Uptown Acupuncture is the premier sports acupuncture practice in Denver, Colorado. Michael Lay, L.Ac., NBAO, C.SMA. at Uptown Acupuncture in Denver, offers sports acupuncture, a comprehensive and holistic healing modality designed specifically for athletes like you.
As an athlete, you subject your body to rigorous training and intense competition. These demanding activities can often result in injuries, muscle soreness, and other physical ailments that can significantly impact your performance.
Our sports acupuncture treatments not only facilitate faster recovery from injuries but also provide proactive injury prevention strategies, enabling you to optimize your overall physical and mental well-being.
At Uptown Acupuncture in Denver we offer the following techniques, as well as many others, to customize your individual treatment plan, getting you the most effective treatment for your needs.
Electro-Acupuncture is a specialized technique that helps to stimulate the muscles, promoting proper contraction and increasing deep blood flow.
Dry needling is a specialized technique that involves needling the muscles to trigger a small “twitch” response, which helps release tension and promote healing.
Cupping therapy involves the placement of cups on the skin to create suction. This suction promotes increased blood flow, moves lymph fluid, and aids in the recovery process.
Traditional acupuncture is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine. It involves the precise insertion of fine needles at specific acupoints to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and provide relief from pain and discomfort.
This involves conducting a comprehensive analysis of the body’s structures to identify any muscular imbalances that may be affecting the overall alignment and function of the body.
Manual muscle testing is a diagnostic technique that involves evaluating the strength and function of specific muscles to identify any underlying imbalances or dysfunctions that may contribute to an injury or condition.
As a masseuse, it is very important to keep my body in proper health. Michael has been the link to help me obtain that state of strength and health, not only in my hands and forearms, but also in my entire being. Thanks Michael.
Gregorio Pradera Official massage therapist for the Colorado Avalanche 2000-2021
Michael was great to work with during my training. He truly helped me perform my best and recover from injuries more quickly.
Mike Alvarado Former Top Rank WBO light welterweight champion
Great to work with Mike it really goes a long way when you can stay humble and make people around you feel comfortable. He has really helped me out with my professional fighters, getting them ready for a big combat events. Thank you very much appreciate what you do and the love you have for your profession.
Juan “Jon Jon” Vigil Trainer for Mike Alvarado
I have been a patient of Michael’s for almost a year. As a former professional athlete I have been exposed to many exceptional medical professionals—and have to say that Michael is one of the best. At one point in time I could barely move because of back pain and within a couple of treatment sessions, I was quickly on the mend. Whenever I have pain due to tight muscles he is able to calm it down and get me back to my regular activities. Michael is so knowledgeable and I’m thankful I found him!
Meredith McGrath
I highly recommend Michael for all your acupuncture needs. He’s incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, and truly takes the time to listen. His expertise with athletes at all levels is impressive, and he always seems to know exactly what’s needed. Whether you’re a competitive or recreational athlete, or just a parent chasing kids around, you can trust Michael to help you get back on your feet (literally!), feel great and perform at your best.
Caroline O’ConnorAcupuncture can effectively treat muscle strains and ligament sprains, accelerating the healing process.
Helps in the management of tendonitis and other overuse injuries common in sports activities.
It’s beneficial for addressing joint pain caused by sports-related wear and tear.
Effective for alleviating back and neck pain resulting from sports activities.
At Uptown Acupuncture, we specialize in treating common sports injuries using acupuncture. Our treatments address issues such as strains and sprains, joint pain, tendonitis, and back and neck pain, helping athletes recover faster and improve their overall physical health.
Sports acupuncture is a specialized and cutting-edge approach to injury recovery and performance enhancement for athletes. Our evidence-based approach, combined with personalized treatment plans, ensures optimal results and improved overall athletic performance.
Unlike traditional acupuncture, it also incorporates principles of western medicine and anatomy to provide targeted treatments.
Uptown Acupuncture offers a comprehensive range of techniques such as acupuncture, dry needling, electro-acupuncture, cupping, scraping, infrared therapy, manual muscle testing, postural assessment, and massage therapy. Sports acupuncture addresses the root cause of injuries and helps athletes get back in the game faster.
Sports acupuncture offers numerous benefits, including effective pain management, enhanced athletic performance, accelerated healing, and injury prevention. It also promotes relaxation and provides a non-invasive treatment option, helping athletes maintain their physical and mental well-being for optimal performance and recovery.
Stimulating the body’s natural pain-relieving mechanisms, acupuncture provides effective pain relief and reduces inflammation, potentially reducing the need for pain medications.
Acupuncture can optimize muscle function, nerve conduction and mental wellness, leading to improved athletic performance.
