Sports Injuries & TCM

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When to get acupuncture

Acupuncture divides sports injuries into two main categories, which determine how treatment typically proceeds. Acute injuries (that happened recently) and chronic injuries (unresolved for 3 or more months).

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries need to be properly assessed before any type of treatment can begin. Most people are all too familiar with the feeling of a strain or sprain. If someone is unsure, however, it is best to get examined and properly diagnosed (possibly with the help of an X-ray or MRI) to rule out a more serious injury. Acupuncture should then begin as soon after an injury as possible for the best results.

Acupuncturists classify acute injuries as Excess conditions. An excess condition is just what it sounds like: there is an excess physical response (too much pain) or an excess biochemical reaction (too much inflammation or swelling). Acupuncture treatment given soon after an injury occurs encourages the body to deal with and process this excess in a rapid fashion. An improvement is usually noticed within one or two treatments. If an injury is not very severe, 3-4 treatments typically resolves the condition. More serious injuries require 4 treatments before an accurate prognosis and treatment plan can be given.

Right after an acute sports injury happens it is helpful to remember the acronym RICE. Each letter stands for one of the four steps to follow immediately after an injury: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. This will help quicken recovery and provide short term relief.

Chronic Injuries

Chronic injuries also need to be properly assessed before any type of treatment begins. It is important to determine if there is an underlying structural cause for a lingering injury such as a loss of cartilage, formation of scar tissue or degenerative damage of any kind. Once the complete underlying framework of the injury is understood, an acupuncture treatment plan can be devised to address both the main symptoms and their causes. This may include acupuncture treatments, Chinese herbal formulas, stretches and exercises, diet modifications and the use of liniments or balms.

Acupuncturists classify chronic sports injuries as Deficient conditions. Deficiency refers to a weakness or lack. Over time, unresolved sports injuries lead to areas losing strength, flexibility and stability. Instead of focusing on removing excesses, acupuncture for chronic conditions focuses on invigorating and strengthening specific parts of the body. This is done while also decreasing the pain that commonly accompanies most chronic sports injuries.

It is more difficult to generalize the length of treatment for chronic conditions because medications, prolonged inactivity, low morale & surgeries complicate treatment. Even so, a person should notice a positive change in his/her specific condition within 8 to 10 treatments, although many chronic injuries respond quickly to acupuncture. After which, an accurate prognosis for complete resolution of the problem can be given.

Treatments

Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Cupping (Wet/Dry/Bleeding), Acupoint Injection (Prolotherapy), Herbal Medicine (Internal/External): Regular Acupuncture would be the first choice, however, for chronic conditions, Cheong Holistic Medicine Clinic also offers Acupoint Injection Therapy, which is also called Prolotherapy. Herbal Medicine would be applied both internally and externally, this is the method passed down thru Generation to Generation in Traditional Martial Arts Medicine (a.k.a DitDa).

Dr. Oh is the fourth-generation successor of Tibet Lama Martial Arts, and a disciple of Grandmaster Lo, WaiKeung, who is semiretired now. Dr. Oh also is a certified Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor by Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu Association, which gave him a deeper understanding of Martial Arts and sports injuries. We will find the most suitable treatment protocols for the unique conditions in individuals, and we will treat you accordingly.