Aikido      Judo      Jujitsu     

Home

Class Schedule

Events

Instructors

Photos

Newsletter

Martial Arts Links

Map to Dojo

Contact Us

Voice of the Fox
The Newsletter of the Martial Arts Training Service

Hit Medicine
by Professor Pat Browne
(Reprinted with permission from the Fall 1992 issue of Kiai Echo)
Spring 1996

Most of us who practice martial arts, as well as many other physically active people, suffer occasional aches and pains. One of the ways we seek relief is through the use of liniments and other topically applied "potions." The majority of people, however, have no rational basis for deciding among the various remedies available. The purpose of this article is to make an informed consumer out of the wounded jujitsuka.

When treating injuries of any kind, some general principles should be kept in mind. Currently, the acronym RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) is popularly used to teach the basics of care for musculoskeletal injuries. These principles are valid and work well, but most of us either "want more" or choose to ignore them so that we can continue working out.

Liniments

The use of various training liniments is a time-honored tradition in most martial arts. The generic Chinese name for these medicines is dit da jaw or tieh ta tien. These phrases mean "hit (or) fall down liquor." Liquor, because many of them are traditionally made in an alcohol base, and hit or fall down, because they are used to treat traumatic injuries. They may be roughly divided into "hot" and "cold" liniments, based not on how they feel, but rather on their "energetic" properties, in keeping with the theories of traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

In general, these liniments are formulated by selecting herbs to perform certain functions. There are herbs to stop bleeding, herbs to resolve blood stasis, herbs to open the acupuncture meridians, herbs to affect the exterior of the body, herbs to strengthen the blood, and so on.

Based on what the formula is intended for and the herbalist's experience, a prescription is written. A typical dit da jaw will contain anywhere from 10 to 40 different herbs. These herbs may be steeped in wine or distilled spirits for various amounts of time (one month is usually the minimum; some require a year!) or boiled with water, vinegar or the urine of prepubescent boys.

There are formulas that may be used internally, but this should only be done on the advice of a qualified herbalist. The majority of these formulas are for external use.

Cold vs. Hot

The "cold" variety of dit da jaw is useful for the treatment of acute injuries. Ideally, it is applied before a hard workout (or a fight) to minimize any injuries that may occur. Once an injury does occur, the affected area is gently rubbed with the liniment to stop pain, lessen swelling and alleviate bruising. "Cold" liniments may be used several times a day.

The "hot" variety of dit da jaw should not be used on acute injuries. It is appropriate for some chronic injuries and for certain training regimens, but not for general use.

Zeng gu shui ("bone correcting water" or "water for the bones") is a special liniment that is used in China mainly for injuries to bones. It is "hot" in nature and may cause skin irritation, but is very effective in treating fractures, sprains and dislocations. It is not appropriate for strains or sore muscles.

Processing

For sore muscles, liniments or salves made from "essentials" are generally used. An essential is a product (usually but not always an oil) made by steam distilling the leaves, flowers or twigs of various plants. In steam distillation, the plant parts are placed in a container with water and heated until boiling occurs. Live steam is then forced through the mixture and the vapors collected through a cooling coil. The volatile oils (or solids, in the case of camphor or menthol) are then separated by skimming and filtering the cooled distillate. This is a relatively expensive process, and today many essential oils are made synthetically in the laboratory. The most commonly used essential in both Oriental and Western medical topical remedies is oil of wintergreen, or its synthetic equivalent, methyl salicylate. This is what gives many of these products their characteristic smell. It is, in fact, virtually the only active ingredient in the majority of Western topical preparations. With frequent use, some people become "immune" to methyl salicylate, while others develop skin rashes from it. It is important to read the label when selecting these remedies. Quite often, Product A will be identical to Product B but cost twice as much.

Menthol and Camphor

Menthol and camphor, two solid essentials, are the next most commonly used ingredients in topical preparations for sore muscles. Menthol causes a cool sensation, while camphor gives a feeling of warmth. They are frequently, but not always, combined in both Oriental and Western products. The concentrations are generally higher in Chinese products than in American medicines. They are sometimes combined with other essentials to enhance and modify the effects of the ingredients.

Oils

Various other oils or their synthetic analogs are more common in Oriental preparations than in those manufactured in the United States. They include: oil of cajiput, oil of eucalyptus, oil of clove, oil of cinnamon, oil of cedar, oil of turpentine, oil of camphor, thymol, oil of peppermint, and oil of lavender, among others. Various people may respond more favorably to one combination rather than another. Trial and error is the best method to find the product that works best for you.

All of these sore muscle rubs should be used only after the acute phase of the injury is over. They should not be used on cuts or abrasions, should not be applied immediately after a bath or shower, and should not be covered.

Peppers and Plasters

Zostrix is a western product that uses a synthetic version of oil of red pepper (capsaicin) in an ointment that many people find effective in relieving musculoskeletal pain. It is available over the counter at pharmacies in two strengths. It may be useful for those who either don't respond to or who have developed sensitivity to other topical products.

Medicinal plasters are another group of topical products that are popular for various injuries. These are available both from herb stores and pharmacies. Several brands of Japanese plasters are now being marketed and advertised in the media.

Again, depending on the ingredients, these plasters have various uses. Usually they are applied and left in place for two to 24 hours, as long as blistering does not occur. One popular Chinese plaster is a "dog skin plaster," literally made with a patch of leather tanned from dog skin. More contemporary plasters have cloth or synthetic backings. They are "warm" to "hot" in nature and often are applied at bedtime, to treat the injury while you sleep.

In conclusion, there are a large number of externally applied products that can help to heal injuries sustained in practice. They must be appropriately used, however, if they are to be of value. The inappropriate use of these medicines may make an injury worse. If you are uncertain of what type of product to use, consult your health care provider. Failing any definitive advice, follow Hippocrate's adage: "First, do no harm."

Home | Schedule | Events | Instructors | Photos | Newsletter | Links | Map