Chinese Sports Medicine: Treatment and rehabilitation for injuries
The sporting world has increasingly been embracing the use of Chinese Medicine, particularly acupuncture, in the treatment and prevention of injury, as well as performance enhancement.
This is not the beginning of Chinese Medicine’s influence on the sporting world. Over a thousand years ago Shaolin Monks developed a whole system of sports medicine called Dit Da Yao (Hit medicine) to be taught to Martial artists in order to treat and manage injuries obtained during training and combat. Since then the use of Chinese Medicine for injuries has grown to become an essential part of sports medicine not just in China but in the world of sport.
Research has shown that the effectiveness of Acupuncture isn't just restricted to sporting injuries. One particular German study in 19831, followed the use of Acupuncture on 153 accident patients. This study showed that Acupuncture can provide significant improvements to aid a patient’s rehabilitation and improve quality of life.
The treatment of injuries can be divided into 3 stages.
In the acute injury stage treatment is focused on reducing inflammation, relieving pain and clearing stagnation caused by bruising and swelling with liniments such as Zheng Gui Shu
The post acute stage focuses on reducing any lingering swelling clearing any remaining bruising or swelling and gently starting to increasing the flow of blood to the area
Chronic injury treatment focuses on nourishing and strengthening the muscles, tendons and ligaments, using heat and other techniques to increase flexibility and free movement as well as injury prevention.
During treatments a combination of local and distal acupuncture points are used to help encourage healing. For example, with a knee injury, points around the knee (local points) would be used in combination with points elsewhere (distal points) to help clear swelling and promote circulation. During the 2nd and 3rd stages Moxibustion may also be used on the needles to conduct heat deep into the area, increasing blood flow and releasing muscular tension.
Chinese herbal medicine is also often used during the different stages of treatment in a variety forms. We stock a range of topical liniments, oils and plasters that can be used during or between treatments to increase healing rates.
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The sporting world has increasingly been embracing the use of Chinese Medicine, particularly acupuncture, in the treatment and prevention of injury, as well as performance enhancement.
This is not the beginning of Chinese Medicine’s influence on the sporting world. Over a thousand years ago Shaolin Monks developed a whole system of sports medicine called Dit Da Yao (Hit medicine) to be taught to Martial artists in order to treat and manage injuries obtained during training and combat. Since then the use of Chinese Medicine for injuries has grown to become an essential part of sports medicine not just in China but in the world of sport.
Research has shown that the effectiveness of Acupuncture isn't just restricted to sporting injuries. One particular German study in 19831, followed the use of Acupuncture on 153 accident patients. This study showed that Acupuncture can provide significant improvements to aid a patient’s rehabilitation and improve quality of life.
The treatment of injuries can be divided into 3 stages.
In the acute injury stage treatment is focused on reducing inflammation, relieving pain and clearing stagnation caused by bruising and swelling with liniments such as Zheng Gui Shu
The post acute stage focuses on reducing any lingering swelling clearing any remaining bruising or swelling and gently starting to increasing the flow of blood to the area
Chronic injury treatment focuses on nourishing and strengthening the muscles, tendons and ligaments, using heat and other techniques to increase flexibility and free movement as well as injury prevention.
During treatments a combination of local and distal acupuncture points are used to help encourage healing. For example, with a knee injury, points around the knee (local points) would be used in combination with points elsewhere (distal points) to help clear swelling and promote circulation. During the 2nd and 3rd stages Moxibustion may also be used on the needles to conduct heat deep into the area, increasing blood flow and releasing muscular tension.
Chinese herbal medicine is also often used during the different stages of treatment in a variety forms. We stock a range of topical liniments, oils and plasters that can be used during or between treatments to increase healing rates.
Back to articles