3. PROSPORTS ACUPUNCTURE Goal for Professional Athletes
Professional Athletic
Trainer
• Massage
• TEN’s
• Saunas
• Stretching
• Etc.
Traditional Medical
Science
• Prescription Medication
• Surgery
PROSPORTS ACUPUNCTURE
• Modern Application of
Ancient Chinese
acupuncture
• Diagnostics use
traditional & modern
techniques
• Specific treatment
based on differential
diagnosis
• Safe, drug free
Maximized Player Availability
4. Referred Pain
Prescription Med Side
Effects
Headaches &
Concussion Symptoms
Nerve Pain (post
surgery)
Functional Complaints
Relief &
Improvement via
PROSPORTS
ACUPUNCTURE
PROSPORTS ACUPUNCTURE Help for Professional Athletes
5. Back Pain Neck Pain
Trigger Points Atrophy & Weakness
Musculoskeletal Pain
Relief &
Improvement via
PROSPORTS
ACUPUNCTURE
PROSPORTS ACUPUNCTURE Help for Professional Athletes
6. PROSPORTS ACUPUNCTURE Help for Professional Athletes
High Reward
- specific treatments
focused on routine problems
and injuries encountered
within each sport.
- Prevent future injury and
supplement physical therapy
- A safe, drug free therapy
in the age of PED testing
and biological passports.
Low Risks
- Short term worsening of symptoms (typically
resolves in a few hours)
- Increased lethargy/sleepiness or conversely,
increased energy (typically resolves in < 24
hrs)
- Slight bruising and or hematoma at site of
needle insertion
8. Q Where / When / Who?
• Exam or treatment rooms (beds/tables)
• 1 or 2 treatments / week
• ProSports ACUPUNCTURE appointments, generally at 20 minute
intervals and 20 to 40 minute in duration
Q What are the benefits for a team medical facility to
offer acupuncture?
• ProSports ACUPUNCTURE specific treatments focused on routine
problems and injuries encountered within each sport.
• Prevent future injury and supplement physical therapy
• A safe, drug free therapy in the age of PED testing and biological
passports.
PROSPORTS ACUPUNCTURE Information for Professional Athletic Trainer
9. ProSports ACUPUNCTURE is an adjunct therapeutical
approach based on an ancient practice, that is low risk, non-PED,
supplemental approach for maximizing player court time.
presented by:
Matt Skahill, M.Ac., L.Ac.
Founder of ProSports Acupuncture
Matthew.Skahill@gmail.com
215-2764-5575
www.prosportsacupuncture.com
PROSPORTS ACUPUNCTURE
• Founder of ProSports ACUPUNCTURE
• Diplomate of Acupuncture distinction from National
Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine 2013
• Master’s in Acupuncture Studies, Won Institute 2008
• B.S. Science Philadelphia University 1987
11. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
Historical Overview
• First recorded history was Han period (206 B.C. to A.D. 220).
Documented pharmacopoeia and remedies. Texts were inscribed
bamboo and wood strips.
• Earlier, oral tradition dating to 1,500 B.C.
• Refinements over the centuries and millennia with Dynastic rule
changes (Tang, Song, and Ming).
• Cultural exchange with Europe began in 16th century with printed
publication and translation of Dr. Li Shizen's compendium of materia
medica. Knowledge further spread through observations of
missionary workers, various military incursions, expanded trading
routes.
12. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
Historical Overview cont'd.
• Scientific review/study undertaken in 20th century.
• Consolidation of practices and traditions throughout 20th century.
Current acupuncture theory refined under Chairman Mao in the
1950's.
• Collective recorded knowledge and theory is vast. Princeton U. has
over 75,000 original volumes on Chinese Medicine in its Gest library.
13. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
Theory
• Yin and Yang - Taoist philosophy applied to medicine. Balance viewed
as key to all natural phenomena and biological processes.
• Vital Organs (12) - Functional relationship of vital organs are key to
differential diagnosis in Chinese medicine. Relationship, more than
structure, is emphasized.
• Meridians - outgrowth of the relationships between and among
organs. Kidney, Heart, Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, etc. These are
lines, channels, emanating from and interconnecting with all organs.
14. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
Theory cont'd.
