Traumatic Painaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Injuries, Cuts & Traumatic Wounds
What is Traumatic Pain?
Traumatic pain encompasses the discomfort and distress arising from physical injuries or trauma. This pain type is typically linked to various physical harm forms, such as accidents, falls, and surgical procedures, and includes numerous subtypes like injury-induced pain and trauma-related pain.
Understanding traumatic pain involves appreciating its physical and psychological dimensions, acknowledging the body's response to injury, and the nature of the pain experienced.
TCM Perspective on Traumatic Pain
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), traumatic pain is perceived as a disruption in the body's vital energy flow, known as Qi, and the circulation of Blood. These disruptions, often caused by injury or physical trauma, result in pain due to blockages or imbalances in Qi and Blood.
TCM approaches this pain holistically, seeking to restore balance and enhance Qi and Blood flow, thus addressing the root causes of pain and fostering recovery. Emotional well-being is also a crucial component in TCM's treatment strategy for traumatic pain.
Causes of Traumatic Pain According to TCM
TCM attributes traumatic pain primarily to Blood Stagnation and Qi Stagnation, conditions where the injury obstructs the normal energy and blood flow.
Additionally, the invasion of External Wind, Cold, or Dampness into the injury site can worsen the pain and slow down the healing process. TCM treatments focus on eliminating these blockages and restoring the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, thereby alleviating pain and promoting recovery.
TCM Herbal Recommendations for Traumatic Pain
TCM utilizes a range of herbs for treating traumatic pain, each targeting specific disharmony patterns. Herbs like Diverse Wormwood Herbs (Liu Ji Nu), Sappan Woods (Su Mu), and Corydalis Tubers (Yan Hu Suo) are frequently used to treat Blood Stagnation. These herbs aid in enhancing blood circulation and reducing pain. Paniculate Swallowwort Roots (Xu Chang Qing) and Homalomena Rhizomes (Qian Nian Jian) are effective against Wind-Damp Painful Obstruction, helping to lessen pain and inflammation. Paris Rhizomes (Chong Lou) and Sargentodoxa Stems (Da Xue Teng) are beneficial in conditions involving Toxic Heat, commonly exacerbating traumatic pain.
For emotional disturbances linked with physical trauma, Silktree Albizia Barks (He Huan Pi) is used for its calming properties. In conditions of Blood-Heat, Indian Madder Roots (Qian Cao) are used for their cooling effects. The choice of these herbs is tailored to individual diagnosis and pattern differentiation in TCM, ensuring a treatment approach that is customized to each patient's specific needs.
TCM Herbs for Traumatic Pain
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that anchor and calm the spirit
- Herbs that cool the blood
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Traumatic pain can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Diverse Wormwood Herbs (Liu Ji Nu), which is directly recommended for traumatic pain.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for traumatic pain
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Diverse Wormwood Herbs (Liu Ji Nu) | Not applicable |
| Sappan Woods (Su Mu) | Not applicable |
| Corydalis Tubers (Yan Hu Suo) | Not applicable |
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Traumatic pain can be treated by these herbs when it is due to the invasion or accumulation of wind and dampness, which often affects the muscles and joints.
One such herb is Paniculate Swallowwort Roots (Xu chang Qing), which is directly recommended for traumatic pain.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness" recommended for traumatic pain
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Paniculate Swallowwort Roots (Xu chang Qing) | Not applicable |
| Homalomena Rhizomes (Qian Nian Jian) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Traumatic pain can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Paris Rhizomes (Chong Lou), which is directly recommended for traumatic pain.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for traumatic pain
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Paris Rhizomes (Chong Lou) | Not applicable |
| Sargentodoxa Stems (Da Xue Teng) | Not applicable |
Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit
Traumatic pain can be treated by these herbs if it stems from disturbances in the Shen (spirit), often due to instability in the heart and kidney energies.
One such herb is Silktree Albizia Barks (He Huan Pi), which is directly recommended for traumatic pain.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Traumatic pain can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Indian Madder Roots (Qian Cao), which is directly recommended for traumatic pain.