Char Marie, L.Ac. Acupuncture, Qigong Healing and Herbal Medicine
For Athletes
Athletes have unique needs when it comes to wellness and healing programs. Chinese medicine offers a tailored, individualized approach to the athlete's needs, while taking into account the unique environment in which they train.
My practice offers an approach to total wellness for the athlete. We strengthen the constitution, as well as treat the root cause if there is an injury. Our focus is on prevention, and a strong constitution. Also, we consider the environmental factors in which an athlete trains. This is often very important, as the environment can exacerbate pre-existing constitutional weaknesses, creating additional challenges. For example, athletes who train and compete in water, such as rowers and swimmers will face environmental challenges of "dampness" and possibly even cold, in Chinese medicine diagnostics. The athlete who plays beach volleyball, or runs marathons will be working within the environment of extremes of heat. These environmental factors play into maintaining healthy balance in the body and can affect the body physically and energetically, to predispose to certain imbalances, and injuries. It is very important to be aware of, and in harmony with, the training and competing enviroment of the athlete, as well as their own personal constitutional makeup.
There are many benefits for the athlete who uses Chinese medicine. Here are but a few:
~ Acupuncture and qi healing, qigong practice and herbs can greatly help in the healing of injuries when they
do occur, by tonifying the energy system and the immune system, as well as promoting circulation of blood, lymph,
and qi in in the body. In such a way, also, acupuncture alleviates pain.
~ Athletes who learn and practice qigong can experience the general benefits of health that meditation gives,
which include increased energy and awareness, centeredness, improved balance and movement with greater
ease. The regular release of stress from the body is important in maintaining your performance and preventing
overtraining and burnout which are common. Qigong helps bring a foundation of balance to your athletic
training, that is also useful in everyday life.
~ Energy awareness that comes through healing work and self practice with qigong in particular, can be of use in developing
an enhanced awareness on the court or playing field as well as in everyday life. Many team sports require
a sense of intuitive connectedness and communication, between teammates as well as players and coaches,
which can be described as not only intuitive, but perhaps even energetic in nature. Qigong practice is a great way
to gain sensitivity and awareness, while at the same time strengthen the body, mind and spirit.
Some common athletic injuries that benefit from treatment with acupuncture and Chinese medicine:
~ Acute injuries and trauma: These injuries are suffered while playing hard and often the result of underlying constitutional, energetic and physical "weak spots," or pushing the body beyond its present limits. A partial list of the injuries included in this category would be sprains, strains, rotator cuff and meniscal injuries, tendon, ligament injuries and muscle tears and trauma, as well as contusions.
~ Overtraining and overuse injuries: These injuries result over time, either from overuse or overtraining as the name implies, and usually include joint injuries, bone spurs, shoulder and knee joint problems, arthritic problems, tendonitis, and so forth.
Chinese medicine can be of use to treat the injury, but also to strengthen the body to prevent further injuries from occurring. Many athletes also choose to use acupuncture, qigong and herbs to maintain wellness and strength as a part of their training to prevent injuries.
Chinese medicine can be used in harmony with and to enhance western medicine care or sports medicine provided by a physician, or as a sole therapy.