February 25, 2021

EP29 Buffalo Bills Team Acupuncturist Amps Up Sports Medicine

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“I think too many people wait until they are injured or wait until they're sick, and they get reactive instead of proactive with their health."–Dan Dominguez

In our latest podcast episode, we’re speaking with special guest Dan Dominguez, M.S. L.Ac, the team acupuncturist for the NFL team, the Buffalo Bills, and the clinic director of BOSA Acupuncture and Wellness.

At BOSA, Dan calls on his expertise in neurofunctional acupuncture, trigger point therapy, dry needling and distal acupuncture to treat the Buffalo Bills players, as well as many local and visiting athletes. When he is not in clinic, you can find Dan educating other sports acupuncturists, both in the U.S. and internationally, on injury healing and prevention treatments.

Show Notes:

0:40 Introduction on Dan Dominguez, M.S. L.Ac, Clinical Director at BOSA Acupuncture and team acupuncturist for the Buffalo Bills.

2:00 Dealing with a severe leg injury that took him out of college football, and how this was a blessing in disguise that started him on a journey of health and wellness.

4:00 Significant swelling decreased when he received acupuncture treatments from his uncle, which inspired him to become an acupuncturist himself.

5:30 His profound healing surprised his doctor, who didn’t believe he recovered that quickly from Chinese Medicine. His doctor laughed him out of the room, convinced he was taking HGH (Human Growth Hormone).

7:35 Ironically he was later approached by his college sports medicine department to help them integrate acupuncture into their injury treatment protocol.

12:47 His success in clinic and excitement for his future in acupuncture helped him to overcome the repercussions of his injury and lengthy recovery.

13:35 Early on his practice, Dan handled a myriad of general pain problems.

15:25 Motor-point acupuncture opened a whole new world of treatment, especially in orthopedic treatment.

17:55 Neurofunctional acupuncture involves the use of electrical stimulation in motor nerves to elicit a twitch or response and to stimulate activation of that muscle.

21:00 Once you get a muscle to fire on the table with electric stem acupuncture, it’s much easier to see rehabilitation in real life.

24:00 Heat, liniment and epsom salt can help stimulate blood flow and push out stagnation.

25:00 Using warming herbs for wind and cold conditions and how Dit Da Jow liniments are very potent in addressing injuries.

27:00 In treating the Buffalo Bills, his Friday protocol for players involves activation of muscles and treating acute injuries so they are ready to play on Sunday.

30:49 Overall advice: “Don’t start digging the well until you’re already thirsty.” Be proactive. You’re either going to pay for it now, or pay for it later, and it’s a lot cheaper now in the prevention stage.

31:40 In martial arts, he sees a lot of chronic injuries from overuse.

32:00 It’s important to address lingering chronic pain and find the source of it. Lifestyle habits should include daily stretching, doing some meditation, getting enough sleep and drinking enough water, among other things.

35:00 Too often athletes push themselves relentlessly without any time to recover fully, which leads to overtraining injuries.

37:00 Conducts workshops to help other acupuncturists learn the techniques of neurofunctional acupuncture and invites others to contact him about their questions.