Pain Reduction

In Western medicine, pain is characterized as a complex interplay of physiological and psychological factors, serving primarily as a warning mechanism linked to injury or potential harm. Pain types are classified based on the nature of the damage, including neuropathic (nerve), nociceptive (tissue), and nociplastic (altered nociception) pain. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), however, posits that pain is a result of internal disharmony, particularly due to stagnation of blood and Qi, which could impair organ function. TCM employs a range of primary methods for pain management, such as acupuncture, cupping, massage, scraping, moxibustion, and nutritional or herbal remedies. Scientific investigations corroborate the multidimensional aspect of pain, suggesting its underpinnings are not just physiological but also psychological and sociocultural, as indicated in publications from the Journal of Pain Research and the National Institute of Health. Hence, an integrative approach to pain management may offer a more holistic treatment paradigm.