Traditional Chinese Medicine is becoming increasingly well-known as an effective system of health care. Among the general public, one of the most well-known benefits of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is pain relief, especially in cases of musculo-skeletal problems. Low back pain, tennis or golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, neck/shoulder pain, muscle strains and sprains, even broken bones can be helped by acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
Because Chinese Medicine is critically concerned with the concept of balance, the treatment of muscular and skeletal problems is approached holistically. Besides focusing on the site of injury, treatment stems from an understanding of the person’s overall health (physical and emotional) and lifestyle. The various modalities of Chinese Medicine can then be applied to not only alleviate pain but address lifestyle, activities, past physical injuries, and emotions, all of which have an effect on the body. Treatment may include the use of acupuncture, herbal medicine (topical or internal), nutrition, cupping (applying suction to the body to increase circulation and eliminate toxins), tui na (Chinese medical massage), or moxibustion (warming acupuncture points or areas of the body with herbs).
Acupuncture focusing on the site of injury helps to eliminate pain and speed the healing process, ultimately decreasing inflammation. The strategic use of acupuncture points can treat various types of pain with relatively simple and efficient treatments. Surprisingly, sometimes the needles may not even be placed in the area of pain. This is called a distal treatment, meaning the needles are designed to treat the injured area but are not actually placed in the injured area. Overall acupuncture mobilizes the body’s own healing resources to increase circulation and help the body recover.
Herbal medicine can be used internally or externally and is an ancient medical art. The martial arts traditions in China produced a wealth of knowledge about traumatic injury and its treatment. Herbal plasters, liniments, and poultices are often utilized to alleviate discomfort and increase circulation to the area. Various internal herbal formulas are also available, addressing acute or chronic injury and providing the body with nourishment and nutrition vital to recovery. Herbal formulas are chosen and adjusted for each individual, taking into account the stage of injury or dysfunction, the type of tissue affected, and specific underlying health issues.
Adjunctive modalities such as cupping, tui na, and moxibustion are all useful tools in the treatment of pain. Cupping is the placement of (usually) glass cups on the body to create suction. This increases circulation to the area and is used in cases of muscle tension, injury, or cold and flu. Tui na is medical massage with specialized techniques for certain types of injury and imbalance. Moxibustion is the practice of warming points of areas of the body with herbs (most commonly mugwort) to increase circulation, alleviate pain, or stimulate acupuncture points. Moxibustion can be used in acute injury, chronic arthritic pain, or a wide variety of health problems such as digestive disorders, urinary dysfunction, and fatigue.
Chinese medical practitioners have been treating both chronic and acute pain for thousands of years. The multiple tools of Chinese medicine treat musculo-skeletal disorders by addressing both internal and external causes, and can be used in addition to other types of physical therapy. Using a comprehensive view of each individual, Chinese medicine treats musculo-skeletal disorders and supports overall health and well-being.
The tools of Norah’s practice all respect the body’s amazing natural ability to heal if given the correct support and stimulus. Norah treats a wide range of health concerns including fertility issues, gynecological complaints, digestive and respiratory dysfunction, various types of pain, eating disorders, and anxiety.