Conditions - Muscle Strain

Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Muscle Strain

TCM Description:

An external full stagnation of blood (and qi) (acute).

Treatment:

Disperse accumulation of blood and qi then restore healthy circulation. (Relieve pain, increase rate of healing, restore full function).

Very Acute:

• Ice and compression within first 24 hours
• Cupping - a large cup over affected area if convenient.
• Acupuncture - ear acupuncture on corresponding point, needle the tender equivalent point on the opposite limb.
• Ligament or plaster.
• Herbal Treatment - Hit pill if severe. eg: Jin Gu Die Shang Wan, Xiong Dan Die Da Wan.

After three days:

• Cupping - a large cup over affected area in convenient
• Acupuncture - ear acupuncture on corresponding point, points above and below the area. If straing is more acute or large in area it is probably better to use main meridian or major extra points. As the strain reduces and the edges become clearer, ah shi points close to the edge of the affected area are more appropriate. Electro-stimulation is helpful after the very acute stage, or if the strain is mild, or in a small area (tendinitis).
• Liniment or plaster.
• Herbal Treatment - Hit pill if severe. eg: Jin Gu Die Shang Wan, Xiong Dan Die Da Wan.
• As the strain resolves introduce massage, stretching, and gentle active exercises.

If the acute strain does not heal with a strong repair and minimum scar tissue it will become a site of emptiness, prone to future strain. If a strain seems to have become chronic check carefully for trigger points in the muscle or related muscles as these often persist after a strain has healed.

Chronic strain (that has been acute):

• Massage - deep and penetrating.
• Heat - Moxa
• Acupuncture - Ah shi points - choose the most tender spots, Electro-stimulation can be used, needle any trigger point in the muscle and relevant synergists. Local points - Closest to the strain. Distal points - Only one if there is no underlying emptiness or qi stagnation.

Prognosis:

If the strain is in the muscle belly the cause has probably been trauma and the patient young. The prognosis is for a complete recovery in three weeks or less.

If the strain is in the musculo-tendinous junction it will heal unless there is an underlying emptiness (often from previous trauma).

If strain is in the tendon, there is usually some underlying emptiness and the strain has probably become chronic by the time you see it. The prognosis depends on the degree of emptiness present.

If the strain is in the tendino-priosteal junction, the patient is probably older and a poor blood supply in the area will have been a contributing cause (underlying emptiness). Without treatment the prognosis is often poor but effective treatment can give relief in a few weeks.

References

This information has been used with permission from Close to the Bone by David Legge.

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