Pain conditions
Pain in muscles, tendons, joints and back is common. Sometimes pain occurs suddenly after an injury or wrong movement, while other symptoms gradually develop due to e.g. overload, wear and tear or insufficient recovery. Also headaches and migraines can return regularly or remain present for a long time.
Pain can affect movement, work, exercise, sleep and daily activities. Moreover, the place where you feel pain does not always say what the cause is. For example, low back pain can have various causes and can be involved behind shoulder pain both muscles, tendons and joints.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used for various pain symptoms. Which treatment is appropriate depends on the location, cause and characteristics of the pain and on your personal situation. On the individual complaint pages you can read more about specific pain symptoms.
Common pain symptoms
Musculoskeletal pain can occur in different places. Common symptoms are:
- Lower back pain
- Upper back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow pain
- Pulse pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Single pain
- Heel pain
- Headaches and migraine
- Evocative pain to an arm or leg
- Pain after a sports injury
The location of the pain is an important starting point, but it does not always tell you what the cause is. On the individual complaint pages you can read more about possible causes and treatment options for example low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, heel pain and headache or migraine.
Western disorders
Pain can occur in many different conditions. Sometimes there is a clear medical diagnosis, while in other pain symptoms no specific condition or tissue damage is found.
Examples of conditions where pain may occur include:
- osteoarthritis
- hernia;
- sciatica;
- Frozen shoulder;
- tendonopathy and other tendon complaints;
- mucus-exchange inflammation (bursitis);
- tennis or golfer's elbow;
- carpal tunnel syndrome;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- gout;
- Fibromyalgia
Diagnosis can provide important information about the possible cause of pain and which structures or processes are involved. What diseases are relevant varies greatly from pain location to pain location. Therefore, possible diagnoses are discussed more extensively on the individual complaint pages.
Possible causes of pain
Pain can be caused by overload, injury, wear, inflammation or irritation of a nerve. Also long-term one-sided stress, static posture and insufficient recovery can contribute to the onset or recurrence of symptoms.
With prolonged pain, multiple factors often play a role at the same time. Thus, reduced strength, muscle tension, stress, sleep deprivation and previous injuries can affect how pain develops, is experienced and recovers.
Therefore, not only is it looked at where you are in pain, but also at the onset and course of complaints, movement and load, recovery and any other health problems.
How can acupuncture help with pain?
Acupuncture is tailored to the specific pain complaint and your personal situation. It looks at the location and characteristics of the pain, the potential cause and factors affecting recovery. For example, a recent sports injury requires a different approach than long-term back pain or recurrent headaches.
Depending on the complaint, the treatment may include:
- reducing pain;
- relaxing tense muscles;
- supporting mobility;
- promoting local blood flow;
- supporting the recovery of muscles, tendons and other tissues;
- influencing factors that can sustain pain, such as stress and insufficient recovery.
In addition, within Chinese medicine, the meridians involved and the underlying TCM pattern are included. On the individual complaint pages you can find out which treatment principles are applied to specific pain symptoms.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with pain?
Chinese herbal medicine can be combined with acupuncture in some pain symptoms. The herbs are tailored to the characteristics of the pain and the underlying TCM pattern. Because herbs are taken daily, they can also support the body between acupuncture treatments.
Depending on the pattern, herbal treatment may be directed at:
- reducing pain and stiffness;
- promoting the flow of Qi and Blood;
- supporting swelling or fluid accumulation;
- supporting muscles, tendons and joints;
- promoting recovery in the event of long-term or recurring complaints.
Which treatment principles are relevant varies greatly from pain complaint to pain complaint. On the individual pages you can read more extensively what role Chinese herbal medicine can play in, for example, back pain, neck pain, headache or other pain complaints.
How does Chinese medicine view pain?
Western medicine investigates what causes pain and which structures or processes are involved in it. In addition, Chinese medicine looks at the location and character of the pain, the conditions under which it improves or worsens and any other symptoms.
In pain, the meridians and the flow of Qi and Blood play an important role. Meridians are within Chinese medicine networks that connect different areas of the body. The place of pain and any radiant pain help determine which meridians are involved in the treatment.
Qi describes various functional activities of the body. Blood within Chinese medicine has a nourishing function for muscles, tendons and other tissues. When Qi and Blood flow is hindered, according to this vision pain, stiffness and movement limitations can occur.
