Increasing use of Chinese medicine for treatment and recovery among elite athletes has led to the opening yesterday of the first Elite Athletes Chinese Medicine Speciality Clinic in Hong Kong.
A joint venture by the Baptist University and the Hong Kong Sports Institute, the clinic plans to play a major role as Hong Kong's best prepare for the Asian Games in Guangzhou in November.
'We see there is a growing trend of using Chinese medicine among elite athletes and the clinic opening is good timing because of the Asian Games,' said Xu Zhengzheng, the Chinese medicine co-ordinator at the Sports Institute.
'Chinese medicine can help combat fatigue and is good for recovery, as has been shown in many examples of our elite athletes.
'It also helps regulate body condition so athletes can reach a good physical and mental state for intensive training to improve their performance.
'Chinese medicine can offer more treatment options to supplement the current medical treatment the athletes receive and there is plenty of room for development in this area.'
