As a former elite wrestler, avid ultra-runner, and nowadays surf skater and stand-up paddleboarder, I recognize the need to keep my body in the best possible shape for peak performance.  As a practicing Acupuncturist (and yoga teacher), I’ve come to appreciate the role that Traditional Chinese Medicine methodology plays in the pursuit of my physical ambitions.  The benefits have been incredible. 

Much like many aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine, understanding its approach to athletic performance requires embracing its foundational principles, which can be complex. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes the interconnection of organ systems and how they contribute to physical resilience. Whether it's supporting the body's recovery after physical exertion or promoting joint and connective tissue health for activities like running, it's helpful to explore how internal balance may influence overall musculoskeletal wellness.

Viewing Movement Through the Lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine

These days, I view physical movement, injuries, health, and life in general through the lens of Chinese medicine. Obviously, it wasn’t always like that, since there's a before and after in my life when Chinese medicine comes to this practice. I didn’t grow up with it. I did grow up with sports though, going into competitive wrestling at the age of 9. And the way I addressed performance and physical challenges during my elite years is nothing like how I now apply Traditional Chinese Medicine to support my body’s recovery and balance.

The overall role that Chinese medicine can have on sports is well beyond the scope of one article - the benefits are endless. Instead, I've nailed it down to a few things I believe every athlete should know. And based on my work with teaching yin yoga for athletes and elite cops, plus training yoga teachers in how to teach yin yoga for athletes, as well as treating clients with Chinese medicine, I've learned that simplicity is key. 

Our body parts and tissues depend on the health of our organs – and vice versa

There’s no shortage of information for athletes interested in incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicine to support overall physical wellness—both proactively and during periods of physical strain. Both aspects are equally important, as Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes that the health of our internal systems plays a key role in maintaining resilience and balance throughout the body.

And although western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine share similar views on the organs when it comes to the medical-physiological functions, Traditional Chinese Medicine delves deeper and looks at the energetic roles of each organ and functions, within a holistic integrated system that's incomprehensible to western biomedicine.

While understanding the pathology and diagnostic parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine takes as many years as studying western medicine, having a simple understanding of the importance of how our bones, ligaments and muscles are governed by different organs, is a game changer. 

Organizing the Organ Systems According to Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, our internal organs are divided into two major categories.  These are the five "Zang" organs:

• Heart
• Liver
• Spleen
• Lung
• Kidney

And the six "Fu" organs:

• Gallbladder
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Large intestine
• Urinary bladder
• "Triple Energizer" (a Chinese Medicine concept)

Each organ governs energy channels which distribute Qi (energy) and connects all parts of the body to one. No system works alone  - They all connect internally, as well as externally. One organ controls one body part, but is dependent on all the other organs and parts to function well, working as a holistic system.

Issues with Running?  Check-In with Your Spleen

Each organ has a form of relationship system that includes a correlation between the organ and body parts. For example, the stomach and spleen have a direct influence on the health of our muscles, since the muscles rely on the functions of the stomach and spleen to both transform food and drink to Qi and blood, and transport it to the muscles, to nourish the muscles with Qi and blood.

For example, sometimes athletes say that it feels like the muscles aren’t “responding.” This could be directly related to the status of the spleen, which for different reasons could be in a “deficiency mode” because of overthinking, overworking, eating too much sugar, or drinking cold drinks. The spleen hates cold food and drinks since it requires it to work extremely hard than it does when the food and drinks are warm. 

Spleen deficiency among athletes is very common.

One way to detect symptoms of spleen deficiency is to notice if you have teeth marks on the edges of your tongue. If so, seek an Acupuncturist for assistance, and check out this article where I discuss my favorite Chinese herbal formula for better joint health.

The Role of Your Liver for Healthy Joint and Tendons

When it comes to the health of the joints, tendons and ligaments, the organ in control is the liver. The liver stores blood, and in Chinese medicine the liver is said to control the overall Qi flow of the body. The liver and its Qi and blood can easily get prone to stagnation due to mental and emotional stress.  The consequence of this is that the liver can´t control the flow of energy throughout the body, making sure that the joints, tendons, and ligaments work smoothly.

In the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Liver Qi stagnation is thought to impact how freely energy moves through the body, which may be reflected in occasional tension or discomfort.

To Strengthen Your Bones, Strengthen Your Kidneys

The third organ of focus is the kidneys. Your kidneys have a direct link with the wellness of our bones, and in Chinese medicine, it's said that the kidneys govern the bones and are responsible for bone marrow, and bone marrow is responsible for blood production. For optimal bone health, athletes should also focus on maintaining kidney function, as it plays a role in supporting overall bodily harmony. 

The fascinating part is that Western medicine is beginning to recognize concepts from Chinese medicine, with research showing that erythropoietin, a hormone produced in the kidneys, plays a role in supporting overall vitality and energy levels. And scientists who study mood disorders and research around hypertension both focus on the receptors of neurotransmitter serotonin. In Chinese medicine, both conditions result from energetic dysfunction of the liver. 

Western medicine is Catching up with the Traditional Chinese Medicine's view of the body, and it's long history of treating injured warriors a natural way.

In essence, what you might understand from this very simplified explanation of organs in Chinese medicine is that our health and healing is depending on our mental and emotional health, as well as the status of our organs, and the movement of Qi and blood. The number one lesson when it comes to treating injuries in Chinese medicine, and to live healthy in general, is to not disrupt the movement of Qi, blood, and fluids. 

Better Running Requires Smoother Qi, Fluids and Blood

When thinking about movement, most athletes think about the act of moving the body in activities such as running, stretching, bending and more. But for every steps forward in running, an inner movement of Qi, fluids, and blood, is required. If the flow of Qi becomes obstructed, the body cannot perform its functions.

Blood is the liquid life force of the body, and its key is nourishment. Qi gives rise to blood, which nourishes the organs that produce more Qi. Fluids refers to the water-like fluids that nourishes the skin and muscles, like sweat, and the liquids that lubricate organs, the brain and spinal cord.  All these inner movements are essential for health in general, and to stay mobile and injury free as athletes.

A practitioner of Yin Yoga and acupuncture, and a pioneer of SUP Yoga, Sofie Ringsten's path has also led her through elite athlete status in the martial arts, twelve years as a street cop, a stint of ultra-marathoning, surfing, and motherhood. Her journey inspired a keen interest in resolving pain, whether physical or emotional. Sofie splits her time between Sweden and the Maldives. You can learn more about Sofie at sofieringsten.com.