• Acupuncture points - specific locations along meridians. Each point is
named and numbered.
• There are in excess of 350 defined acupuncture points. Of these, 60
or so are most commonly used. Points are located anatomically at
structural junctures and proportionately to the relative size of
individuals.
• Acupuncture points have unique and specific actions such as "clear
heat", "build blood", "tonify", etc. Terminology is rooted in Taoist
philosophy of interconnection. Root causes of disease are defined by
imbalances of the holistic connections between organs, skeletal
structure, and humoral fluids.
15. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
Applied Theory
• Diagnostic methods. Acupuncture theory requires the patient be
diagnosed via standard procedures and practices. Patient Interview,
observation, palpation, and listening are employed diagnostically.
• Why is he looking at my tongue? Tongue and Pulse reading are two
long-standing traditions in acupuncture diagnosis. Radial pulse
positions are palpated for pulse rate, depth, quality. Tongue coat
color, tongue body shape and color are viewed to diagnose internal
imbalances.
• Differential Diagnosis. There are 8 categories: Yin/Yang,
Internal/External, Cold/Hot, Empty/Full.
16. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
Applied Theory cont'd.
• All disease (pain, illness, injury, etc.) fall into one or two of the eight
categories. The 8 categories overlap. Symptoms must match up to
differential diagnosis in order to pick the appropriate acupuncture
points and initiate healing.
17. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
Modern Application of Theory
• Differential Diagnosis can be translated into today's medical
terminology. Whether reading lab values or imaging, the
acupuncturist can relate modern clinical findings to traditional
theory.
• Acupuncture point selection and successful treatment outcomes can
be achieved in combining the two modalities. Acupuncture can be
designed to support and enhance standard medical care.
• An acupuncturist with a strong foundation and understanding of
injury in both modern and historic contexts can shape treatments to
suit certain specialities.
18. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
Clinical Practice
• Athletes can gain an advantage in injury prevention and treatment
with Sports specific acupuncture
Urgent Therapies/Treatment
When your pain stands front and center with an urgency for relief,
ProSports ACUPUNCTURE has developed focused treatments to
address common problems, including:
• Headache Relief
• Back-ease
• Pain Reduction
• Zen Calm
19. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
*Clinical Practice cont’d.
*How does acupuncture work?
*The truth is no one knows. While many theories are offered, reproducible evidence-based studies are
few. Explanations thus far include the possible release of endorphins and the therapeutic stimulation of
nerves.
*How many treatments will I need?
*The answer depends on your individual case. Generally four to six treatments are required for
symptom relief. More or fewer treatments may be required, depending on the severity of the pain
*or problem.
*How often do I come for treatments?
*ProSports ACUPUNCTURE treatment frequency may be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly,
depending on your individual case and the particular treatment needed.
20. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
*Clinical Practice cont'd.
*Are there restrictions after treatment?
*No restrictions apply after a treatment, and athletes may go directly to other training regimens.
*How soon can I expect relief?
*Physical responses typically take one of three scenarios:
1. Symptoms are relieved within 48 hours of treatment, with improved stamina and reduced inflammation.
2. No immediate change in symptoms is seen. Four to six treatments may be required before relief kicks in.
3. Symptoms may intensify as part of the body’s natural healing response. In some cases, timing must be
managed to avoid this scenario on or immediately before game day or competition.
*Are there side effects?
*Generally, there are no side-effects. Some people feel energized after a treatment, others feel groggy
or sleepy. Slight bruising (hematoma) at the site of the needle is possible.
21. Acupuncture: Practical Information for the Professional
Athletic Trainer
*Clinical Practice cont'd.
*Does it hurt?
*Barely. You feel a slight pinch, pull, or ouch when the needle is gently placed into an acu-point just
under the skin. The sensation subsides in a few seconds. Most patients are deeply relaxed and many
fall asleep during treatment.
*Where do the needles go?
*Needles are inserted at specific acu-points on the body, depending on the condition you are
experiencing. Most are placed on the lower legs and feet and fore arms and hands, in one of the more
*than 360 acu-points on the body.
*Are the needles sterile?
*Yes, only one-time use, sterile, stainless steel needles are used. Each needle is discarded into a
medical sharps container after use.
