Whitfield Reaves - acupuncture in sports

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'For athletes, a well-placed acupuncture needle can help muscles function better'

Whitfield Reaves, OMD, L.Ac. has been working in the field of sports medicine since he started his acupuncture practice in 1981. He currently resides in Maui, Hawaii. Over the past 40 years, Whitfield has gained experience in the world of elite sports, including the Olympic Games, numerous athletics, skiing, cycling, and triathlon events throughout America. In his teaching programs, he emphasizes the integration of traditional Chinese medicine with orthopedics and anatomy.

Whitfield is offering an interesting webinar for our members on the treatment of sports injuries as part of Acupuncture Week. We asked him to share some of his knowledge for those who are not yet familiar with acupuncture and who would like to know what acupuncture can offer in the treatment of pain or (sports) injuries.

For those unfamiliar with acupuncture, can you explain how it works and why it can be beneficial for athletes?
Whitfield Reaves: 'Each acupuncture point affects the body through its connection to anatomical structures, including nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. In athletes, a well-placed acupuncture needle can help muscles function better by activating them or resolving trigger points. This can relieve pain and improve movement. From an anatomical perspective, each point has its own reasons for influencing the body in a certain way. Therefore, I usually explain acupuncture using examples of specific effects of different points. But there is still much to learn about how all these effects are exactly interconnected.'

Can you share a success story where acupuncture made a difference for an athlete?
Whitfield Reaves: 'Over the years, I have treated many elite athletes and could tell many success stories. However, what characterizes working in elite sports events is that you are dealing with extreme physical performances where you must accept that what contributes to health and well-being does not always align with the athlete's current goal. For example, I remember treating a high jumper for the Olympic trials. To calm his nerves, I placed a Shenmen ear needle. This is an acupuncture point often used to reduce mental restlessness. It made him so relaxed that his coach panicked. The nervous behavior that characterized this athlete also gave him the energy to win his event. I had to adjust my treatment accordingly and quickly removed the needle.

I have been working with many athletes for decades, and the treatment is usually based on the individual's needs at that moment. The approach and points used vary greatly from athlete to athlete, from event to event. It also depends on whether you are treating for performance during a competition or for overall fitness and balance during training. An example is triathlete Colleen Cannon, with whom I have worked extensively. Through ear acupuncture, we discovered how she could optimize speed and endurance in a very specific way based on certain points.'

Can you tell me more about acupuncture in training and preparation for competitions?
Whitfield Reaves: "I encourage athletes to use acupuncture during their training, not just for a competition. Training builds yin energy¹, which forms the foundation for the intense yang energy¹ during competitions. That balance is essential. This is based on the same principle that endurance athletes use when monitoring their resting heart rate to prevent overtraining. A rapid pulse indicates a lack of yin and too much yang.

In this case, yang can be seen as overtraining, heat, mild inflammation, and so on. I often focus on the liver organ, which in Chinese medicine supports the muscles. Western physiology emphasizes its function to store glycogen, which are essentially long-chain sugars used for energy at a later time. It can be important for endurance, strength, and recovery. I also assess movement and alignment: an unstable pelvis ("lateral tilt" is a good description) can affect the entire lower body. Stability is crucial for injury prevention, so many lower body injury conditions start with pelvic imbalances. I use acupuncture to assess and treat the interaction of muscles, tendons, and joints, which helps prevent injuries and improve performance."

What can someone new to acupuncture expect during the first treatment, especially in the case of a sports injury?
Whitfield Reaves: 'It is not uncommon for a complaint to worsen in the first few days after treatment before it improves. This is a normal phenomenon and is related to the fact that the tissue is stimulated with a needle and a healing process is initiated. This takes time and too much stimulation can work against you. So, give your injury time to heal after treatment. Often, you will see improvement in the first few treatments. However, the amount of treatment needed depends on the type and severity of the injury.'

Do you want to know more about Whitfield? Check out his website here.

¹ You can read more about Yin and Yang here .

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