by Nancy Sondel

The Chinese have a saying: "Where water flows, there's no stagnation." A reminder that in our bodies, as in the external world of nature, movement is essential to life. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, the subtle energy that animates life is known as Qi ("chee"). When Qi is blocked by injury, pain, disease or stress, TCM works to restore a balanced flow. The result, patients claim, is an enhanced sense of well-being and vitality. "TCM treats the whole patient, mind and body-including depression from restricted activity," says Frank He, international lecturer, Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) and founder of the new Sports Injury Clinic at Five Branches Institute: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where Dr. He is also a department head.

Other healthcare practitioners concur. Marcia A. Male, R.N., who holds a TCM master's degree, reports, "One of my patients, age 60, had become inactive due to stress and health problems. After 18 months of acupuncture, he's now training to compete in a triathlon."

TCM, America's fastest-growing medical profession, derives from a 5,000-year-old system that combines five healing "branches:" acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Tuina (therapeutic massage), dietary and lifestyle tips. These may be supplemented by Qigong (breathing exercises to strengthen internal organs), and martial arts.

How does TCM treat sports- or activity-induced injuries? Acupuncture, or needling, is a major technique. Key acupuncture points have been known to martial artists since the earliest times-used either to harm or enhance health.

TCM focuses on treating a disorder's root cause-blocked or stagnated Qi-rather than merely alleviating symptoms. As in Western medicine, TCM practitioners recommend icing injuries for the first 24 hours. TCM also prescribes Chinese herbs similar to Arnica for swelling and pain. A bandage-type plaster may be used, delivering herbs that penetrate the skin and promote healing.

After the first day, says He, "We use warmth to carry away fluids and acids that accumulate in the joint. We improve circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the site, reducing swelling. For the long run, we try to prevent scar tissue from forming and stiffening."

When injury occurs, TCM practitioners (also trained in Western clinical medicine) may order X-rays to identify fractures. Some patients choose TCM to complement Western therapies, such as surgery or drugs, in acute and emergency situations. Since TCM discourages disorders from worsening or becoming chronic, it may eliminate the need for drugs or surgery.

Dr. He cites a musician who drummed with both feet, eventually re-injuring his "surfer's knee." The drummer saw Dr. He two days after the injury, knee swollen, arriving on crutches. His physician had recommended surgery but Dr. He gave him one acupuncture treatment, plus herbs and the patient returned a week later-without crutches. Not all sports injuries improve so quickly. But, TCM practitioners note, recovery from surgery may take as long, or longer.

Adam White, L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist and herbalist), holds a master's degree in TCM. As head of Capitola Acupuncture, he has seen TCM's dramatic results.

"When acupuncture is applied for just 15 minutes to a newly strained or sprained area," he says, "there can be a rapid decrease in swelling, pain and redness. It's exciting to watch the healing process."

White adds that many professional athletes use TCM, which speeds the healing of broken bones. With more chronic problems such as "frozen shoulder," bursitis or tendonitis, as few as four to nine treatments may effect a permanent lifestyle change, where patients can return to sports and daily living activities.

TCM results can be also measured scientifically. One of Dr. He's patients underwent open knee Surgery before seeing him. After two weeks of physical therapy, she had progressed from bending her knee at a 75-degree angle to bending it 84 degrees (a gain of 4.5 degrees per week). Her physician said she'd have to bend it 110 degrees to avoid manipulation. That is, a machine would forcefully bend her knee to break up the surrounding scar tissue.

The woman discontinued physical therapy, except for her home exercise program. Dr. He used acupuncture and herbs to dissolve the knee's scar tissue and increase her circulation, making the joint, tendons and ligaments more flexible. After six treatments in three weeks, the woman's pain diminished and she could bend her knee 110 degrees-doubling her weekly gain to nearly nine degrees with TCM.

TCM sports medicine benefits most everyone, from kids (who enjoy Tuina massage) to seniors with chronic conditions. "Sometimes when people are injured, they don't feel too bad, so they don't seek proper care," explains He. "In time, their bodies change and the injury bothers them more ..." For 10 years an aching hip plagued Gary Anderson, a semi-retired electrical engineer and lifelong athlete. The hip disorder, traced to a ski accident, grew more prominent over the years. Walking and exercising became a chore. Finally, Gary sought relief at Five Branches' Sports Injury Clinic. After three acupuncture treatments, accompanied by Chinese herbs, Gary's hip felt fine. Happily, he went surfing in Hawaii, "for the first time ever!"

Dr. He, an eight-time state champion decathlete, recommends not limiting one's exercise to violent or active sports. "Try Qigong meditation or Tai-Chi," he advises. "These bring you into balance, like Yin and Yang ... so your body can be hard like a rock, or soft like water."

Water flows, without stagnation.