon and joint inflammation. Acupuncture is very helpful in alleviating pain, it’s beneficial in recovering after exercise and physical and mental fine tuning:

• by speeding up recovery and healing processes
• relaxing tense muscles
• dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow
• calming irritated and inflamed nerves and tendons
• reducing heart rate
• imroving immunity and making your body less susceptible to illness

To sum up acupuncture can help enhance passive recovery and help improve active recovery without increasing heart rate and without putting unnecessary strain and tension on muscles, joints and tendons especially if they are sore or injured.

What is the “Puntos de Salud” method for cyclists? 

During your first visit we will perform a detailed intake of your physical condition and evaluate your pulse and tongue according to the theory of Chinese medicine. We will thereafter propose a personalised treatment plan focusing on those muscle groups which show more pain or discomfort.

If you are a new patient we will be happy to offer you the possibility of purchasing a 5 treatment package for a special price (information on our website) and introduce you to a natural way of healing.

Who can profit from these acupuncture treatments? 

Cycling enthusiasts (amateurs and professionals alike) or athletes in general are a fit for this type of treatments. We will develop an individualised treatment plan for each specific case however generally speaking we do suggest to have a treatment after each ride especially if you are riding on a daily basis over several days. This will help you recover faster, improve your performance and avoid potential injuries caused by overusing your muscles.

What else can you do to minimise cycling recovery after your ride? 

Acupuncture is an excellent and effective tool to help you recovering faster but don’t forget to apply some other basic tips:

• at a wide variety of foods that are preferably in season and high in calories
• hydrate abundantly
• avoid alcohol consumption, it has a diuretic dehydrating effect
• rest and sleep as much as you can, it is important to keep your energy levels high and your nervous system alert and reactive

Enjoy your bike ride and the beautiful scenery on the island of Mallorca!