“The Important Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Rehabilitation of Athletes”
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plays a unique and significant role in the field of athlete rehabilitation.
Firstly, the TCM massage therapy has obvious effects in the rehabilitation of athletes. Through massage, it can relax muscles and improve local blood circulation, helping athletes relieve muscle tension and fatigue after training or competition. This view has been confirmed in many TCM research studies. [1]
Secondly, acupuncture therapy has positive significance in treating various injuries of athletes. It can unclog meridians, reconcile qi and blood, and promote the repair of damaged tissues. Relevant research has shown that acupuncture can play a key role in the rehabilitation of both acute and chronic injuries of athletes. [2]
Furthermore, traditional Chinese medicine also holds an important position in the rehabilitation of athletes. According to the specific situation of athletes, reasonable application of traditional Chinese medicine for conditioning can enhance their physical functions and improve immunity, which is helpful for athletes to recover from fatigue and injuries more quickly. For example, some traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions with the functions of replenishing qi and nourishing blood, and strengthening kidneys and bones. [3]
In addition, the emotional therapy of TCM can help athletes regulate their psychological state. Athletes face huge competitive pressure and are prone to emotions such as anxiety and tension, while the emotional therapy can help them relieve emotions and maintain a good mental state, so as to better deal with training and competition.
At the same time, cupping therapy is an external suction therapy that utilizes the principle of negative pressure to exert a traction effect on the body surface and has been widely used among elite athletes and teams in many countries. Research has found that cupping can reduce muscle pain in athletes, increase joint range of motion, improve soft tissue compliance, and accelerate muscle recovery from sports fatigue. [4]
Moreover, moxibustion is also one of the widely used traditional TCM therapies. Currently, smokeless moxibustion and various new moxibustion therapy devices are widely used in clinical and sports teams, with relatively high safety. When burning the moxa stick, it can generate stable and uniform photothermal physical stimulation, which is often used to eliminate inflammation, reduce fatigue, and improve sports performance. [5]
In conclusion, TCM has many positive aspects in the rehabilitation of athletes. However, in practical application, it should be combined with modern medical methods according to the specific situation of the athletes to achieve the best rehabilitation effect.
