Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, is a healing science that has developed and evolved over thousands of years. Generations of martial arts masters used this medicine to effectively and quickly treat injuries sustained during training or combat. In fact, healing techniques that were particularly effective were considered a competitive advantage for a martial artist to have. Therefore, secrets were heavily guarded, being passed on from teacher to only a few worthy disciples for generation after generation.
Today, no longer a heavily guarded scecret, this traditional form of sports medicine has evolved into a comprehensive, safe, and holistic form of health care. It can not only relieve pain, decrease healing time, and resolve stubborn ailments, but also increase energy, stamina, and flexibility. In fact, many professional sports teams have full time acupuncturists on staff to help their athletes recover from their injuries quickly and perform their best.
TCM includes acupuncture (the insertion of very fine needles just under the surface of the skin), and also encompasses other healing methods such as herbal supplements, dietary therapy, cupping, heat therapy, electro therapy, massage, and qi gong (controlled breathing exercises). Whether you are a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, these synergistic techniques can direrectly address your needs as an athlete by helping injuries heal faster, decreasing the ocurrence of new injuries, and helping you feel and perform your best.
Acupuncture and Sports Injuries
Sports injuries encompass a broad range of musculoskeletal concerns that afflict individuals who participate in sports. These injuries typically result in damage to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints of sports participants, as these are the areas that are stressed the most during play. Examples of common sports injuries include ankle sprain, shin splints, trigger finger, tennis elbow, neck strain, and runner’s knee.
Specific acupuncture techniques have been developed to safely and effectively treat sports injuries, both acute and chronic. Along with its complementary modalities, acupuncture can work to not only reduce pain, but also speed up the healing process, so that you can get back to doing the activities that you enjoy.
In the treatment of sports injuries, acupuncture works on two different levels. On one level, it works on the local area of injury by increasing blood circulation and attracting a healing response to the where the needles are placed. The local increase in blood circulation has the effect of reducing healing time and aiding in the dispersal of swelling and bruising. In addition, an increase in the number of white blood cells and biochemicals in the area speed up the healing rate of soft tissue as well as reduce pain.
Acupuncture also works on the whole body to treat sports injuries. It causes the body's nervous system to release a variety of chemicals, including endorphins, serotonin, and neurotransmitters, which aid in the healing process by reducing pain and promoting relaxation all over the body.
Additionally, because acupuncture can increase flexibility, decrease muscle tightness, and improve overall health, not only can it treat injuries, it can help prevent new ones from occurring.
Performance Enhancement
Acupuncture is commonly seen as a therapy for the treatment of pain. However, unlike many other forms of health care, Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on the preservation and improvement of health and not just the treatment of disease. Therefore, acupuncture is not just useful for the treatment of injuries and ailments, but is also effective in helping you become a better athlete by enhancing performance.
The chemicals released by the nervous system during acupuncture cause a relaxation effect. This effect bolsters performance by loosening the muscles and also reducing anxiety. Not only does this mean an increase in flexibility, stamina, and range of motion, but it also means an alleviation of some of the mental barriers that athletes experience which might hinder performance.
Angie Ng is a licensed acupuncturist who practices in Chicago, IL. Her specialties include sports injuries, pain management, anxiety, and women's health.