Also the character of the pain gives information. Sharp, local pain after an injury is assessed differently from pain and stiffness that clearly worsens due to cold, or prolonged dull pain associated with fatigue and reduced capacity for activity.
A recognizable combination of such characteristics and other symptoms is called a TCM pattern, which together with the location and meridians involved forms the basis for treatment.
Below are only some common patterns for pain. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. Not everyone with the same pattern has all the symptoms mentioned. What pattern is present is determined based on the overall picture of complaints.
Which meridians, organ systems and patterns are important varies from pain complaint to pain complaint. On the individual complaint pages this is discussed in more detail.
Further reading
Common TCM patterns in pain
Qi- and Blood stagnation
If Qi and Blood flow is obstructed locally, Chinese medicine may cause pain. This occurs, for example, after an injury or overload. If the recovery is not complete, the reduced flow may remain present for longer according to this vision.
Common symptoms
- sharp or stabbing pain;
- a clearly identifiable pain spot;
- pressure sensitivity;
- stiffness or restriction of movement;
- sometimes swelling or bruising.
Examples of Western disorders
Sports injuries, bruising, sprains, tendon complaints and other local muscle and joint problems.
Wind, Cold and Dampness
Within Chinese medicine, Wind, Cold and Dampness are used to describe pain symptoms associated with stiffness, heaviness and sensitivity to weather conditions. Cold is mainly associated with pain and stiffness that improve through heat, while Dampness is more often associated with heavy feeling.
Common symptoms
- pain and stiffness aggravated by cold or humid weather;
- feeling heavy in muscles or joints;
- complaints worse after rest;
- improvement by heat or movement;
- Sometimes pain changes places.
Examples of Western disorders
Arthrosis, chronic muscle and joint problems and some rheumatic disorders.
Damp-Heat
When pain is accompanied by obvious heat, redness and swelling, this can fit in with Dampness-Heat within Chinese medicine. This pattern is mainly used when inflammatory features are at the forefront.
Common symptoms
- warm or red joints;
- swelling;
- burning or severe pain;
- a heavy feeling;
- symptoms that may worsen due to heat.
Examples of Western disorders
Gout, active arthritis and some inflammations of joints, tendons or mucus fairs.
Qi- and Blood deficiency
In the case of long-term complaints, Chinese medicine does not provide sufficient Qi and Blood to nourish and support muscles, tendons and other tissues. This may reduce capacity for activity and may take longer to recover.
Common symptoms
- dull or nasty pain;
- fatigue;
- reduced load capacity;
- muscle weakness;
- slow recovery after exercise.
Examples of Western disorders
Prolonged muscle and tendon complaints, recurrent overload symptoms and slow recovery after injury or surgery.
Liver and Kidney deficiency
Within Chinese medicine, the Liver and Kidneys are linked to nutrition and support of tendons, bones and joints. When these functions gradually weaken, especially long-term or degenerative symptoms can occur.
Common symptoms
- gradual or prolonged pain;
- stiffness;
- reduced load capacity;
- weakness of lower back or knees;
- Slow recovery.
Depending on the specific pattern, it can also be possible to avoid problems such as crucability or heat and dryness.
Examples of Western disorders
Arthrosis, chronic back and knee problems and other prolonged or degenerative musculoskeletal symptoms.
These patterns give a general picture of how pain within Chinese medicine can be distinguished. For example, in low back pain other patterns and meridians may be central than with shoulder pain, heel pain or headache. Read more about this on the individual complaint pages.
Outlook
How a treatment course goes depends on the specific pain complaint, the cause, the severity, how long the symptoms last and your personal situation. Acute symptoms often react faster than pain that has been present for a long time, while prolonged or complex complaints usually require more time.
In case of severe complaints, a higher frequency of treatment may be appropriate in the beginning. As complaints and capacity for activity improve, the time between treatments can be adjusted.
Because the course of treatment varies greatly by type of pain, you can read more extensively on the individual complaint pages what you can expect with that specific complaint.
Contact
Do you suffer from pain and do you want to know if acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine can mean anything to you?
During a first consultation, we will discuss your complaints, medical history and any underlying factors. On the basis of this, a treatment plan will be drawn up that matches your personal situation.
You can make an appointment directly online or contact us for more information.