Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Back Pain
Pain is viewed very differently in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. The basis of TCM is the meridian system. Qi, your body’s vital energy, flows around the body in a series of channels (meridians), related to your body’s structures, organs and emotions.
Good health results when qi is flowing smoothly and freely, with no areas of stagnation (blockage) or depletion. However, good health is a dynamic balance rather than a static state. For a number of lifestyle and environmental reasons, qi can become disturbed, depleted or blocked, which can result in symptoms of pain and illness. The Chinese have a saying:
“Where there is flow, no pain. Where there is pain, no flow”.
Interference of qi flow
In terms of back and shoulder pain, the reasons for qi flow becoming stagnant or depleted can include:
- trauma, e.g. whiplash, a fall, a sports injury
- climate, e.g. being in a cold or damp environment, being in a draught
- unexpressed emotions, e.g. grief, stress, anger
- posture
- internal organ disharmony, e.g. imbalance in Kidney qi commonly reflects in the lower back or knees
In practice, the clinical diagnosis usually involves several of these factors, especially in cases of chronic pain.
Quality of pain
The quality of pain is an important diagnostic factor in TCM. Is your pain a dull ache, a sharp stabbing, a burning sensation, a stiffness, a heavy, dragging sensation, a numbness or a tingling? Is it better with rest or movement? Do you wake up with it in the morning, or does it get worse throughout the day? Are there localised points of extreme tenderness? Is it worse if the weather is cold, hot or humid? Is your pain made better or worse by pressure or massage? Is the intensity of your pain made worse by stress or tiredness?
The location of your pain is also significant. Often, referred pain follows the pathway of a meridian. This is commonly seen in sciatica, when pain follows the pathway of either the Gallbladder meridian (down the lateral side of the leg) or the Bladder meridian (down the centre of the back of the thigh). It may also occur with shoulder pain. It is quite common for pain to be referred along the Large and / or Small Intestine channels down the arm to the fingers or into the neck.
Traditional Chinese medicine can be an effective therapy to help restore the smooth, balanced flow of qi, and promote physical and emotional harmony. There are different approaches to treating your back and shoulder pain depending on the diagnosis, and a number of different methods may be used.
Massage
Tight and tender points within the tissues, and knots within the muscles, are areas of stagnation. Massage is a fantastic way to move stagnation within the channels and restore the smooth flow of qi to an area. In terms of Western physiology, it encourages blood flow to the sore area and improves lymphatic drainage. The increased circulation brings with it the oxygen and nutrients the tissues need for repair. By stimulating the lymphatic system, the body’s waste disposal system, massage helps to clear away lactic acid and other byproducts of cellular metabolism. Plus, it feels great to receive!
Cupping
Suction cups are used on particular acupuncture points, or can be slid over the skin to clear stagnation from meridians. The sensation is similar to a focused massage. It helps to relieve congestion in the lymphatic system and improve circulation to the tissues. It is an effective way to release tension in an area when massage is uncomfortable.
Cupping is also useful to clear phlegm from the lungs after a cold.
Heat Treatment
Heat helps to move stagnation and relax muscles. The warmth penetrates deeply into the muscle layers, helping to stimulate blood circulation and reduce stiffness and aching. Heat can be provided either by use of an infrared lamp or by moxibustion (the burning of moxa). Moxa is a herb, Artemisia vulgaris (common mugwort), which is commonly used in TCM. Sticks of moxa are lit and held close to the skin to warm specific acupressure points. Alternatively, cones of moxa can be placed on the ends of needles, so that the heat travels down the needles directly into the points.
Moxibustion is a really relaxing, comforting feeling, and very beneficial for the sort of pain that is made worse by cold weather.
We have a selection of wheat bags for purchase at the clinic, so you can continue your treatment at home in between appointments.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture needles are placed into specific points to regulate the flow of qi, moving stagnation and tonifying deficiency. The needles might be placed into points on your legs and arms, rather than into the sore points on your back or shoulders. Treatment can be extremely relaxing, and will address the root cause of your pain and any underlying constitutional factors, rather than just treating your symptoms.
Your treatment may include lifestyle and homecare advice as well as specific exercises and stretching techniques to improve your range of motion.
For further information about any aspect of treating pain with TCM, please contact Eleanor Rees at the clinic on (01642) 788755, or directly on (07929) 038364
For more information, www.total-wellbeing.co.uk
We treat patients from across Teesside and the North East including Middlesbrough, Billingham, Castleton, Darlington, Hartlepool, Marske-by-the-Sea, Northallerton, Redcar, Richmond, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Stockton-on-Tees, Stokesley, Thirsk, Yarm, Ripon, York, Norton, Thornaby, Wynyard, Teesside, Sedgefield, Ingleby Barwick and surrounding areas.
Other health professionals at Yarm Osteopaths and Physiotherapy Clinic cover various disciplines including Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Occupational Therapy, Massage, Indian Head Massage, Psychotherapy, Nutrition, Naturopathy, Allergy Testing, Sports, Pilates, Podiatry, Reflexology.
