Muscle & Joint Pain

Muscle strain > Arthritis > Tension headaches > Migraines > tmj & Jaw pain

Muscle Strain

Condition: Also known as Pulled Muscles, a Muscle Strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, redness, bruising, limited motions, spasms, cramps or swelling. Muscles and tendons can become strained from overstretching; in more severe injuries, these tissues could involve partial or complete tears. Strains can occur anywhere, but are commonly seen in the muscles of the back, neck and legs.

TCM Approach: Acupuncture is an effective treatment for Muscle Strain. The needle can pinpoint the triggered area with precision. The pain will be treated locally to release the strain with specific needling techniques. Needles will also be inserted distally to encourage circulation while accessing the meridians to manipulate the flow of Qi. When a muscle is strained, there is no new Blood or Qi flow entering the area, but this also means the old Blood and Qi remaining is causing inflammation, redness, swelling, loss of mobility and pain. Releasing the muscle, encouraging fresh Qi and Blood flow while also relaxing the nervous system is why TCM is renowned for treating Muscle Strain.

Proposed Treatment: During the intake, it's important to establish the cause of muscular strain in order to treat the injury but also the meridians and organ systems that might be involved as well. Muscular Strain treatments can be intense as we tend to consciously or unconsciously guard the areas that are hurting. But in order to ease the pain and have mobility return, the affected area is often treated directly. Muscle Strains can be complex and will utilize a combination of acupuncture and another modality such as electrical stimulation, gua sha, cupping and tuina massage. Treatments of this nature require time; choosing the 60 min or 90 min follow-up is appropriate.

Arthritis 

Condition: Arthritis refers to the inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage that covers and protects the joints to break down; this typically worsens with age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system attacks the joints themselves. 

TCM Approach: Arthritis, caused by aging, genetic factors, repetitive strain, overuse and injury, can seriously hamper one's quality of life. In TCM, it is known as a type of Bi Syndrome. A Bi Syndrome or Painful Obstruction Syndrome is typically caused by an invasion of External Wind, Cold, Heat or Dampness. One or more of these external factors can obstruct the flow of Qi and Blood in the channels. Depending upon the type of Bi Syndrome presented will dictate the treatment protocol. 

Proposed Treatment: Treating the affected joints directly with acupuncture, along with needling the affected systems, Spleen, Blood, Yang or Yin is crucial to address the underlying cause and relieve pain. TCM formulas, modalities such as tuina massage, cupping and possibly gua sha can also be used. Modifications to lifestyle and diet may also be suggested. Booking longer 60 or 90 minute treatments is ideal for employing a combination of modalities to help ease pain and produce lasting results. Due to the degenerative nature of Arthritis, expect frequent treatments at first to reduce inflammation and subsequent maintenance treatments to slow down deterioration.

Tension Headaches 

Condition: Tension headaches can range in intensity from mild to moderate. The pain can be felt behind the eyes, in the neck and head; some describe it as a tight band around their forehead. While others can feel it stem from their occiput or nape of the neck. Tension headaches are very common and many people experience them episodically, approximately one to two times a month.

TCM Approach: When there is no Qi flow, there is often pain. Tension headaches can be caused by tightening and shortening of the upper back and neck muscles. By restoring the flow of Qi to the areas, meridians and organs that are constricted should ease the pain and ultimately relieve the headache. Depending on the chronic nature of the tension headaches, Blood may need to be supported and moved to improve circulation, mobility and lessen pain. 

Proposed Treatment: Identifying the causes of tension headaches, ie. stress, poor posture, lack of stretching, etc is important to know from a preventative standpoint. The precision of the acupuncture needles along with electrical stimulation can provide relief by targeting the specific muscle groups involved. By using cupping and gua sha can take this treatment to the next level by dispersing old blood, lymph and lactic acid to allow fresh, Qi and oxygenated Blood to heal the area. Choosing a 60 or 90 minute treatment is ideal to address the tension headache from all angles. Expect to see results in 1 to 4 treatments, with adjustments to lifestyle also followed through

Migraines 

Condition: Migraines refer to a neurological condition that produces severe headaches that can be debilitating. A Migraine attack can last for hours or days negatively impacting a sufferers quality of life. Migraines are described as throbbing or pulsing pain, sometimes starting on part of the head or eyes. They can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, visual auras, irritability, temporary vision loss, extreme sensitivity to light and sound. 

TCM Approach: Knowing the onset, duration, triggering factors, relieving factors and location of the Migraine are all diagnostically relevant in TCM. During an intake, it's important to know if the Migraine is affected by certain types of weather or if its root is internal. All of this information will paint a picture and guide the treatment because it will indicate which organs, systems or substances (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang) are causing the Migraines. 

Proposed Treatment: Treating a migraine is also a multifaceted approach, often using a combination of acupuncture, cupping, gua sha and Chinese herbs to treat it. Excess-type Migraines, tend to clear with a bit more ease than ones caused by a Deficiency; certain substances like Blood take time and effort to build back. Therefore, depending on whether the Migraine is Excessive or Deficient will dictate the timeline and prognosis. Choosing a longer treatment length will allow time for combining a variety of modalities. Expect lifestyle and nutritional advice to be dispensed as well.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) & Jaw Pain

Condition: TMJ and Jaw Pain can cause tension in the muscles and joints of the jaw, controlling its movement. In TMJ specifically, the temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull with a sliding hinge. When this joint, along with the surrounding ligaments and muscles, becomes inflamed or overworked, pain, tightness and a clicking sensation when opening and closing the mouth can ensue. Trauma, clenching of the jaw, teeth grinding and stress can all contribute to Jaw Pain. 

TCM Approach: The Gallbladder meridian lays along the jaw and provides an important clue in treating Jaw Pain. The Gallbladder is known as a Wood Element organ and is paired with the Liver. The Liver in TCM is associated with the smooth and free movement of Qi and most commonly stress. When Qi is not flowing, this can cause pain and immobility but also emotional tension; in this case, along the path of the Gallbladder meridian. Jaw Pain, when caused by stress, is a reactionary response whereby a person clenches or grinds their teeth consciously or unconsciously overworking and straining the jaw muscles and Temporomandibular Joint. 

Proposed Treatment: Acupuncture needling with precision can target key trigger points in the jaw, face and scalp that will help relieve the pain associated with TMJ. Clinically speaking, most individuals with Jaw Pain also suffer from a tight upper back and neck. A multi-pronged approach is called for to open up the area and encourage Qi and Blood flow. Needles are inserted locally and distally to treat the Jaw directly, but to also address the underlying Qi stagnation and stress. Additional facial cupping, gua sha and tuina massage is implemented to relax and ease the pain. Longer treatments are recommended to fit in these modalities, such as the 60 minute follow-up or the 90 minute Acupuncture Face & Body Treatment. With all muscular treatments, expect 2 to 4 treatments to help clear the pain; a subsequent treatment plan will be created once results are evaluated.