Pain is the first thing that the AMA (American Medical Association) acknowledged that Acupuncture excelled at treating. Acupuncture, Tui Na, and Chinese Herbs are some of the tools Acupuncturists use to effectively treat pain. Three other factors that often make an monumental difference in the treatment of pain are diet, hydration and exercise.
If the body can't detoxify as it should, there is pain. The first phase of liver detoxification is when toxins are released from the fat cells where they are stored. The second phase of liver detoxification is where toxins are flushed out of the body. The problem is, the second phase takes nutrients to work. The main source of those nutrients are vegetables. Most people in our society aren't eating enough different types of vegetables, enough times a day to engage the second phase. More colors and textures of vegetables mean more vitamins and minerals. When people physically work hard without eating and drinking enough they often get a fluish, achey feeling. That is what it feels like when the toxins are released from the fat cells, phase one, but not flushed out of the body, phase two. By eating a wide range of vegetables, every day, three times a day, phase two of liver detoxification is kicked in three times a day. Toxins are being flushed out and pain and inflammation is reduced, since toxins are a cause of inflammation.
Water is also necessary to flush out toxins and reduce pain. The human body is made up mostly of water. A rule of thumb is eight glasses of water per day. Of course, when people get hot, or increase physical activity, more water is needed. Coffee, tea, sodas, fruit juices, any other drinks don't count. Dehydration can cause pain. Enough water, every day, is necessary to prevent dehydration.
Exercise is the third component. Exercise gets the energy flowing in the entire body. That energy, or what the Chinese call Qi (pronounced Chi) is what moves the blood. When the blood isn't moving as is should there are areas that are adversely effected, what the Chinese refer to as Blood Stasis and Qi Stagnation. An example of Blood Stasis and Qi Stagnation is a bruise. The dark area just under the skin is the old blood not moving out and the new blood unable to flow in to provide the nutrients needed to nourish, relax and heal the area. When this happens just under the skin it is visible, as a bruise. When it is deeper it is not visible, but it still hurts. Evidence of Blood Stasis and Qi Stagnation is when people are stiff and in pain when they first get up in the morning or after not moving, such as when sitting or riding in the car any length of time. Pain makes people not want to move, so they are less active, resulting in a downward spiral of increased pain. If a person can do nothing else, they can usually manage what I call 'Butt Dancing'. It can be done sitting, while watching TV or riding in a car. Tighten up one butt cheek, release, then tighten up the other, put on some good music and butt dance away. The more physically active a person can be the less pain they usually suffer from.
As previously mentioned, Acupuncture and other TCM modalities excel at treating pain. With qualified treatment from a Licensed Acupuncturist and some additional tools such as diet, hydration, and exercise most pain can be resolved or drastically reduced.
Health & Happiness,
Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
