See what Dr. Wadsworth Tyler, MD said about acupuncture for sport medicine. (https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/fulltext/2006/02000/acupuncture_in_sports_medicine.1.aspx)

Acupuncture is a minimally invasive, relatively safe medical procedure that appears to have complex effects on the central and peripheral nervous system, immune system, and pain perception. Although acupuncture should not supplant the role of conventional therapies such as rehabilitation to treat these conditions, it is a useful adjunct to treat pain, which can inhibit muscular contraction, interfering with rehabilitation and athletic performance.