Olympian Alternative Therapies: Focus on Traditional Chinese Medicine

For 13 years I worked in first aid at our local winter resort. The Olympics were a double edged sword. On the one hand, we spent a lot of our down time talking about it, particularly since we knew various ski and snowboard athletes. However, there was less down time as the injuries escalated with kids and adults trying to be Olympians.

 

Watching the games, we learn a lot about the  fitness training and other facts about individual athletes. With the Beijing Winter Olympic games just underway, we’ll be seeing a lot of alternative “health,” “well-being,” and “injury prevention” strategies that various athletes swear by. So what works and what’s probably a placebo effect?

 

For starters, unless you train like an Olympian, please don’t "try this at home." Want to try a sport for the first time, consider taking a lesson(s). If you want to try some of the alternative treatments they use, talk to your medical provider first.

 

Some of the “take homes” from the Olympic training centers are true for everyone to function at their peak, such as regular exercise (30 minutes walking daily is good); rest and adequate sleep (6-8 hours appears to be the sweet spot); healthy diet (Mediterranean diet is considered to be among the healthiest in the world); hydration;  and Make time for fun: The adage of “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is well stated.

 

For the 2016 Olympics, I posted an article Cupping, LumiWave, Cyrochamber, Massage: Good for Olympians but Right for Me?”  What's been learned about these various strategies since 2016:

-       Cupping: Pretty much still the same-might be helpful for pain, though the research isn’t that strong.

-       Massage: Helpful for acute low back pain but not for chronic. Might be helpful for neck, shoulder, or knee (osteoarthritis) pain. Certainly is relaxing and helps with reducing stress.

-       Kinseology Tape: Continues to be popular with athletes and physical therapists

-       LumiWave: Seems to have fallen out of favor.

-       Compression Sleeves: Researchers analyzed 183 studies evaluating their efficacy and found that while they may not be as useful as some claim, there is also very little harm in using compression gear. The researchers found compression garments caused no meaningful change in the wearers’ metabolic responses, blood pressure, heart rate or other cardiorespiratory measures, nor did they improve the users’ movements or rates of perceived exertion.

-       Cyrochamber Therapy: it’s hard to know if whole body cryotherapy reliably prevents or treats any particular condition, or if it speeds recovery or improves athletic performance. And even if it did, there’s little proof that it’s more helpful than much less expensive cryotherapy options, such as simply applying ice to a sore area. Definitely not appropriate for anyone with the following: poorly controlled high blood pressure, heart or lung disease; poor circulation; allergy symptoms triggered by cold; neuropathy in the legs. Harvard Health Blog

 

As noted in the 2016 post,..the placebo effect is very much a factor. If an athlete has won a game having just drunk beet juice or used a particular hairband, they will continue to do that in the belief that it makes a difference.

 

While Olympians excel, and are the best in the world for their sport, they are susceptible to unproven alternative therapies.

 

Because the Olympics are in Beijing, expect to see more about various Traditional Chinese Medicine practices (TCM) that are in use. Note that cupping and massage are still popular. Read the 2016 post if you want to know more about them.

 

Acupuncture: Practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. Results from a number of studies suggest that acupuncture may help ease types of pain that are often chronic such as low-back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis/knee pain. It also may help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches. Acupuncture appears to be a reasonable option for people with chronic pain to consider. NCCIH 

 

Chiropractic spinal manipulation: It’s a technique where practitioners use their hands or a device to apply a controlled thrust (that is, a force of a specific magnitude or degree in a specific direction) to a joint of your spine. The amount of force can vary, but the thrust moves the joint more than it would on its own. Spinal manipulation is different from spinal mobilization, which doesn’t involve a thrust (and is performed within a joint’s natural range of motion and can be controlled by the patient). Spinal manipulation is relatively safe when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner. The most common side effects of spinal manipulation are temporary muscle soreness, stiffness, or a temporary increase in pain. Appears to be a good option for the treatment of chronic lower back pain. National Library of Medicine

 

Moxibustion. Involves burning moxa, a cone or stick made of ground mogwort leaves, on or near the body’s meridians and acupuncture points. Practitioners believe that the resulting heat helps stimulate these points and improves the flow of qi (energy) in your body. According to TCM practices, this increased qi circulation can help with a range of health issues, from chronic pain to digestive troubles. There’s moderate evidence for the effectiveness of moxibustion in pain and symptom management in knee osteoarthritis. Additional research has shown that when combining moxibustion with acupuncture, there’s an increase bone density in patients with osteoporosis. A 2020 review of studies concluded moxibustion and acupuncture can increase bone density and may reduce pain.

 

Qigong/Tai Chi: To show “local color,” chances are there will be footage of people exercising in the various Beijing parks. These are slow moving moves that are easy to do and can be modified. At least 4,000 years old, Qigong is based on TCM principles Various studies have found that Qigong can reduce depression, relieve stress, lessen chronic fatigue, improve immune function and improves well-being. Learn more at the Qigong Institute.

 

Tai Chi stems from Qigong and may have been practiced in some form dating back 2,500 years. These meditative body movements were originally designed for self-defense and to promote inner peace and calm. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Practicing Tai chi may help to improve balance and stability in older people and in those with Parkinson’s disease, reduce back pain and pain from knee osteoarthritis, and improve quality of life in people with heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. Tai chi and qi gong may ease fibromyalgia pain and promote general quality of life. Qi gong may reduce chronic neck pain, but study results are mixed. Tai chi also may improve reasoning ability in older people. NCCIH

 

While not part of traditional Chinese medicine, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is becoming increasing popular among athletes.  HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. It is a well-established treatment for decompression sickness, a potential risk of scuba diving. Other conditions treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy include serious infections, bubbles of air in your blood vessels, and wounds that may not heal as a result of diabetes or radiation injury. Professional athletes are increasingly receiving HBOT to help them recover from many types of injuries, including joint pain, torn muscles and tendons, and even concussions. Some athletes use HBOT to stay in optimal condition, maximize their performance, and prevent injuries. Olympian Michael Phelps was shown entering a HBOT chamber to help his body recover. However, HBOT is not cheap and you’ll need to find a facility, such as a hospital, that has a chamber. Mayo Clinic