Table Of ContentC hinese M edical T raumatology and O rthopedics
by Robert Chu, PhD, LAc, QME
2011
Disclaimer
Please note that the author and publisher of these lecture notes are NOT
RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may result from
practicing the techniques and/or following the instructions given within. Since
the material deals with prior knowledge of acupuncture described herein, it will
be too complex in nature for some readers to engage in safely, and it is
essential that a licensed acupuncturist be consulted prior to application.
These lecture notes are to be used as a supplement when taking a course with
Robert Chu and are not to be distributed to others who have not taken the
course on Chinese Medicine Orthopedics and Traumatology with Robert
Chu.
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Author's Preface:
Since 2002,1 have begun seminars publicly on my paradigm of acupuncture and
how to use the system in a practical and systematic way in English. In this edition of
this book, I hope to guide my fellow colleagues into the intricacies of Chinese
Medicine Traumatology and Orthopedics and the use of Master Tung's Acupuncture
and my own paradigm called Optimal Acupuncture in Traumatology and
Orthopedics, and share the principles and concepts that make it a highly useful in
the clinical setting. I discuss here the principles and concepts that are used in the
clinic and of particular use to the Licensed Acupuncturist who also practices
Chinese Herbology.
There are thousands of prescriptions for Traumatology and Orthopedics and after
studying the subject for over 20 years and reading almost every book in Chinese
that dealt with the subject matter, I still like to distill the essentials and approach
work in a practical manner, and for one to use clinically on a daily basis. It is hoped
that the reader can use these principles and concepts here and achieve amazing
results in his or her practice, as these are the principles and concepts I use in my
own practice daily with amazing results!
I will, in future revisions of this work, further explain the analysis and understanding
of each of the points. It is hoped that reader's questions and interest will lead to
new revisions of this book.
I would like to thank my masters Kwan Jong Yuen, Yee Chi Wai, Lui Yon Sang,
Chan Tai Shan, Gong Duk Foon, for their early instruction in Chinese Dit Da
methods and stimulating me to further study Chinese medicine. I would also
acknowledge my teacher, Dr. Young Wei-chieh for instructing me in Master Tung's
Acupuncture, and Dr. Chen Chao for teaching me his I Ching Acupuncture system,
without which I could not create Optimal Acupuncture.
I would also like to thank my many teachers of Acupuncture, Tui Na and Chinese Medicine
for helping me along this path.
I would also like to thank my students for helping me develop the ITARA Master Tung
Acupuncture system and Optimal Acupuncture.
My good fortune of having talented people like David McKinnon, L.Ac, and Jack
Chang, L.Ac, has always made things worthwhile during these years of travel and
seminars.
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Note of Abbreviations used in this text
In this text we use the following abbreviations for the various channels:
Lu = Lung Channel
LI = Large Intestine Channel
St = Stomach Channel
Sp = Spleen Channel
H = Heart Channel
SI = Small Intestine Channel
UB = Urinary Bladder Channel
K = Kidney Channel
Pc = Pericardium Channel
SJ = Sanjiao Channel
GB = Gallbladder Channel
Liv = Liver Channel
Ren = Ren Channel
Du = Du Channel
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Introduction
Over thousands of years man has sought to alleviate pain and suffering, and trauma is the most
common disease, outside of affliction of the mind by greed, anger and stupidity. Man has sought
relief through herbals and other material medica, which spawned various indigenous medical
systems. In China, Chinese medicine was used to allieve pain, stop swelling, engender flesh, set
broken bones, and care for wounds in many forms - herbology was practiced in many flexible
methods: burning it as moxibustion, ingesting it by decoction, infusion, pills, used topically as
powders, pastes, liniments, lotions, wraps, fulmigation, soaks, washes and oils; Cupping was
used to relieve exterior wind, cold, and damp or to move stagnant blood; Acupuncture and blood
letting methods were used to move the Qi and blood in the 12 channels and 15 collaterals, as well
as the 8 extra vessels.
The literally thousands of prescriptions created by the various doctors of yesteryear could take
thousands of years to learn, categorize and memorize. Rather than memorizing prescriptions of
herbs or acupuncture, we should seek to instate and create prescriptions based upon logical
principles and concepts. In this way, we do not have to be bound by tradition. My own creation of
Optimal Acupuncture as a clinically efficient system, breaks down the art of acupuncture based on
signs and symptoms of the channels, and the use of flexible principles and concepts to apply them
clinically. Similarly, herbals used for Traumatology and Orthopedics should also be applied in this
manner. In this spirit, we will now examine the art of Chinese Medical Traumatology and
Orthopedics.
