Enzymes: Sports Injury and Pain

Sports injury and pain accounts for many doctors’ office visits of professional or amateur athletes. Common therapies include anti-inflammatory, anti-steroidal drugs and pain killers. Surgery is often used for injuries specifically for the knee, ankle and shoulder.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’S) are the most commonly prescribed medications for inflammation and pain. They delay the healing process and only temporarily relieve pain. In fact, inflammation lasts longer and immune function is often suppressed. Common side effects from NSAID’s include:

Corticosteroids also have serious side affects including cataracts, glaucoma and high blood pressure, thinning of bones, fractures, stomach irritation and bleeding, weight gain, frequent infections and worsening of diabetes mellitus.

With so many side effects to contend with from pharmaceutical drugs and only temporary relief of pain, certainly there must be more efficient ways to reduce inflammation, stop pain and ensure total healing. Fortunately, utilizing specific nutrients and acupuncture can stop pain, speed the inflammatory process healing naturally and safely. These are the methods used by elite and Olympic European athletes around the world. 

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is not a disease to be cured but a localized protective response caused by injury or damaged tissue. It serves to destroy, dilute or seal off injurious agents and damaged tissue in order for the healing process to begin. The Four Cardinal Signs of Inflammation are:

Heat - Pain - Redness - Swelling

Usually there is the loss of function. Other factors include; dilation of blood vessels, increased blood flow and permeability of cells with release of white blood cells (leukocytes) into the damaged area. Generally there are three phases in the inflammatory process:

1) Reaction Phase – Fibrin (a specialized protein) seals off the area, triggering an immune response 2) Repair Phase  – Waste material is cleared and cellular repair begins                                3) Rebuilding Phase -    Repair of damaged tissue continues while new tissue regeneration starts

In every phase of the healing process there must be sufficient enzymes. If not, healing is incomplete and takes much longer.

What are Enzymes? 

Without enzymes there would be no life at all. Enzymes are composed of protein and minerals. They are biologically “alive” elements- the spark of life. They put things together or split them apart. All biochemical processes within living organisms require enzymes. They are most commonly associated with digestion but are so much more that that. Enzymes move muscles, stimulate nerves, regulate heartbeat and breathing. They help you see, hear and even think.

 Enzymes are the alpha nutrients involved in the healing process. Healing cannot occur without them. Factors affecting enzyme depletion include alcohol, caffeine beverages, colds, fevers, cooked/processed food, pregnancy, strenuous exercise and extreme weather conditions.

The most critical factor in enzyme loss is excessive consumption of cooked food. Digestion occurs only in the presence of enzymes. Raw food has enzymes built into itself for the breaking down of nutrients. But when food is cooked all enzymes are destroyed. This forces the body to supply enzymes for digestion leaving a very short supply. This sizable reduction of enzymes slows the healing process.

How do Enzymes Resolve Inflammation and Pain?

1) Reaction Phase - Fibrin, a protein, seals off the damaged area, preventing valuable nutrients from entering and removal of waste. Enzymes break down fibrin, increasing blood flow of nutrients and removal of dead cells. Protein digesting enzymes destroy pathogenic microorganisms preventing infection and clear edema.

2) Repair Phase - Enzymes repair damaged tissue by degrading and removing waste products. If waste is not eliminated it encourages growth of pathogens. Leukocytes are required back into the area to further digest them. Enzymes reduce scarring and sclerosis.

3) Rebuilding Phase - Regeneration of healthy new tissue from food nutrients only occurs if food is properly digested. Digestion can only take place with enzymes present. To build new tissue and repair damaged tissue, protein is the definitive factor.

What can I expect as an Athlete?

Many of the original studies on enzymes were carried out on athletes. Boxers, soccer players and karate fighters were evaluated for recovery time and elimination of pain from sports injury.

In all studies, players taking enzymes reported pain quickly resolved with little to no bruising in half the time it normally took. Research shows taking enzymes long-term prior to and during training limits the extant of injury accelerating healing.

How do I know which type of enzymes I need?

While digestive enzymes are available to the average person, anyone training or exercising on a regular basis should consult with a health care practitioner specializing in enzyme nutrition. Each person is unique. Endurance athletes’ nutritional requirements are unlike those for flexibility or strength training. 

As protein is essential, it is especially needed for strength training and endurance. Long-distance runners on the other hand, require slightly more carbohydrates. Being able to digest these determines how efficiently an athlete performs and prevents injury.

What about Acupuncture? 

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles into specific points located on the surface of the skin. In Chinese medicine, pain is thought to be blockage of energy. When free movement of energy is impaired, great pressure builds up causing pain.

 Acupuncture activates specific areas of the brain involving pain, suggesting acupuncture relieves pain by unbalancing the equilibrium of pain-related central networks. Acupuncture increases endorphins, which are neuro-peptides with analgesic affects. Acupuncture increases L-Dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine; neurotransmitters involved in positive mood enhancement.

Acupuncture is highly effective for:

How do Acupuncture and Enzyme Therapy work together?

By improving digestion food is utilized more efficiently for tissue repair, cellular growth and immune function. Enzymes speed the healing process, stop inflammation and pain. Restoring the flow of energy with acupuncture minimizes pain while enhancing one’s mood, relieves stress and balances the energy of the body. 

This article/web page is Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction of this article/page in it entirety or in part is permitted without written permission by Mark Rojek.

The information on this web page is for educational and information purposes only. The ideas and opinions expressed herein are published under the Freedom of Speech, guaranteed by the 1^st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America . The author does not assume responsibility for decisions made by the reader regarding their health. The author does not diagnose or treat illness. If the reader decides to pursue natural or alternative treatments, they should consult with their health care practitioner.