CHINESE MEDICINE FOR ATHLETES
INJURIES
With traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sports medicine we treat injuries related to sports, such as sprains, strains, pain, stiffness and many other conditions. However, TCM sports medicine can also treat illnesses and conditions which prevent people from playing sports and other physical activities.
There is much that TCM can do for sports injuries. TCM can help sports injuries by reducing swelling and bruising, increasing the range of movement in joints, and increasing blood flow to the area. This all speeds up the healing process. Acupuncture can quickly relieve pain and inflammation, and move blood stagnation away from the injury. This, in turn, creates a more efficient healing environment.
Acupuncture works at different levels to treat musculoskeletal injuries. It works on the whole body, as following an acupuncture treatment a variety of substances are released including endorphins, serotonin, and neuropeptides/neurotransmitters to aid pain relief and relaxation.
Acupuncture also has local effects. There is evidence that acupuncture can aid healing and resolution of injuries, including reducing pain, increasing local microcirculation and attracting white blood cells to the area, both of which speed the healing rate, and aid dispersal of swelling and bruising. Acupuncture releases chemicals which increase the healing rate of soft tissues, and speed nerve regeneration.
There are differences between East and West as far as treating and managing an acute injury. In the East, the focus is on both the athlete and the injury while, in the West, it is just the injury segment. Traditional Chinese medicine fills in the gaps by addressing the individual in order to maximize their healing potential. In the rehabilitation phase, the protocol is further modified to retrain the athlete for their particular sport.
RECOVERY
Because TCM can both heal and help prevent future injuries, athletes are less likely to suffer serious injuries by incorporating it into their sports therapy.
Physical exercise can take its toll on the body. To increase muscle strength and endurance you have to induce micro trauma which results in inflammation of the tissue and stresses the whole system.
Acupuncture will:
· Decrease the amount of swelling, inflammation, pain and bruising
· Decrease muscle spasms and the associated pain
· Decrease the healing time dramatically by improving the blood supply to the affected area and assisting with the removal of body waste products causing swelling
· Increase the range of movement especially in the treatment of joint injuries.
This may be knees, ankles, fingers, neck, back or shoulders.
· Acupuncture provide additional benefit in healing when used in conjunction with other therapies such as massage, yoga, and psychotherapy.
Yet recovery is more than physical healing. It’s getting into the right state of mind to perform again. Because the brain is integrally connected to every tissue and organ in the body; the mind is the body and the body is the mind. In the west we are trained to think of the body compartmentally while in actuality there is no separation. Acupuncture effects the body through this somatovisceral relationship allowing for a deeper, more wholistic healing of the body. So with traditional Chinese medicine we treat the body to treat the mind.
PERFORMANCE
The search for ways to enhance one’s physical health through supplementation is an age old one. Many herbal formulas, dietary regimens and exercise routines have been concocted over the past 5000 years of civilization. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the early Taoist sages deeply researched ways to prolong their own life spans. The research they did into the effects of various herbs and that of acupuncture on enhancing one’s physical health was very thorough and has many benefits for modern day society. This study has continued on for thousands of years and comes to westerners now when they need it the most.
Today TCM is being widely used by athletes from many different areas of athletics. It is being used to treat injuries and speed recovery times by everyone from NFL Football players to professional cyclists and tennis players. It is also being used to safely and naturally enhance athletic performance. A shining example is that of the 1993 Chinese National Games, nine Chinese women runners broke nine world records. In the 10,000 meter race, the previous record was broken by 42 seconds, an unbelievable time. The new 1500 meter record holder had been 73rd at the same distance the year before. Journalists and other athletes around the world took notice and accused the team of using steroids, even though the runners all passed steroid tests and there were no other indications of steroid use, such as acne or highly defined muscles. A press conference was held where Ma Jun Ren, the team coach, enraged by these accusations, held up a box of Chinese herbs he credited with his team's performance. It was derived from cordyceps, a traditional Chinese herb used for generations as a lung Qi tonic.
