Pain is an important signal for Chinese medicine

Pain relief alone is usually not enough
Gerolzhofen, September 2015. Many chronic diseases are associated with pain. Patients usually have only one view of the agony: the pain has to go. However, for Chinese medicine, pain is one of the most important signals when it comes to combating the causes of chronic illness. The pain is first taken seriously as a signal in this pathology, which provides diagnostically important information about the disorders in the interior of the body. In the course of therapy according to Chinese viewpoint, changes in pain are also an important measure of therapy. Far Eastern medicine has more to offer than acupuncture.

The expert for Chinese medicine and head of the clinic at Steigerwald Christian Schmincke explains: "For Chinese medicine, any pain is initially a qi-blockade, a sign that the flow of energy in the body is interrupted." What causes are responsible for such energetic bottlenecks, on pain quality and place of pain are important diagnostic Hints. In addition, Chinese medicine uses a comprehensive medical history with pulse and tongue diagnostics. All methods give the therapist a picture on which to build the therapy.

Those who speak of Chinese medicine in pain in this country usually think only of acupuncture. On the one hand, acupuncture can "turn off" more than just pain, on the other hand, for example, Chinese herbal therapy plays a far more important role when it comes to the long-term success of therapy. "In fact, acupuncture sometimes leads to a stunningly rapid pain-relieving effect," says dr. Schmincke. "The targeted needling of acupuncture points solves the blockages, which is often sufficient in the acute pain attack." If it is on the other hand to chronic, so recurring pain, it requires profound methods such as the Chinese drug therapy.

Herbal ingredients such as roots, barks or tubers have a high potential for action. They awaken and control self-healing powers. Depending on the clinical picture they support the elimination of inflammation or metabolic toxins, regulate the immune system or strengthen the body's natural clarifying functions - all the causes underlying the painful blockages. As a result, the therapy concept aims at the disorder that lies behind the pain, and is much more sustainable. "The disappearance of the pain - as enjoyable as it is for the patient and the doctor - is not sufficient as an indicator alone," explains Dr. med. Schmincke. "Pain relief is just part of the overall recovery process."

In addition, Chinese medicine experts are reviewing the long-term use of analgesics and weighing up each remedy together with the patient to see if it is maintained, discontinued, reduced or missed. The conventional medical medication with pain medication usually hinders the Chinese therapy and makes it more tedious. (Pm)