The Acupuncture Outsider Podcast

Dr. Richard Hazel is a distinguished Doctor of Acupuncture and a New York State Licensed Acupuncturist, renowned for his expertise in Functional Acupuncture, with a specialized focus on Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture. With a passion for optimizing athletic performance and facilitating recovery, Dr. Hazel proudly partners as the acupuncturist for UB Athletics, working with their football, volleyball, and other dedicated athletes. A Leader in Integrative Sports Medicine Dr. Hazel's approach integrates advanced acupuncture techniques with a deep understanding of human physiology and athletic demands. His commitment to enhancing recovery, regeneration, and adaptation to exercise stress is evident in his significant contributions to the field. He is a co-author of Chapter 22, "Acupuncture: Its relationship to Recovery, Regeneration and Function," in the authoritative book Fundamentals of Recovery, Regeneration, and Adaptation to Exercise Stress: An Integrated Approach (Springer Nature). This publication solidifies his position as a thought leader in the application of acupuncture for athletic populations. Pioneering Education and Global Influence A graduate with honors from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine – New York, where he earned both his Master of Science in Acupuncture (Orthopedic & Sports Medicine) and his Doctor of Acupuncture, Dr. Hazel is a dedicated educator. He has developed and taught extensive curricula in Motor Point Acupuncture and Trigger Point Needling, sharing his knowledge through online courses on Podia and at prestigious international seminars. His teaching engagements span across Europe and Australia, including the European Sports and Orthopedic Acupuncture Congresses in Barcelona and Amsterdam, and workshops in Poland, Canada, Ireland, and France. His work has significantly influenced practitioners globally, establishing him as a world-renowned authority in Functional Acupuncture. Dedicated to Athlete Well-being Through his partnership with UB Athletics since 2024, Dr. Hazel provides cutting-edge acupuncture treatments to help athletes achieve peak performance, accelerate injury recovery, and maintain optimal physical well-being. His hands-on experience with collegiate athletes underscores his practical application of advanced acupuncture principles in a high-performance sports environment.

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2 hours ago

What Is The State of Education for Acupuncturists Working in Pro Sports? Can We Do Better?

2 hours ago

38 min

The handful of acupuncture educators who are teaching motor points and trigger points to people who want to work with professional athletes are able to successfully screen for movement dysfunction, manual muscle test and treat the injury with good results.
Can we do better than just treating once a muscle is in trouble?
Can we increase sports performance and avoid injuries? Of course!
But who's teaching how to treat for more power, agility and strength and how to avoid injury? That's the dream. When we are seen as a possible unfair advantage against other teams I'll feel we have attained our full potential as sports acupuncturists.

Online Courses: https://richardhazel.podia.com
Instagram: @richhazel

2 hours ago

38 min

Oct 17, 2026

Step By Step Guide to Treating Chronic Low Back Pain with Functional Acupuncture

Oct 17, 2026

32 min

This is the follow-up episode to my original Step By Step Assessment and Treatment of Low Back Pain. Please listen to that one as well. I'm referring to things in it in this episode.

Online Courses: https://richardhazel.podia.com
Instagram: @richhazel

Oct 17, 2026

32 min

Oct 11, 2026

Trigger Points That I See and Treat Every Week

Oct 11, 2026

26 min

Myofascial pain leaves so many people in chronic pain. Knowing how to locate active trigger points and deactivate them with dry needling is essential for anyone who wants fast and lasting results for chronic pain and for athletes.

Sorry for the sound issues. I'm working out some microphone setting issues.

Online Courses: https://richardhazel.podia.com
Instagram : @richhazel

Oct 11, 2026

26 min

Sep 19, 2026

Dry Needling of Injured College Athletes

Sep 19, 2026

19 min

Some oberservations about the injured college athletes I saw this week. (They all felt great at the end of their treatments).

Online Courses: https://richardhazel.podia.com
Instagram: @richhazel

Sep 19, 2026

19 min

Aug 30, 2026

Dry Needling For The Win!

Aug 30, 2026

29 min

Some cases from the week.
2 VMO trigger points on vastly different patients (a hockey player and a senior with OA)
Trigger points in the soleus of a college football player
2 trigger points in the Sartorius of another college athlete

Online Courses: https://richardhazel.podia.com
Instagram: @richhazel

Aug 30, 2026

29 min

Aug 22, 2026

Femoral Anterior Glide Syndrome

Aug 22, 2026

19 min

Deep groin pain in the anterior hip on hip flexion may be AGS and the problem is not in the front of the hip. It's in the back of the hip!

Online Courses: https://richardhazel.podia.com
Instagram: @richhazel

If you are watching on YouTube please Like Share and Subscribe to the Channel.

Aug 22, 2026

19 min

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