There are physical and psychological barriers to peak performance. Musculo-skeletal pain or dysfunction can have an inhibiting effect on training and results. Acupuncture addresses these. It also encourages clear headedness through its relaxing effects on brain waves, and can alleviate anxiety contributing to a better mental state, allowing sports people to perform at their highest level. In 2000 German researchers found that acupuncture increased strength in the quadriceps by 10 per cent.
At Ross Valley Acupuncture we use the five branches of TCM to help improve an athletes performance, those being acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, massage, and Qi Gong exercises including Tai Chi. This approach allows for a balanced regimen where the yin aspects, i.e. rest, meditation, deep breathing, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and yoga, are an integral part of the athlete’s training.
SYSTEMS TESTING
Using a multitude of tests from Genova Diagnostics we examine the different systems in the body to assure they are functioning optimally. For example, we may run an Optimal Nutritional Evaluation,to evaluate your overall nutritional status, assess the functional need for vitamins and minerals, and provide specific recommendations for supplementation.
Tests Available
Metabolic Analysis Profile assesses urine metabolites to evaluate four critical areas of metabolism: gastrointestinal function, cellular energy production, neurotransmitter processing, and amino acid-organic acid balance. Test results can be used to address chronic systemic complaints: fatigue and mood disorders to headaches, muscular/joint pain, and digestive problems.
Cellular Energy Profile evaluates fourteen organic acids that play a pivotal role in the generation of cell energy. Using a urine sample, the test can reveal metabolic distress associated with generalized pain and fatigue, which may arise in response to toxic exposure, nutrient imbalances, digestive dysfunction, and other causes. The profile also analyzes mitochondrial dysfunction and acquired errors of organic acid metals.
Comprehensive Detoxification Profile analyzes saliva, blood, and after- challenge doses of caffeine, aspirin, and acetaminophen in order to assess the Phase I and Phase II functional capacity of the liver to convert and clear toxic substances from the body. This profile includes markers for oxidative stress and important antioxidants. The standard profile analyzes saliva and urine to assess the Phase I and Phase II functional capacity of the liver to convert and clear toxic substances from the body.
Oxidative Stress Analysis (Blood & Urine) identifies markers of hydroxyl radical activity, urine lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, following a challenge dose of aspirin and acetaminophen. Offered by itself or included in the Comprehensive Detoxification Profile. Especially useful in cases of chronic fatigue, xenobiotic exposure, and chronic illnesses.
Comprehensive Cardiovascular Profile 2.0 analyzes blood for levels of HDL, LDL, lipid fractionation, total cholesterol, ratios, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Includes Relative Risk Indices and Metabolic Syndrome Alerts. Together, these markers provide a thorough assessment of cardiovascular health status.
Women's Hormonal Health Assessment provides a focused overview of hormonal balance in both pre- and post-menopausal women, using a single serum sample to evaluate dynamics of sex steroid metabolism that can profoundly affect a woman's health throughout her lifetime.
Estrogen Metabolism Assessments, Urine or Serum evaluate how estrogen is being processed in the body. The tests yield clinical insight into many estrogen-dependent conditions and provide important tools for monitoring dietary, lifestyle and hormone therapies.
Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment is a comprehensive analysis of thyroid hormone secretion and metabolism, including central thyroid regulation and activity, peripheral thyroid function, and thyroid autoimmunity. This serum test allows the practitioner to pinpoint commonly occurring imbalances that underlie a broad spectrum of chronic illness.
Bone Resorption Assessment is a simple, direct urinary assay of pyridinium crosslinks and deoxypyridinoline, useful in identifying current rate of bone loss, lytic bone disease, and efficacy of bone support therapies.
