Classical Chinese Medicine Treatments

Tendon, ligament and joint trauma

In cases involving the tendons, ligaments and joints, acupuncture is used in specific locations to get deep into the area to stimulate blood flow. Stimulation of blood flow does two things; move old stagnant blood (inflammation) and removes it with new, fresh blood, creating an environment where the body can regenerate and heal. Generally, where there is stagnation there is pain. The movement of blood will also help move stagnant fluid which will decrease fluid accumulation and swelling. Depending on the injury, administering acupuncture to surrounding muscles may also be required. 

 

In addition to the acupuncture, an infrared heat lamp is used to stimulate the process by increasing the efficacy of the acupuncture. In some chronic inflammatory cases, the patient may have excess heat in their blood which often gets stored in the joints. In these circumstances, herbs can be used to clear heat, and thereby decrease inflammation.

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Muscular injuries and the fascia

The fascia plays a major role in the pathology of most musculoskeletal injuries. The fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place. To better understand how the fascia works, imagine three layers of cling wrap. Between each layer there is a fluid which allows for fluidity in the movement of your muscles. When fluid in particular areas of the fascia dries out, the layers of 'cling wrap' (fascia) stick together and this is how adhesions are formed. Adhesions are bands of painful, rigid tissue that are usually found in areas where there is chronic muscle tension or injury. They can also be found in areas where there is scar tissue. Adhesions are often described as “knots” and are tender to the touch. Once the adhesions are treated with my 3 step treatment process outlined below, pain will subside and function will return.

 

In cases where there are severe amounts of adhesions, the accumulation of this rigid tissue can pull the muscles out of place, leading to skeletal misalignment. Rather than trying to realign the vertebrae, for example, by treating the adhesions directly, the skeleton can fall back into realignment. In most muscular injuries, the following treatment is given. It's important to know that each case is assessed on a case by case basis and will therefore require an individually tailored treatment plan.