Summer Injury Prevention & Performance Tips with Acupuncture

Summer is the best time of year to soak up nature and enjoy movement. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), summer represents the season of maximum yang energy, expansive, active, and vibrant. We see this all around us: flowers in full bloom, long sunlit days, and people outdoors doing what they love.

This seasonal shift brings natural energy highs, making it the perfect time to:

• Go hiking, biking, or take long walks

• Wake up at least one hour before sunrise

• Stay up a bit later (around 10 p.m.) without disrupting your energy balance

• Enjoy cooling, hydrating foods like:

  • Cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes

  • Watermelon, peaches, asparagus

  • Cilantro, dill, mint, romaine lettuce, watercress

These practices help align your body with the rhythms of the season, supporting better digestion, sleep, mood, and energy.

Injury Prevention During Peak Activity

With higher activity levels, summer also tends to bring an uptick in injuries, from overuse, missteps on trails, or just doing too much too fast.

That’s where acupuncture can be a powerful tool.

At Hawthorne Acupuncture & Integrated Medicine, Dr. Cheryl specializes in sports and pain acupuncture. Her approach targets:

• Motor points to reset muscle firing patterns

• Tissue health restoration to improve healing

• Key acupuncture sites to relieve tightness and inflammation

• Movement retraining to restore proper mechanics

This not only helps reduce pain but prevents injuries from recurring, especially when combined with individualized stretches, rehab strategies, and stress-reduction techniques.

Let Us Know How You’re Doing

If you’ve had a recent injury or are dealing with lingering pain, let Cheryl know at your next visit so your treatment plan can shift accordingly.

If someone you know is struggling with a sports or movement-related issue, we’re happy to reach out. With your permission, we can send a short email explaining how our approach could help. If a name comes to mind, let us know their contact info.

Enjoy the season, and stay strong, cool, and healthy!