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Many Martial Artist who have had access to teachers from Asian countries, have been introduced in one way or another, to Asian Medicine. It is usually common for a person who trains in Martial Arts to have injuries over time. Of course depending how hard the person trains, or how much contact is involved, will determine if one will most likely have injuries. I have seen the most injuries occur in classes of Arnis, Eskrima, Mixed Martial Arts, Grappling and Boxing. These Arts, or sports if you prefer, are very contact orientated,there are very little forms practice, and more practice in drill format, or in sparring. For all students I have taught in these arts, I try to educate them on the use of Chinese Medicinals to treat these injuries that occur. I will give suggestions below as to medicines someone should have in their Chinese Medicine Cabinet at home!
An all purpose Dit Da Jow is always good to have! Many people boast as to having the best, or strongest Jow, etc. I have used and made some very good ones,and have seen some very bad ones. The secret is knowing the purpose of a Jow, what is the main condition being treated. To just have a general Jow for Qi and Blood Stagnation and to reduce swelling is fine. This is a great start for a Chinese Medicine Cabinet. If you have a very bad injury you should see a practicioner of TCM to make a specific Jow for you, as some herbs are known to enter certain channels, or certain parts of the body. So an ankle injury may need a Jow that includes herbs that go to the lower body(in TCM),and the same can be said for herbs that are specific to other parts of the body.
Next is to have an alternative to drugs for pain. I always suggest Yan Hu Suo Zhi Tang which is available as well as all other things mentioned, on my site at www.gracuherbs.com. This formula includes the herb Yan Hu Suo which is said to be the strongest pain killer in Chinese Medicine.
Next I suggest keeping a can of Herbal Pain Plasters on hand, these are very very useful. I often use them for lower backache, shoulder pain,and for relatives who are injured from work, etc. I feel this product is a must to have in your cabinet.
Last but not least is the herbal powder called San Huang San, which is a substitute for ice. In Chinese Medicine ice is only used in severe cases,as ice causes Qi and Blood to stagnate and leads to longer healing time, as well as more stiffness and pain later on. Ice is very good to reduce swelling, but so is San Huang San, and without the side effect of causing stiffness and stagnation. We use this powder to treat acute injury while there is swelling and pain. I was introduced to this powder in the early 90's by a man named Frankie who I met while shopping for herbs on Elizabeth St in NY City Chinatown. The formula has been a lifesaver for me and I suggest keeping some in your Chinese Medicne Cabinet at home.
These are the basics of what you should have, of course it gets very very deep when we dive into all the different injuries one can have. These basic formulas will help people with the most common injuries caused in Martial Arts. You can learn more on my site www.gracuherbs.com look under Articles, Martial Arts Injuries, and Dit Da Jow.
Yours in Health,
Shifu Dan Regan L.Ac.
 | Traumatology |
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