By improving range of motion, flexibility, and overall physical wellness, sports acupuncture can help prevent injuries from occurring in the first place..
Acupuncture can help to speed up the recovery process by promoting circulation and reducing inflammation, enabling athletes to resume training and competition more swiftly.
Acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and relaxation. This can help to reduce stress and tension in the body, helping athletes stay calm and focused under pressure.
Acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment that does not involve the use of drugs or surgery. This makes it a safe and effective option for athletes who want to avoid the risks and side effects associated with other treatments.
Sports acupuncture offers valuable benefits to a wide range of individuals, from elite professional athletes to collegiate athletes and even weekend warriors. Whether you aspire to reach the pinnacle of your sport or simply want to stay active and pursue your passion, sports acupuncture can provide you with an added advantage to keep you performing at your best.
Each acupuncture treatment is meticulously customized to meet the unique needs of every individual. What works effectively for one person may not be the optimal approach for another. That’s why a comprehensive assessment is conducted during the initial visit and subsequent appointments, allowing Uptown Acupuncture to determine the most suitable treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
Michael is the only one in the state that holds both of these certifications and is also board certified by the National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics. Additionally, Michael Lay, L.Ac. has received advanced training in orthopedic acupuncture from the American Acupuncture Academy in Los Angeles.
Since 2001 Michael as treated athletes of all shapes and sizes. Working with athletes from the NFL, NHL, MLB, and olympic teams, to the weekend warrior, to the grandparent recovering from surgery, to the grade school child who sustained an injury he has truly worked with a large variety of people. Michael welcomes the opportunity to see what he can do for you.Ready to talk? The Uptown Acupuncture team is ready to help you. Please use the contact form below and we will be in touch right away.
Acupuncture is a primary health care modality that has flourished in China for over 2,500 years and is widely used throughout Asia and in Europe. It is considered one of the newest primary health care provisions in this country. Acupuncture has grown as both western and oriental health care providers, medical researchers, and the public experience it, integrate it in their health care and spread its benefits. Far more than a technique of inserting tiny threadlike needles along meridian lines of the body, acupuncture’s complex system of diagnostic corollaries take into consideration you as a whole, not just isolated symptoms.
Acupuncture is practiced based on discerning a “pattern of disharmony” and treating accordingly. Acupuncture treats to strengthen your physical body, prevent disease, control pain, and achieve longevity. You will find the aim, as practiced in oriental medicine in general, is not limited to ridding or relieving symptoms. The larger picture is to increase both the quality of your life and your ability to function.
Acupuncture is a therapy which uses natural laws and energetics with the application of needles and pressure to specific “points” on the body. These points are grouped along specific pathways or meridians that cross the body. As long as the energy flows freely through these pathways, health is maintained. When the flow of energy is either absent, deficient, interrupted, excessive or blocked in an area, health is disrupted, resulting in illness or pain. By stimulating appropriate acupuncture points along these meridians, the energy is released and regulated, and health is restored.
Studies indicate that acupuncture influences the central and peripheral nervous system. Evidence shows it releases endorphins from the brain which make acupuncture particularly effective in pain control. Among a host of factors, acupuncture affects sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the blood, the functioning of the gastrointestinal system and the activity of the endocrine system. Acupuncture works with the body, harmonizing and balancing energy. It improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and allows the body to heal itself more quickly and more completely.
Yes. Because acupuncture treatment is drug-free, you avoid the risk of drugs which can cause many side-effects or dependency. During each acupuncture session your acupuncturist can adjust the treatment according to your symptoms so that you receive constant monitoring of any changes.
Acupuncturists receive extensive training and are licensed by strict state and country regulatory boards. Many highly trained acupuncturists work closely with medical doctors in their local community who regularly find the combination of treatments is very effective and beneficial for the patient.
Michael is a preferred provider for many large networks. It may be covered depending on the plan that you have through a certain network. We are more than happy to call and check for you to see if it is covered under your insurance. If it is covered we will take care of sending off all claims so you do not need to worry about any of the paperwork.
…About whether or not acupuncture is for you:
I am available for a courtesy consultation in person or by phone as time permits about any questions about acupuncture. Send us a message here.
…About your response to care:
If you have any problems, concerns, emergencies, or questions about acupuncture, please call me at (303) 200-0491. If my answering machine responds to your call, please leave a message. I check my messages regularly and will respond to your call promptly about answering any of your questions about acupuncture.
We are here to serve you and give you the very best of care.




I trust Michael Lay, L.Ac. for all of my acupuncture needs. He helps keep me in the game.
Erik Pears Former Denver Bronco