Treating Sports Injuries, Surgical Preparation + Recovery with East Asian Medicine
Do you have a new, lingering or recurring sports injury?
Are you preparing for or healing from a surgical procedure?
Do you have an old injury, accident or surgical site that flares up, gets stiff or causes pain, especially during weather changes, sitting for a long time or during exertion?
For thousands of years, East Asian Medicine (EAM) has offered a comprehensive treatment approach for healing from injuries, accidents and, in more modern times, surgical procedures. After receiving proper medical care and treatment, EAM can serve as a powerful complement to quicken the healing process and mitigate chronic issues. Tools include acupuncture, herbal medicine formulas, poultices, liniments and ointments.
The 3 Stages of Healing from Injuries, Accidents and Surgeries
EAM categorizes injury, accident and surgical healing into stages: 1) acute, 2) sub-acute and 3) chronic. During each of these stages, acupuncture with herbal medicine(s) are BFFs and work in a complementary manner to achieve the best outcomes.
Stage 1: Acute
Signs and Symptoms. During the Acute Stage 1, the body is in a strong defensive state - it is an “inflammatory” phase. There may be pain, swelling, bruising, heat and redness - whether the injury is external (like an superficial wound), internal (such as a sprained ankle, broken bone or surgical procedure) or a combination of both. These reactions are the result of the vital energy of the body (the Qi) stagnating along with blood and body fluids. This stage usually lasts about 1-7 days from the date of the injury, accident or surgery, depending on the severity.
Treatment Goals. Stage 1 external herbal formulas tend to be cooling or neutral in temperature, while internal formulas generally focus on breaking up stagnation/stasis, reducing pain, and restoring the free flow of blood and Qi. Acupuncture is utilized as a complement to manage pain, decrease inflammation, move qi and blood, and calm the nervous system.
Stage 2: Sub-Actute
Signs and Symptoms. During Stage 2, treatment can be more direct and aggressive. More warming poultices, ointments and liniments are used to disperse residual swelling, or small pockets of swelling around the injured area. Herbal soaks and applications of wet heat (contraindicated in Stage 1) can now be used. Herbal soaks are particularly useful for softening and dispersing remaining pockets of congealed blood and fluids that can cause tissues to adhere to each other, thereby preventing them from sliding smoothly across one another.
Treatment Goals. Stage 2 internal formulas still focus on breaking up stasis, reducing pain, and restoring the free flow of blood and Qi. Some tonic herbs are also included to help the body repair damaged tissue and bone. Acupuncture is utilized as a complement to manage pain, decrease inflammation, move qi and blood, and calm the nervous system.
Stage 3: Chronic
Signs and Symptoms. Stage 3 typically begins 3-4 weeks after the injury, accident or surgery. Improper treatment in the earlier stages of injury can extend this stage to months or even years. Swelling and inflammation are usually gone, but stiffness, aching, pain and restricted motion may still be present. Wind (spasms and/or the coming and going of pain), cold and damp (swelling) may be present in the local area due to poor local circulation or deficiency of Qi and blood. Injuries to tendons and ligaments can take up to 6-8 weeks to heal completely, and in severe cases, it can take even longer. Additionally, constitutional factors and underlying chronic illness may impede the overall healing process.
Treatment Goals: Stage 3 liniments, and soaks can be quite warming and focus on driving out wind, damp and cold, while simultaneously reducing chronic pain and relaxing stiffness and spasm. Some Stage Three external soaks and liniments are specifically engineered to soften and disperse bony calcifications. Stage 3 Internal Formulas focus more on tonifying Qi, Blood and Yang in order to help the body repair damaged tissue and bone, while still including a few herbs to dispel any remaining stasis. Some formulas help prevent the body from forming calcifications like bone spurs. Acupuncture is utilized as a complement to maintain the smooth flow of qi and blood, nourish any depletion of resources and help relax and soften stiffness. Acupuncture is utilized as a complement to manage pain, decrease inflammation, move qi and blood, and calm the nervous system.
Interested in learning more? Wenatchee Community Acupuncture offers consultations, acupuncture, cupping and herbal medicine to get you where you want to go in your recovery process. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out or schedule an appointment to get things started.
References: Bisio, T. (2004). Tooth from the Tiger’s Mouth: How to Treat Injuries with Powerful Secrets of the Great Chinese Warriors. Fireside Books.