Pain Relief
TCM for Pain Relief
In addition to specializing in the treatment of Back Pain, Dr. Liang possesses extensive experience in addressing a wide range of pain-related issues. Below are just a few examples of the problems he has successfully treated:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Shoulder pain and restricted movement
- Knee pain and joint problems
- Headaches and migraines
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Arthritis and joint inflammation
- Sports injuries and muscle damage
- Postoperative pain and discomfort
These examples illustrate Dr. Liang’s diverse expertise in managing various pain-related conditions. His comprehensive approach, combining modalities such as Acupuncture, Tui Na massage, Cupping, and Chinese Herbal Medicine, enables him to provide effective and tailored treatments for each individual’s unique needs.
Case Studies
Period Pain
K.M., a 20-year-old student, had been suffering from severe period pain since her teenage years. During her menstrual cycle, she would experience symptoms of nausea, feeling cold, and would need to lie in bed covered with a quilt for comfort. Painkillers and the application of a hot water bottle provided some relief. She also noticed that her hands and feet felt cold, and her face and lips appeared pale. Upon examination, her tongue exhibited a white coating, and her pulse felt deep and weak.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, these symptoms indicated a deficiency of kidney Yang energy. To address her condition, I employed a treatment plan involving acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Two weeks prior to her next expected period, we focused on strengthening her Yang energy and improving blood circulation. As a result, when her period arrived, the pain was significantly reduced, allowing her to carry on with her normal activities. We continued the treatment for eight sessions, during which time she experienced no further period pain. Additionally, she noticed that her hands and feet became warmer, and she felt more energetic overall.
It is worth noting that acupuncture and herbal medicine have proven to be highly effective in treating period pain. Furthermore, they are beneficial in addressing irregular periods, heavy periods, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Through a holistic approach, TCM aims to restore balance and promote overall reproductive health.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
P.S., a 69-year-old male, had been experiencing facial pain for over 10 years. However, the pain had intensified significantly in the last two months. Everyday activities such as brushing teeth and chewing food would trigger severe pain akin to electric shocks. Additionally, P.S. was a heavy smoker, and his tongue exhibited a red color with a thick yellow coating. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, these symptoms indicated the presence of pathogenic fire and retention of phlegm.
To address his condition, I administered a combination of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. After three treatment sessions, P.S. began to experience a reduction in pain. By the eighth session, the pain had completely subsided. I continued to monitor his condition for a period of two years, during which time he remained free from facial pain.
It is important to note that Trigeminal Neuralgia is an extremely painful condition. From a TCM perspective, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to the development of pathogenic fire and retentive phlegm, which can disrupt blood circulation in the facial region and affect the nerves, resulting in pain. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can help improve local blood and mucus circulation, as well as facilitate the repair of damaged nerves. The majority of neuralgia patients I have treated with these modalities have experienced positive outcomes and relief from their symptoms.
Migraine
D.S., a 42-year-old lorry driver, had been suffering from migraines for over 10 years. When he sought my help, he was still experiencing migraines on a weekly basis, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. These migraines would often force him to sign off from work, seeking solace by lying on the floor with closed curtains. His greatest fear was having a migraine while driving, even though it had never happened before. Desperate for a cure, he sought my assistance.
To address his condition, I utilized a combination of Acupuncture and Acupressure. During the first month of treatment, D.S. experienced a decrease in the severity of his migraines. By the second month, he reported having no migraines at all. Delighted with the results, he continued to see me once a month for maintenance sessions. I followed his progress for nearly five years, during which time he remained mostly free from migraines, with only occasional minor headaches. In my experience, I have found that the main causes of migraines are often related to “blockage” and “tension.” Acupuncture and Acupressure have proven to be highly effective in alleviating blockages and reducing tension, leading to relief from migraines.
By unlocking these blockages and addressing tension through the application of Acupuncture and Acupressure, I have witnessed significant improvements in my patients’ migraine symptoms. This case study with D.S. is a testament to the effectiveness of these modalities in providing long-term relief from migraines and enhancing quality of life.
