Chinese Martial artists for the last 3000 years have been training and getting injured the same as today. In fact martial artists that were considered ‘Masters’ at the time were mostly doctors or bone setters. If you aren’t healthy, you can’t train its that simple. Obviously Physical Therapists and Western Medicine were not around, but hey also weren’t needed. The Chinese used herbs and body therapy techniques to heal injuries and keep students in top condition. The big ‘secret’ about these techniques is that Westerners just aren’t educated about Chinese Sports Medicine. The product regimen of these natural products, in most instances are far superior to anything even available to a Westerner. For instance in training westerners make big use of supplements of protein and such, it would just take a couple minutes of anyone’s time to see that 90% of products on the market have never shown a gain in athletes. The difference here is that Westerners are trying to chemically break down and synthesize natural processes in your body for a greater effect.
The Chinese however use 5000years of research on herbal properties to enhance or heal their bodies with little or no side effects. Another main difference is that Westerners prefer to ‘grin and bear it’. When they get bumps, bruises, sprains, strains, and aches unless it is seriously affecting them, Westerners will just try to ‘walk it off’ or ignore it. The only thing this accomplishes is that you ‘baby’ the injury and usually injure another part of your body by, say walking differently. Another problem here is that you not helping the injury heal, you want to be proactive with injuries. Lastly, these injuries can have lasting effects. Bruises are patches of stagnant blood over your muscle that could harden and crystallize over your muscle, giving you pain for years to come. A last great example of Chinese Sports Medicine is they don’t use ice. The short explanation here is think about what your muscles do when they are cold, what does fluid do when its exposed to freezing temperatures? Ice will help reduce inflammation, but with a huge cost. A simple mixture of Chinese herbs however can sedate paid, reduce inflammation, and most importantly remove stagnant blood and fluids and bring in fresh healing blood to the area.
So what can you do to be a newly informed person in Chinese Herbal Medicine? Well, unless your an herbalist or Oriental Medical Doctor you will have to buy some product to get you going. Here is your short list:
Liniments or Dit Da Jow – You need to be able to have a product that will relieve pain, warm up muscles, remove bruises, and relieve aches and pains.
Ice Substitute – This one is a tough one for you if you don’t buy some type of product like Herbal ICE. However, remember if you ice to only ice for very short periods of time.
Emergency Products- Such as those to stop bleeding, and pills like Trauma Pills.
Here are some helpful things to have around should you choose not to buy product, or keep as emergency.
Agrimony – Stops bleeding. Take internally as strong tea, or bruise together and apply to wounds. Burning it and using the ashes would be superior to stop bleeding.
Tea Tree Oil – Here is an all around First Aid miracle. Apply to bumps, bruises, sprains ect for pain relief. Mix a few drops with Vegetable oil if you have sensitive skin.
Valerian Root – Chew on the dry root for pain relief. Not only will this taste horrible which may distract from pain, but Valerian dry has the most pain relieving properties
Aloe Vera – Since this is a readily available product, i will recommend this for inflammation suggestion. Rub directly on inflammation and take internally often. Fresh Aloe Gel is almost always food quality, and can be used medicinally as well. Alternatively, use all Yin Tonic herbs for inflammation.
Sean is a Chinese and Western Herbalist who specializes in First Aid and Sports Medicine. For more info or products in the article visit Dimmak Herbs Supplements.
Article Source: About Chinese Training And Sports Medicine