Orthopedic problems can characterize the young population. Most orthopedic problems that characterize teenagers and people of military age are related to sports injuries and training. However, a short period after military service, problems begin to emerge from lack of physical activity and excessive sitting. These problems can become chronic over time and worsen with age.
Tuina, as part of Chinese medicine, can provide solutions for the two common causes of orthopedic problems in young people: sports injuries and training, and lack of physical activity. It should be noted that modern leisure culture and growing awareness of the importance of physical activity motivates many people to engage in sports for health and pleasure. There is no dispute about the importance of physical activity. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight and body toning, it improves cardiovascular function, improves blood lipid profile and metabolism in the body, and keeps us healthy and functional over time. Additionally, many studies show that physical activity prevents depression and improves life satisfaction and optimism. Physical activity prevents chronic pain in the back and neck, and if maintained over time, it may prevent orthopedic damage characteristic of advanced age.
In light of this, we see that it is important to encourage physical activity. However, engaging in sports can lead to injuries resulting from lack of caution or lack of awareness. The Chinese concept recommends balance: not to overdo physical activity (a phenomenon that characterizes competitive sports and not sports for pleasure and health) but also not to avoid physical activity. Avoidance leads to weakness of Qi, the vital energy for all physiological activity in the body. Excess can lead to wear and damage to various tissues.
Orthopedic problems in young people lead not only to physical limitation that sometimes affects their ability to function and even function at work or studies, but also to mental damage. A young person who feels limited in their body feels frustrated and even embarrassed by the lack of ability to function as expected from other people matching their age. Such limitations can also lead to depression and avoidance of moderate sports, which in itself will worsen the phenomenon. In case of orthopedic injury, avoidance of movement may perpetuate the problem: inflammatory substances settle in the injured area and worsen the pain, which in turn further limits the range of motion of the area, and from here a negative vicious cycle is created that perpetuates the problem.
A good example of this is frozen shoulder. The pain limits movement and the limitation of movement worsens the inflammatory condition and therefore causes more severe pain later. It is understood that such phenomena can be characterized in other body areas.
The Chinese approach emphasizes the prevention of orthopedic problems, but also provides tools for a therapist who has studied Tuina as part of Chinese medicine studies to deal with existing injuries, both acute and chronic. Although the right way is prevention, usually, referral to Chinese medicine occurs when damage has already been done and the patient must be returned to routine activity as quickly as possible. Proper treatment can prevent worsening of damage and in some cases also prevent or delay surgery. It can also complement conventional treatment and thus contribute to reducing dependence on painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Tuina is a touch therapy method based on the principles of ancient Chinese medicine. This is a type of "physiotherapy" but unlike the tools common in Western medicine, the treatment here does not focus only on the painful area but on all systems. The starting point of Chinese medicine is that even when there is local trauma or pain, the body's forces must overcome it. If this is not done within a reasonable time, the entire body must be treated and not just the injured area.
Tuina Studies include an important emphasis on diagnosis. The Chinese concept starts from the assumption that energetic blockage (called stagnation) or lack of certain components to the body increases the risk of damage and when this occurs, slows the rate of recovery and rehabilitation from it. People suffering from physical blockages such as constipation or focused pain and mental blockages such as inhibitions and traces are considered more vulnerable to such conditions. However, the above should be qualified because any moderate physical activity moves the body's energy (Qi) and reduces energetic blockages. Proper diagnosis can not only enable treatment of the problem but also its prevention in many cases. This prevention is made possible thanks to guidelines for proper lifestyle, nutrition, and preventive touch treatments.
Qi is the body's energy. According to Chinese medicine, this is the energy behind all physical or mental activity. Moving muscles through pressure and massage leads to improved blood flow and energy in the body. Such actions allow removal of inflammatory substances that have settled in pain areas and flow essential materials to the place for rehabilitation of the injury. In addition, moving the pain area increases range of motion and reduces limitations, which helps both recovery and patient satisfaction.
High-level Tuina studies provide the therapist with additional touch tools, such as Shiatsu, as well as important tools for guiding the patient. Thus the patient can receive guidance for exercises that will improve the rate of recovery and supportive nutrition that may help rehabilitate and renew tissues. Touch treatment also allows strengthening of muscle that has weakened due to lack of use. In such cases, a Tuina therapist who has undergone comprehensive training will be able to adjust the treatment pressure in a way that will benefit strengthening the weak tissue instead of dispersing inflammatory substances from it.
Senior Tuina therapists usually collaborate with other therapists from the world of Chinese medicine such as those engaged in acupuncture and medicinal herbs, but usually, the touch therapy method can suffice for many and varied orthopedic problems.
We see that Tuina can support young people suffering from orthopedic problems, both among those injured due to their engagement in sports and among those injured due to complete lack of engagement in physical activity. The treatment can minimize damage and return the patient to activity in less time than expected.