Sports Injury
Case study: C. P. a 18 years old athlete, who had a fracture on his foot (metatarsal
bone). After the fracture healed, his foot still swollen and feeling painful. After
Physiotherapy failed to work, he came to see me. I gave him Tui Na massage,
Acupuncture, and Herbal tea treatment, two month later there was no pain, no swollen.
His sport performance also improved.
Note: In my clinic, I find Acupuncture especially effective for treating tendon, ligament
spray injury, all this injuries have poorly response to another type of treatment. Sport
injury is better treated early, with a lot of acute injury, only one or two sessions of
Acupuncture can solve the problems. But if you lost the early opportunity, the chronic
injuries still could get better by Acupuncture, but just need taking longer time.
Tennis Elbow
F.S., a 53-year-old male and painter, developed Tennis Elbow as a result of repetitive movements required by his job. He experienced pain in his left elbow and difficulty gripping objects, which prevented him from continuing his work. In need of urgent assistance, he sought help.
To address his condition, I employed a combination of Tui Na massage, Acupuncture, and Cupping. After just one session, F.S. experienced a significant reduction in pain. Following two additional sessions, the pain completely disappeared.
It is important to note that Tennis Elbow, despite being considered a minor issue, can be challenging to treat. The pain typically originates from the bony lump on the outer side of the elbow, an area with minimal muscle tissue, making it difficult to address. While traditional Acupuncture has shown some success in treating Tennis Elbow, the results may not always be optimal. In recent years, however, I have achieved excellent outcomes by combining Tui Na massage, “Surrounding needling” Acupuncture, and Cupping techniques.
These combined approaches have proven to be highly effective in managing Tennis Elbow, providing relief to individuals like F.S. who require prompt resolution of their pain to resume their normal activities.
Knee Pain
M.D., an 81-year-old male, had been living with Arthritis in both knees for over 20 years. However, in the past seven months, he experienced a significant increase in pain, making it extremely difficult for him to walk. Despite attempting painkillers and Cortisone injections, he found no relief. Even gentle touch on his knees caused a noticeable jump in his leg during examination.
To address his condition, I employed a combination of Tui Na Massage and Acupuncture specifically targeting his knees. After just two sessions, M.D. experienced a reduction in pain, enabling him to walk without the need for a walking stick. Touching his knees was no longer painful. Following a total of five treatment sessions, the pain had significantly diminished. We then transitioned to monthly treatments for three months, during which time he continued to improve. Eventually, we ceased treatment as M.D. reported being in a stable and pain-free condition.
It is important to note that knee pain is a common problem that can arise from various factors, including arthritis, muscle, ligament, tendon, and cartilage damage. Acupuncture can enhance blood circulation around the knee, promote the repair of damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons, alleviate pain, and improve strength and flexibility in the knee joint. I have successfully treated individuals of various age groups, ranging from young to elderly, with positive outcomes in all cases.
Migraine & Tension Headache
K.A., a 45-year-old male, suffered a head injury three months ago when he collided with a tree branch. Since then, he had been experiencing persistent tension headaches, significantly impacting his ability to concentrate on his work. During my examination, I identified that the pain was primarily localized on one side of his head, and I also discovered a specific pain pressure point. Based on these findings, I decided to focus on the gall bladder meridian for Acupuncture, employ Tui Na massage on the pressure point, and utilize a special Acupuncture technique targeting the head.
Following just one session, the patient returned with positive feedback. He reported experiencing a deep sleep, a sensation he hadn’t felt in nearly a decade. Upon waking up, he noticed that the majority of his pain had dissipated, leaving his head feeling refreshed. Encouraged by this initial response, we continued the same treatment for an additional three sessions, resulting in complete resolution of the headache.
It is important to note that from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), both Migraine and Tension Headache are often attributed to blood stagnation. In this particular case, the stagnation was a consequence of the head injury. However, blood stagnation can also arise due to factors such as stress, poor posture, or an unhealthy diet. Thus, addressing blood stagnation is crucial in the treatment of Migraine and Tension Headache.
In the past year alone, I have successfully treated over 30 cases of Migraine and Tension Headache patients, with positive outcomes reported by all. These experiences further underscore the effectiveness of TCM approaches in managing such conditions.