Phase 1: Integrating Chinese Medicine

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Phase 1: Integrating Chinese Medicine

Patients may not seek treatment from their acupuncturist during this phase either, for the same reasons described previously.  If they do, however, it is important to apply the same treatment goals as the physical therapist.

Wrap or splint the injured area to protect against further injury and to allow clotting to occur and scar tissue formation to begin with minimal disruption.  Do not take the attitude often heard in the Chinese medicine community that ”immobilization causes stagnation!”  To an extent this is true, but for the first 72 hours to one week, local stagnation is the goal.

Treatment can still be done to move qi and blood systemically and control swelling when the injured area is immobilized, and treatment should also be done to control tissue temperature.  Local hypoxia as a result of swelling and excess heat created by the inflammatory process can damage the surrounding cells.

The basic treatment principle would be to clear heat and toxin or drain fire.  Don’t be afraid to cool the area with herbs, liniments, poultices, or ice.

Finally, in this phase, treat to reduce the patient’s pain.  Given that "pain is a reflection of the shen," it is vital to calm the shen.  Some points used to calm the shen and heart include HT 3 (Shaohai), HT 7 (Shenmen), PC-6 (Neiguan), GB 20 (Fengchi), Du 20 (Baihui) and the extra point Sishencong (3).  For herbal prescriptions, see Appendix 1.