Pain Relief
Pain Relief and Chinese Medicine
All of us have experienced pain in our lives; it can be the result of a burn on the stove, or a twist of the ankle when running, or during child birth. However, when pain issues are not treated correctly and becomes something more than a normal red flag that notifies us that we are in danger of some greater trauma, it may become chronic in nature. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has many ways of delineating and alleviating pain syndromes; thus, Chinese medicine can provide more specific solutions for pain syndromes than simple pain relievers that block pain signals. In Chinese medicine, it is generally accepted that pain in the body cannot occur without the presence of Qi Stagnation and/or Blood Stagnation. For best outcomes using self-care, combine associated Aroma Acu-Sticks® to acu-points, organic herbs, topical remedies, and good lifestyle practices.
Related Article: Read Chinese Herbs for Trauma and Sports Injuries!
Acupressure for Pain Relief
The Four Gates are a famous acupressure combination used to stimulate the free flow of Blood And Qi employed for any pain condition along with points along the affected acupressure channel. Learn where the acupuncture channels are located and how to apply acupressure linked here!
- Apply the Metal Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Large Intestine 4
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Pain Due to Qi Stagnation
Qi is the vital energy that animates us and makes us vital beings. Qi circulates through the acupuncture channels, or meridians; acupuncturists are manipulating Qi flow with needles located along these channels a breaking up stagnation or stimulating the free flow of Qi to alleviate pain. Burning pain and achy pain associated with nerve pain, is often attributed to Qi Stagnation.
Acupressure Point Combination Strategy:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Stomach 36
- Apply the Metal Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Large Intestine 4
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Pain Due to Blood Stagnation
If Qi Stagnation persists, Blood Stagnation can develop. This type of pain tends to be sharp and fixed. Blood 
Stagnation can also be caused by trauma such as a fall, a sports injury, or an automobile accident. As it turns out, Blood goes where Qi goes, so the two are typically seen together. Traumatic pain due to injury would result in Qi and Blood tsagnation, and would only be considered abnormal in Chinese medical theory if the injury is mismanaged and not addressed directly after the injury.
Acupressure Point Combination Strategy:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Spleen 10
- Apply the Metal Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Large Intestine 4
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Pain Due to Internal Dampness
Internal Dampness can develop when the body does not manage fluids well, likely due to Spleen Qi Deficiency. This type of pain tends to be deep and dull pain in the muscles or joints, and is aggravated with wet weather or damp conditions. This type of pain would likely be deep, achy, muscular pain with a heavy feeling in the body. Viscous, sticky Internal Damp Phlegm blocks the free flow of Qi. Consider our organic Restore the Middle Way formula!
Acupressure Point Combination Strategy:
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Spleen 9
- Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Stomach 40
- Apply the Metal Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Large Intestine 4
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Pain Due to Kidney Deficiency
Kidney Deficiency is associated with lower back pain and knee pain most specifically. If Kidney Deficiency is present, the lower back and knees are more susceptible to injury, but this type of pain can develop without any type of trauma at all and can be deep and achy. Consider our organic Ancestor Treasure Yang formula used with our organic Yin Valley formula!
Acupressure Point Combination Strategy:
- Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Kidney 3
- Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Bladder 62
- Apply the Metal Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Large Intestine 4
- Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions.. Chinese medicine and acupressure are natural self-care approaches that continue to grow in popularity in the United States. Chinese remedies have possible solutions for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. The theory behind acupuncture and Chinese medicine states that there is an energy that flows through the human body called Qi, or Chi. This energy can become obstructed for a variety of different reasons. When this occurs, the obstruction results in pain or discomfort.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Dr. Browne's Shared Insights and Experiences After many years of clinical experience, I learned how to pre-screen chronic pain patients; if they came in to my office wanting to "try out" Chinese medicine I would probably refer them to another provider. The term "I wanted to give this a try" was a red flag that the patient was hoping for a quick-fix after years, and sometimes decades, of suffering with pain syndromes. In reality, using natural therapies to cure chronic pain conditions takes a serious commitment and a great amount of effort from the patient. I get it; in their minds if this modality was going to work for them they would notice some improvement right away. Some patients thought that acupuncture was going to numb the pain or block nerve impulses instantaneously. Additionally, these patients were often the ones who would not comply with herbal, self-acupressure, and topical therapies. Basically, they just wanted for me to miraculously "fix" them with a couple of acupuncture treatments. Exhaustive scientific studies show that Chinese medicine does work for pain reduction; this is why it is being introduced into hospitals nation-wide and why Medicare and the Veterans Administration (VA) cover the cost of treatments. However, it is a therapy that helps your own body heal, and true healing takes time. And if one expects these gentle natural therapies to alleviate their chronic pain they must use all of the tools of natural medicine simultaneously on a regular basis. This means that you must apply acupressure several times per day; you must take the appropriate herbs for 6-12 months without fail; you must apply topical herbal pain remedies several times per day; a healthy anti-inflammatory diet is vital; and daily meditations and QiGong exercises are necessary for the best outcomes. |
