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How Sanjiu Traditional Chinese
Medicine Treat Pain
There are three common types of pain:
(a) Pain caused by small or big joint "mismatch"
Our body is supported by the skeleton, and joints connect to our
bones forming our frame. Pain can be the result of "mismatch"
of small or large joints. This type of "mismatch" is not
a real joint dislocation, and evidence cannot be detected from examination
by Western orthopedics, on X-ray film, CT scan or MRI. It was called
"slid out tendon, mismatched bone in Chinese orthopedics. The
type of pain resulted from this is endurable and blunt. Surrounding
the affected location, muscle tone will build up gradually and the
pain intensifies with laps of time. Anodyne and acupuncture can
relieve the pain for a short period of time, but the pain always
comes back. To completely relieve this type of pain, the "mismatched"
joint has to be relocated to its original position by manipulation
of the joint in the correct direction. It was called "Zheng-Gu"
- alignment of bone - in Chinese orthopedics.
Sitting in the wrong posture from long hours of work, carrying
heavy things improperly, unexpected falling or sliding can cause
such "mismatch" of joints. The common affected joints
are in the vertebrae and sacral-iliac joint. Those "mismatched
joint" will change the dynamic of our skeleton and the tension
of our muscles. As a result, upper and or lower back pain may occur.
For instance, sacral-iliac joint "mismatch" or "semi-dislocation"
will cause lower back pain along different length of the leg and
upper back pain in the region around vertebrae T6-T8.
We experienced many different types of pain, stress, worries, heavy
workload both at our job and home, lack of exercise, etc. We do
not forget to provide service to our car regularly, but we are too
busy to take care of our body. There should be a change in attitude
towards our health. We should provide maintenance of our body from
time to time, and whenever necessary.
(b) Pain in the lumbar (lower back) area
may vary in intensity, sharpness and cause. Lower back pain is commonly
caused by mechanical or structural problems including fractures,
muscle strain, and pressure on nerves. The general etiological factors
are:
1. Patient attacked by pathological (disease producing) cold and
dampness.
2. Deficiency of the kidney qi.
3. Trauma due to a muscle sprain or convulsion.
3. TCM effectiveness and evaluation
(c) Pain in the shoulder could have a variety
of causes ranging from injury to the shoulder, excess strain, improper
posture while working or sleeping, exposure to cold etc.
(1) pain in shoulder and the shoulder joint making it hard to move
in all directions.
(2) pain also affecting the neck and back
Common Symptoms and Treatments in Chinese Medicine
1. Illness as a result of cold and dampness: Lower back pain occurs
after exposure to cold, damp, and rainy days. Patient may experience
heavy sensation in the lumbar region as well as stiffness of the
muscles. There may be the decrease in ability to extend and flex
the back. Pain can extend to the lower limbs. Sometimes there is
the presence of a cold feeling in the affected area. The tongue
coating is white and sticky, while the pulse is deep and weak, or
deep and slow.
2. Kidney weakness: Usually experiencing pain and sore occur at
the lower back, in addition the loins and knees feel tired and weak.
If there is a deficiency of kidney-yang, then there is a cramp-like
feeling in the lower abdomen, and the limbs are cold. The tongue
turns pale, and the pulse is deep and slow. Also, the mouth and
throat feel dry, the face is flushed, and there is a feverish feeling
in the chest, palms and soles. The tongue is reddened with scarce
coating, and the pulse is weak or rapid.
3. Trauma: Trauma can cause rigidity (stiffness) and pain in the
area that was injured. The tongue is pink or dark purple when affected
by trauma. The pulse is tense and uncertain. There is poor circulation
of qi and blood when the meridians are blocked from cold and dampness.
This causes the lower back pain. The kidney weakness also causes
pain. When the kidney does not have enough essence, this means that
the bones are lacking marrow. It causes painful soreness and weakness
in the lumbar region and the knee. Injury to the lumbar region causes
retardation of qi and blood, and that inflicts further pain.
Herbal medicine can help normalize the circulation of qi and blood,
easing the pain in the lower back.
Therapeutic principle: Points are selected from Du and the Foot-Taiyang
Meridians to help regulate the circulation of qi and blood.
Therapeutic principle: By using acupuncture to promote the circulation
of the qi and blood, relieve pain, relax tendons, reduce effects
of wind and cold.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion are both applied to cold-damp type.
If there is deficiency of the kidney yang, moxibustion used and
the reinforcement method is applied by using needles. If there is
deficiency of the kidney yin, only the reinforcing method is used.
For traumatic low back pain, the reducing method is applied by pricking
to cause bleeding.
Generally, Qigong can relieve pain because it improves the circulation
of qi and blood. Results won't be visible right away, but it takes
less time for Qigong to heal pain than other ailments
(c) Life style
1) Avoid living in a damp environment, such as the basement.
2) The Low Back should always remain warm.
3) Take more rest.
4) Take care not to fall and get hurt.
5) Don't carry heavy objects.
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