Adrenocortex Stress Profile is a salivary assay of cortisol and DHEA, imbalances of which are associated with ailments ranging from obesity and menstrual disorders to immune deficiency and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Male Hormone Profile analyzes four saliva samples over a 24-hour period for levels of testosterone. Elevated levels suggest androgen resistance, while decreased levels can result from such causes as hypogonadism, hepatic cirrhosis, lipid abnormalities and aging. The comprehensive profile includes the Adrenocortex Stress Profile and the Comprehensive Melatonin Profile to reveal how testosterone is influenced by cortisol, DHEA, and melatonin.
Female Hormone Profile analyzes eleven saliva samples over a 28-day period for the levels of ß-estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, providing clues about menstrual irregularities, infertility, endometriosis, breast cancer, and osteoporosis. The comprehensive profile includes the Adrenocortex Stress Profile and the Comprehensive Melatonin Profile to reveal how the sex hormones are influenced by cortisol, DHEA, and melatonin.
Menopause Profile examines three salivary samples over a 5-day period to determine levels of ß-estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone, and testosterone for women who are menopausal. The comprehensive profile includes the Adrenocortex Stress Profile and the Comprehensive Melatonin Profile to reveal how the sex hormones are affected by the influences of cortisol, DHEA, and melatonin.
Comprehensive Melatonin Profile analyzes three saliva samples for the secretion pattern of this important hormone. Melatonin imbalance has been associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder, infertility, sleep disorders, and compromised immune function.
The Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) is the original non-invasive evaluation of gastrointestinal function that includes analyses of digestion, absorption, bacterial balance, yeast and parasites. This profile is recommended for patients with diffuse and non-specific GI-related symptoms, such as indigestion, dysbiosis, constipation, and diarrhea.
Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) 2.0 uses advanced GI biotechnology to evaluate digestion, absorption, pancreatic function, and inflammation, in addition to bacterial balance, yeast, and parasite infection. This profile features exclusive new markers for assessing irritable bowel syndrome, sub-mucosal inflammation, colorectal cancer risk, pancreatic insufficiency, and occult infection.
Comprehensive Parasitology Profile evaluates stool for presence of parasites and levels of beneficial flora, imbalanced flora, pathogenic bacteria, and yeast. For patients with abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, and other GI-related symptoms.
Intestinal Permeability Assessment analyzes urine for the clearance of two non-metabolized sugars, lactulose and mannitol. Identifies "leaky gut" and malabsorption.
Bacterial Overgrowth of the Small Intestine Breath Test is a simple, noninvasive test that detects bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, a common condition that often underlies chronic symptoms of maldigestion and malabsorption, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, irregularity, and abdominal pain.
Heliobacter pylori Stool Antigen test is an FDA-approved evaluation of H. pylori antigens shed directly in the stool. This test is useful for detecting the major causal bacterium associated with peptic ulcers, chronic gastritis, and increased risk of gastric cancer. This noninvasive test also provides a simple and sensitive clinical tool for monitoring eradication therapy.
Allergy Antibody Assessment Options
- IgG Food with IgE Food - IgG antibody levels to 88 foods, IgE antibody levels to 19 foods, and Total IgE.
- IgG Foods - 88 foods and Total IgE (detailed information here)
- IgE Molds - 15 common molds and Total IgE (detailed information here)
- IgE Inhalants - 14 common environmental inhalants specific to 18 North American geographic regions and Total IgE
- IgG Vegetable Food Add-On - 21 vegetarian foods with a total IgE
- IgG Spices - 24 commonly used herbs and spices and Total IgE
To view sample reports of any of the above tests, click here.
Celiac Profile
Clinical studies indicate the Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase IgA/IgG and Endomysial IgA antibodies as highly prevalent and reliable for non-invasive assessment of Celiac Disease. Our profile includes Total IgA to rule out false negatives in IgA immunodeficient individuals, and the Endomysial IgA as a reflex when indicated. Anti-GLiadin IgA and IgG is available to establish levels and use as a monitoring tool for successful elimination of gluten. Click here to read more!