Joint Pain Causes and Chinese Herbal Treatment

Joint Pain Causes and
Chinese Herbal Treatment

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are various joint pain causes and treatments, just as in Western Medicine (WM). Joint pain is an extremely common problem. In the US alone over 40 million people reportedly have some form of joint pain. Joint pain refers to inflammation and pain in one or more joints in the body. Common joint pain symptoms are localized pain, swelling and stiffness as well as reduced range of motion and joint deformity.

WM and Joint Pain

In WM, joint pain causes include joint degeneration due to aging or wear and tear (osteoarthritis) and joint damage due to an autoimmune system disorder (rheumatoid arthritis). Treatment includes the use of a wide range of medications such as analgesic, corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory drugs. If used for too long or misused these tend to produce side-effects. Many people therefore turn to complimentary therapies, such as TCM, which are more gentle in action and when properly prescribed produce no side-effects.

TCM and Joint Pain

TCM, which has been treating pain for over 2,000 years, recognizes additional causes of joint pain. These include overuse of or trauma to a particular body part, prolonged exposure to a cold, damp environment and weakened immunity making you more susceptible to environmental factors such as cold, damp environments.

Treatment of joint pain in TCM includes herbal remedies, acupuncture, diet, massage and therapeutic exercises to stop pain, reduce inflammation, correct internal imbalances and strengthen immunity. Introduced below are some examples of how TCM may help you with joint pain.

Chinese Herbal Joint Pain Remedies

1. Herbal Formulas: The most effective joint pain remedy is usually a herbal formula. This may be a ready-made one in pill or tablet form or you may need something more specific, i.e. a formula that has been made up to specifically match your unique symptoms and body type. The only way to know which is best is by consulting a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner.

2. Liniments and Balms: These are applied externally to the affected joints and can give outstanding results. For instance, Tiger Balm (the white variety) is cooling and good for hot, inflamed joints. Red Tiger Balm is warming and good for joints affected by cold such as cold weather.

3. Plasters: Another effective joint pain remedy similar in action to liniments and balms. However these are patches that are stuck directly onto the joints. Where as liniments and balms need to be rubbed in several times a day, herbal plasters give continuous pain relief over a whole day or night.

What Next?

If you have joint pain or have been diagnosed with a form of arthritis and you prefer a natural alternative to arthritis medications I definitely recommend you consult a professional practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine. He/she will do a TCM diagnosis of your condition. This is an essential step in order to know precisely which joint pain remedy or joint pain remedies are best for you. A WM diagnosis is not enough to prescribe Chinese herbal remedies and vice-versa.

Curing Arthritis Naturally

An excellent book on joint pain causes and treatment in TCM is Curing Arthritis Naturally. Co-author Bob Flaws is a well-known Chinese medicine practitioner and author from the US. I have 13 of his books! This book includes not just the TCM causes of joint pain and treatment but also self-help therapies such as diet, massage and exercise.

If you have questions about joint pain causes and treatment from the TCM viewpoint just let me know - I'll be happy to help.