The healing powers of ancient Chinese medicine have long worked their magic in Martial Arts.
 Chinese sports medicine's roots lie in arts such as Kung Fu and T'ai Chi and it has been used to treat sporting injuries for many years, explains Keith Thomas, acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. Chinese sports medicine lies in the same area as the more commonly used sports physio although it is relatively undiscovered by the public. "You don't see much of sports medicine in this country," says Keith, who runs the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Centre in Middlesbrough. The practice uses every part of Chinese medicine including herbs, oils, liniments, massage and acupuncture. It is available to anyone who has been to their GP or hospital for initial diagnosis. "People are gradually becoming more interested in it and coming into my clinic with acute injuries," says Keith. "If someone sprains their ankle they see their GP which we still recommend. But after that we can treat it. A sprain would usually be treated by strapping, an ice pack and anti-inflammatory pills. "The Chinese believe in taking the energetic value of the herbs and using them to heal and ease discomfort. The treatments can be tailored to ease any discomfort someone may be experiencing. "We can use herbal pulses, acupuncture, massage if it's not too painful, slow releasing herbal plasters, liniments and oils. It depends where people are with their injury for how we would treat it." Keith was quick to point out the treatments can only be carried out once patients have visited their doctor or A&E to be diagnosed. Keith is a fifth degree black belt member of Stockton and Guisborough T'ai Chi Club and Stockton and Guisborough Lau Gar Kung Fu Club and it was through the classes that he met Robin Sunley. The 31-year-old was sceptical of Chinese sports medicine. Now he lives by it after his life was transformed. His sporting injuries included a dislocated knee, shoulder and broken ribs caused through BMX riding and skate boarding. "Physios told me there wasn't much that could be done. "They were reoccurring injuries which would swell up easily and were quite painful." Keith suggested Chinese sports medicine and Robin took the plunge. "I was as sceptical as the next person but I was surprised how well it worked." First off Keith applied the herbal plaster to Robin's knee which he kept on for two days. "My faith had been in traditional methods like pain killers. "But this took away the pain and swelling straight away." This was followed up by massage and manipulation of the injured area and a herbal soak. "My knee clicked and that was it. It worked really well. "It's miraculous how it worked instantly." Robin was told he would need an operation on his shoulder, but again the natural remedies paired with special exercises prevailed. "I was resigned to living with my injuries for the rest of my days. It was that miraculous it changed my life." Some of the types of treatment: Herbal Pulse - Herbs are mixed together and crushed into a fine flour like powder then mixed with Vaseline and applied to the injured area which is then bandaged up. Liniments - Around 20 herbs are soaked in alcohol for around one year so the alcohol absorbs and abstracts the active ingredients of the herbs. Herbal plaster - impregnated with herbs. Can be used for arthritis pain. | 
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