Three Stages of Injury

1. Injuries progress through three stages.
2. The first is up to two days after the injury.
3. The second stage lasts a few weeks.

Injuries older than 3 weeks are considered third stage or old injuries.

Treatment will vary individually and must be appropriate for each stage.

At first, immediately after an injury, treatment must stop bleeding, clear debris, reduce inflammation (heat), relieve pain (vitalize blood), and protect against stagnation. We encourage the flow of energy and fluids to the injured area. First stage treatment can employ acupuncture as well as internal and topical herbs. At all stages of injury, the Chinese practitioner tends to avoid the use of ice, as ice restricts flow and will result in a rougher healing. Soaking is usually discouraged whenever swelling is present, as it will worsen the swelling. Heat is not applied if the injury looks red or feels warm to the touch.

Next, in the second stage, the injury will change. Now we treat to reduce swelling, break remaining stagnations, promote flow, and begin to strengthen the qi of the tissue. Gentle acupuncture will promote flow, relieve pressure and loosen stagnations. Herbs used to promote the flow of water and disperse energy at the surface will be added to reduce possible swelling. Massage, painful in the first stage will aid the movement of energy and fluids. Some products for second stage injury are Dr. Shir’s Liniment, and 7 Forest’s San Qi 17 pills.

Finally, in the third stage, the site of the injury will be weak due to insufficient nourishment. At this stage, we strengthen the area aggressively and assist the growth of new tissue. Massage and heat (moxabustion), strengthening herbs like dang gui, drynaria, and ginseng are used internally and externally as well. Sometimes herbs used for arthritis (wind damp herbs) like du huo, or gentian are also used.

Injury Herbs & Formulas

Note: Most Of These Herbs And Herbal Products Are Forbidden During Pregnancy

Research: TCM and Trauma

The effect of standardized acupuncture programs in the aftercare of accident patients by Rabl V; Bochdansky T; Hertz H; Kern H; Meng A From: Unfallchirurgie, 9: 6, 1983 Dec, 308-13 153 patients suffering from pain, edematous conditions, and impaired movement following traumas sustained in accidents were treated or after-treated with acupuncture.

Acupuncture was applied in adherence to a standardized program according to the individual types of injury. The stimulus was applied by means of steel needles inserted into body as well as ear acupuncture points.

In all 9 groups, improvement of the painful condition was significant to highly significant as it was regarding improvement of the movement impairment, the latter not having been emphasized in the other 3 groups. Remaining complaints of long standing following accident traumas could also be positively influenced. Acupuncture proved itself to be an effective form of therapy for after-treatment of accident patients, presenting a valuable supplement to the field of rehabilitation, especially when combined with other physical therapeutic measures.

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