Expert: Heather Vandeburg L.Ac M.S.O.M. dipl.Ac - 7/2/2010

Question
Hello, I am a physio just finishing my basic training in acupuncture for pain relief.  I am fascinated by the differences between TCM and western approaches, and am wondering whether this is applicable to treatment for wrist fractures.  I gather that a TCM practitioner would use acupuncture before the cast ever came off, maybe using points on the other hand and foot?  I also read an article where they suggested that other holistic factors would influence the points used.  I would love to be a bit clearer on this, and to find out if there is any way I can use a bit of both approaches in my practice.  Would you be able to point me to any literature on this subject?  What is your experience?  Would you have a simplistic "recipe" that I could try before I have gained my own experience?  Do you feel there is a significant difference between East and West in this area?

I'd be really grateful for any help you can give me,

Best regards,

Margaret

Answer
Hi, Margaret,
Bone setting in China is part of TCM.  There are great herbal oral decoctions and external pastes and liniments that are used to treat fractures.  If it is possible to treat the local area we will.  If not then we would treat distal points as soon as possible.  The foot or the other hand etc. We always treat the underlying TCM pattern this is the holistic approach your talking about.  Usually, with fracture the first stage pattern is blood stasis and heat toxin.  If there has been a lot of bleeding it maybe blood deficiency.  If the patient bleeds severely they may acquire wind.  So we treat the pattern we encounter.  They will be different for different types of people.  For example a very young person verses a very old person.  They have different underlying patterns.

With trauma the pattern will change as time goes by and as the symptoms change.  So the herbs you use and the point formula will change.  

Golden flower Chinese herbs has a great line called spring wind they have all kinds of liniments, compresses and pastes for acute trauma,stage one, two, and three. They also provide literature on how to use their products.  also Redwing books has a few book on treatment of pain and trauma.

I feel understand Chinese Medicine is important for treating people.  

I think Acupuncture for pain can be as simple as putting a needle in the Ashi(pain) spot. Literally, stick a needle where it hurts.  With in reason of course. Not in any dangerous areas or veins.

I think there is a lot of overlap between East and West when it comes to trauma.  The big difference is that we don't use cold on a trauma.  There are great liniment and herbs that will reduce swelling. In our logic cold stops qi movement and slows or stops the healing process.  

My ultimate suggestion for you is to learn more TCM it will be a big help in your practice.  Go and shadow some TCM practitioners.  

For a wrist fracture I would use TW5, TW4, LI4, on the other hand. Liv3, GB39, St41 on the opposite foot.  UB10

Hope this helps,
Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM