Acupuncture for Acute Injuries
The treatment of acute injuries with Chinese Medicine dates back approximately 2500 years. Often referred to as "Hit Medicine," Martial Artists used powerful herbal remedies to expedite the healing process of acute injuries such as bruises, strains, sprains, and broken bones. While Western Medicine approaches injuries with ice and immobilization, Chinese Medicine works to invigorate blood circulation to enhance the healing process.
Chinese Medicine Treatment Strategies for Acute Injuries:
Invigorate the blood and break up blood stasis
Stop bleeding
Reduce swelling and promote healing
Alleviate pain and calm the mind
Acute Injury Recovery with Chinese Medicine can be approached both externally and internally.
Topical Liniments
Dit Da Jow, loosely translated as "Hit Fall Wine," medicine has been used by Martial Artists for traumatic injuries such as sprains, strains, bruises, and even broken bones. Traditional Chinese Herbs are soaked in alcohol for several months to create a potent and effective topical liniment.
Acute Trauma Liniment: Use for acute strains, sprains, and bruising within 24-48 hours after injury. The herbal decoction has properties to reduce swelling, nourish tendons, ligaments, and muscles, alleviate pain, and clear out stagnant blood. The formula is applied topically by directly spraying on the injured area or soaking a small washcloth in liniment and applying it to the injury.
Chronic Tendon Liniment: Use for chronic or old injuries, arthritis, tendonitis, or joint pain. The formula improves circulation, alleviates pain, nourishes soft tissue, and warms the area. The formula is applied topically by spraying the injured area or soaking a small washcloth in liniment.
Common Uses for Dit Da Jow Liniment:
-Muscle Soreness (Chronic Liniment)
-Joint Pain (Chronic Liniment)
-Arthritis (Chronic Liniment)
-Low Back Pain (Chronic Liniment)
-Neck and Shoulder Pain (Chronic Liniment)
-Fibromyalgia (Chronic Liniment)
-Poor Blood Circulation (Chronic Liniment)
-Bruising (Chronic Liniment)
-Shin Splints (Acute/Chronic Liniment)
-Raynaud’s Condition (Chronic Liniment)
-Acute Strains, Sprains, and Muscle Tears (Acute Liniment)
-Sports Related Injuries (Acute and Chronic Liniment)
-Swelling/Edema (Acute Liniment)
-Bone Fractures (Acute Liniment)
Herbal Prescriptions
Depending on the type of injury, your health history, and current pharmaceutical prescriptions, your Acupuncturist may also prescribe an herbal formula to improve the healing process and alleviate pain. Many herbs have analgesic properties; some even "knit" bones together!
Examples of herbs found in trauma healing formulas:
Yan Hu Suo, Corydalis Rhizome is in the herbal category of "Invigorate Blood" and is known for its analgesic and sedative properties.
Ru Xiang, Frankincense, and Mo Yao, Myrrh also "Invigorate Blood" and are a potent herb combo to promote healing, move the "Qi" (energy) to alleviate pain, and generate flesh to heal wounds.
Gu Sui Bu, Drynaira Rhizome is a powerful traumatic injury herb in the "Tonify Yang" category as it "promotes mending of sinews and bones."
San Qi, Notoginseng Root, regulates blood and stops bleeding, transforms blood stasis, reduces swelling, and alleviates pain.
Chinese Herbal Medicine differs from Western Herbology in that herbs are taken as a "formula" rather than a single herb. There are a few ways an herbalist can prescribe a formula:
Pill Form - Comes in patented capsules or tablets, mild and gentle effect. Easy to take. Great for patients who do not like the taste of herbs.
Tincture - Liquid extract, usually alcohol or vegetable glycerin based. It can be taken orally in a small amount of water. Easy to take. Effective. Great for young kids!
Granules - Powder form, mixed in hot water. It can be customized to an individual'sindividual's symptoms and root causes. Potent and effective. Easy to take.
Tea Decoction - Raw herbs brewed for a specified time to drink as a tea decoction. It can be customized to the individual's symptoms and root causes. Potent and effective.
Acupuncture Treatments
Acupuncture, Acupressure, Tuina massage, Cupping, Guasha, and Moxibustion may alleviate pain from acute injuries and expedite healing. The body has a natural response to heal whenever an area is injured. Acupuncture expedites this process by stimulating nerves and expediting the repair phase of an injury through the insertion of single use filiform needles or with acupressure, ear seeds or press tack applications.
When pain-relieving natural chemicals are released in the body (endorphin and serotonin), the obstructed pathways open, allowing healing to occur at a cellular level. Acupuncture also stimulates "microcirculation," which reduces swelling, inflammation, and pain while promoting tissue repair. When a patient receives acupuncture, the body releases pain-relieving chemicals called endogenous opiates and corticosteroids, relieving pain and expediting healing. Acupuncture improves blood circulation to the area of concern and decreases inflammation (Zhang et al., 2014).
Adjunct Therapies to Acupuncture:
Cupping is a therapy used to increase blood flow, alleviate pain and massage the soft tissue by heating the inside of a glass cup and placing on the skin. A vacuum is created that draws soft tissue into the cup.
Guasha is a technique involving gently scraping the skin with a massage tool to improve circulation, activate the immune system, reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Moxibustion (Moxa) is a therapeutic herb called mugwort (artemisia vulgaris) that is burned near the skin’s surface to warm the area, decrease pain, improve circulation and dispel stagnation in the body. Moxa heats and penetrates to the level of infrared wavelength which provides healing at a cellular level.
Tuina Massage is a type of bodywork where the practitioner applies pressure and massage techniques along specific points and areas on the body. The therapy aids in removing blockages, alleviating pain and promoting relaxation.
Acupuncture has many modalities to enhance the healing process and alleviate pain, and if you are interested in learning more, please contact Dr. Jen for a Complimentary 30-minute office consultation.
Stay Safe!
Note: The topical liniments should never be used on open wounds, rashes, or other skin disorders. Always talk with your Acupuncturist before use. Always consult a qualified and Licensed Acupuncture Physician before ingesting any herbs. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed physician or your local ER for acute trauma.
Evidenced Based Research
Topical Cooling (Icing) Delays Recovery From Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage
Reference
Zhang, R., Lao, L., Ren, K., & Berman, B. M. (2014, February). Mechanisms of acupuncture-electroacupuncture on persistent pain. Anesthesiology. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3947586/