I offer a perspective that neither damns nor privileges a controversial set of practices.
Injury is a nightmare almost all athletes suffer at one time or another. Some are serious, such as Peyton Manning’s neck injury, whilst others reoccur, as in the case of John Orozco. Clippers forward Nic Batum has suffered niggling injuries that have plagued his career, whilst over in baseball, Aaron Judge is known to frequently be on the treatment table for minor stresses, tears, and strains.
Depending on the injury, treatment might be done with their teams, in a hospital, or something athletes might do themselves. Often, free agents have to prove fitness, so they undergo treatment, desperate to earn a contract. Unfortunately, those treatments can sometimes be off the wall. So, here is our rundown of some alternative treatments athletes undertake to get or stay fit.
Courtesy YouTube
Onsen: Onsen is a traditional Japanese hot spring bath renowned for its therapeutic and rejuvenating properties. It is also a cherished cultural experience where people immerse themselves in mineral-rich waters to relax, unwind, and connect with nature. The source Expatbets explains that they’re quite common across Japan and can be found in dedicated resorts, where people travel to relax and rehabilitate. The Tawarayama Onsen is believed to have certain healing properties due to the high alkali content in its water.
As The Mainichi reveals, members of Canada’s rugby team use the spa when visiting Japan. That might not be useful to U.S. athletes, but their use as a post-workout aid for Japanese competitors has some scientific grounding. Is it a good healer? No, it is probably not if you have serious injuries, but bathing sore muscles in warm water can improve circulation, relieve pain, and treat some skin conditions. Therefore, Onsen could help prevent injury, if not cure it, as part of a post-workout regime.
Yoga: Joe Johnson wasn’t known as a man who suffered many injuries because he practiced yoga when he wasn’t on the court. Yoga is a holistic practice in ancient India that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and ethical principles to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It is believed to help heal back pain and shoulder injuries, which benefits sports like basketball, swimming, and weight lifting.
Is it effective? Johnson certainly believes so, as he’s seeking to open his own hot yoga business. Aaron Judge is also a huge fan of yoga. So, again, as part of a recovery plan, it has benefits, but as a treatment, perhaps not so much.
Courtesy Harvard Medical School
Acupuncture: For laypeople, it is hard not to imagine acupuncture making you look like the antagonist from the eighties horror film Hellraiser. However, acupuncture is an accepted treatment across the world. It involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate those points and promote healing and pain relief. It is often used to treat Iliotibial band syndrome (pain between the knee and the hip).
Former Marlins pitcher A. J. Burnett was known to use acupuncture throughout his career, and the late Kobe Bryant was also a huge fan of acupuncture, using it so that he ‘wouldn’t get hurt’ (Business Insider). NFL’s Aaron Rodgers uses acupuncture, too. Can it be used to treat an injury? Possibly. There’s an argument that it is more effective than our first two examples.
Conclusion
We could have discussed more alternative therapies – Magnet therapy, the Wim Hof Method, Massage therapy, and Cupping, for instance – it’s a long list. For each, someone will argue the benefits of the treatment, while others claim otherwise. The best bet is to consult a doctor and get proper medical treatment. However, there’s no issue with using an alternative therapy as part of the prevention process or as part of a balanced rehabilitation. The strongest argument for these therapies is the placebo effect, especially how they tap into the power of the mind.
Suppose you believe something is benefitting you. In that case, it may well do just that. Consider the findings associated with the study Mindfulness and Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy of Injured Athletes Returning to Sports. Therefore, whilst Onsen and yoga might not help heal your bones, they could provide a state of mindfulness and promote swifter healing.
