Rehab industry surges to overcome growing pains

Building strength

Nowadays, it's not uncommon for young people like Li to seek sports rehabilitation due to physical injuries.

The National Fitness Plan (2021-25) estimates that by 2025, the proportion of people regularly participating in physical exercise will reach 38.5 percent in total.

Currently, the incidence of sports-related injuries ranges from 10 to 20 percent, with more than 100 million people expected to require rehabilitation treatment for such injuries and illnesses.

Sedentary office workers must also pay attention to their bodies, as chronic neck, shoulder, back, and leg pain, as well as soft tissue discomfort, can result from poor posture and body mechanics.

"Sports-related injuries are the most common type of injury among young people. For example, twisting a knee during a quick stop, spraining an ankle while jumping, or pulling a muscle while running or exercising are all frequent occurrences," said Chen Bowen, a former therapist in the rehabilitation department of a hospital under the General Administration of Sport of China.

In addition, office workers spend hours sitting each day, making them highly susceptible to spinal and soft tissue injuries, which can lead to chronic pain, added Chen, the founder and CEO of Reborn Physiotherapy Center — a clinic specializing in sports rehabilitation.

"These health issues may not necessarily require medication, but rather appropriate and targeted exercise rehabilitation guidance," he said.

According to a 2020 report on pain-control medicine in China, there are over 300 million chronic pain sufferers in the country, and this number is growing at a rate of 10 to 20 million per year.

The incidence of pain has become the third-largest health problem after cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and tumors, severely affecting people's health and quality of life, according to the report.

Yang Yanyan, deputy chief physician of the rehabilitation department at Peking University Third Hospital, said that managing acute and chronic injuries or pain, typically involves three main steps: "eliminating symptoms, correcting improper posture, and engaging in science-based exercise rehabilitation".

"Humans are naturally active beings. The outdated belief that one should lie still after an injury often fails to resolve the pain-related issues. Restoring muscle strength, joint flexibility, and other factors can more effectively alleviate pain and improve overall physical condition," she said.