Supporting Santa Cruz Athletes: Acupuncture for Sport Medicine
Santa Cruz, An Athlete’s Paradise
Whether you’re chasing waves, bombing down mountain trails, scaling rock faces, smashing pickleball serves, or building strength in the gym, your body works hard to keep you doing what you love. But let’s face it: sometimes that hard work leads to pain, stiffness, or injuries that hold you back. That’s where acupuncture comes in.
There’s a reason why every professional sports team has an acupuncturist on staff.
Acupuncture is a powerful tool for sports medicine. By improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain, it speeds up recovery from injuries like sprains, strains, and overuse issues. Moxa, a warming therapy using mugwort, can enhance circulation in stiff and swollen areas—perfect after a chilly dawn patrol surf session. Cupping loosens tight muscles, while gua sha breaks up adhesions and fascia restrictions that might limit your range of motion. Whether you’re a surfer nursing a shoulder injury, a mountain biker with aching knees, or a climber working through finger tendon pain, these therapies can help you recover faster and stay active longer.
Acupuncture isn’t just for treating injuries; it’s for preventing them, too.
Regular treatments keep your body in balance, supporting muscle recovery, joint stability, and overall performance. Let’s keep you thriving out there on the trails, courts, waves, or wherever your passion takes you.
Working With Lee
“As a guy who generally shies away from doctor appointments, chiropractors etc. - I cant say enough about how effective Lee's acupuncture has been for my back/neck issues (pinched nerves/knots/pain from 20+ years hunched over a computer desk.)”
-Jamie N.
“Lee is the absolute best. I began seeing Lee for shoulder pain, a few short months and all pain was relieved. Lee was great and treats you holistically, she’s easy to talk to and is a wealth of knowledge. I continue to see her for all my issues, I call her my magician!”
-Christina O.
“Lee Lewis is exceptional! Her knowledge of the human body combined with her sincerity and true desire to help others make her great at what she does.”
-Cody M.
“I first saw Lee in 2017 for a nerve issue in my left leg that other doctors had told me was sciatica. And let me first say I had never had acupuncture before, I am not a fan of needles. However, my first visit with Lee changed my life. Now, years later, I walk normally and I am able to work out regularly where as before I could not do squats or any exercises that required both legs to be solid on the ground. Highly recommended. Thank you Lee.”
-Doctor Brass
“Lee is amazing. A couple of years back I was having fierce migraines that were completely debilitating me, a few rounds of her Herbs, Acupuncture, Gua Sha, and cupping and I haven’t had a migraine since.”
-Duncan S.
“Lee is truly gifted with needles. I’ve seen her off and on for 4 years or more, she’s been such a powerful component of all of my recoveries. From athletic injuries, to stressful times or other imbalances. I highly recommend her to all.”
-Todd P