Since the scope of this book is concentrated, we will concentrate primarily on the use of
the herbals and acupuncture for Traumatology and Orthopedics.
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Chinese Medical Traumatoloav and Orthopedics
What is Trauma?
Trauma is from:
Accidents
Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Exercise
Physical Therapy
Chiropractic
Acupuncture
Invasive procedures
Dental Work
Falls
Fights
Sports
Burns
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Why Study Traumatology and Orthopedics?
Generally not taught in schools
Pain is the most frequent complaint in the clinic
A new way to look at Rx's and Chinese Medicine
Better treatment plans for Sports Injuries, Pain Management,
Orthopedic problems, Neuro Musculoskeletal Problems
Traumatology and Orthopedics is in stages of healing from initial to intermediate
to resolution. After that the Traumatology and Orthopedics practitioner must
support the patient in further health. Common formulas are also used in
Traumatology and Orthopedics:
Gan Mai Da Zao Wan - is used when people are fearful, depressed, and
can't get over their accident/injury
Curing Pills - when there are damp heat toxins that the internal bleeding
causes, you need to purge them!
Er Chen Wan - is the base of treating old painful injuries! Old injuries have
both phlegm and damp and blood stasis!
Si Jun Zi Tang - Is at the resolution stage when you need to tonify the qi to
have them heal faster!
Liu Jun Zi Tang - Same as in Si Jun Zi Tang - for the resolution stage to
speed up healing, strengthen Sp/St
Jiao Gu Lan - Strengthens Wei Qi to fight pernicious Wind, cold, damp
Yu Ping Feng Wan - For old injuries that arise because the Wei qi is
impaired
Ma Zi Ren Wan - When there is constipation in the initial stage of
trauma, this is a gentle purgative.
Tao Ren Wan - As is this, a gentle purgative to relieve internal blood stasis
Nu Ke Ba Zhen Wan - to build up Qi and blood after trauma/trauma of
childbirth!
Xiao Yao Wan - To relax patients who are freaking out while they are injured
This is only the tip of the iceberg! It is just that many people do not have this
knowledge as they approach herbals from an internal medicine point of
view. Also many medicinals can be combined for a superb effect! In this
manner, we treat a patient with a month - 2 months treatment plan, as
we already know the stages!
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A Long History of Traumatology and Orthopedics in China:
Moxibustion Classic/52 Rx's from Early Han Ma Wang Dui excavation
Acupuncture
Nei Jing
Ling Shu
Nan Jing
Jia Yi Jing
Zhen Jiu Da Cheng
Shang Han Lun/Jin Gui Yao Lue
Zhou Hou Fang
Qian Jin Yao Fang
Various Families: Wang, Su, etc.
Shaolin
Martial Arts Traditions
Famous Rx's passed down from many masters Li Shi Zhen, Sun Si Miao, Ge Hong,
Wang Qing Ren - Yi Lin Gai Cuo
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Some Maxims about Gu Shang Ke:
Pain Management is about functionality, not absence of pain.
Pain is a good thing; tells you to be cautious.
Initial Pain is from Qi and Blood Stagnation; Chronic Pain is mainly from
Wind/Cold/Damp entering tissues due to leakage/seepage of Wei Qi at pain
site
Things that limit Acupuncture and herbals:
1. If surgery is required
2. If the patient is on certain medications - blood thinners, anticoagulants,
neurotransmitters, anti-depressants, NSAIDs, Opiates, other
analgesics
3. Qi and Blood Deficiency
4. Elderly - usually means they are qi/blood deficient, or emaciated
Diagnosis of Traumatology and Orthopedics:
Signs and Symptoms
History
Injury Site
Channels
Pulse
ROM
Orthopedic Testing
X Rays, MRI's, Radiologist's Report of Findings
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Summary view of Strategies and Basic Principles:
Week 1-2
• Move Qi and Stagnant Blood
• Remove Stasis, Relieve swelling
• Clear Heat and Toxins
• Move Blood, Calm Shen
Week 3-6
• Relieve Pain, Regulate Ying
• Engender Flesh, Join Bones
Week 7-8
• Relax Muscles and Tendons, Move Qi Blood in Jing Luo
• Tonify Qi and Blood
• Strengthen Spleen/Stomach
• Tonify Liver/Kidney
Chronic Pain:
• Continue strategies above, plus
• Remove Phlegm
• Remove Blood Stasis
• Clear Wind/Cold/Damp
• Exercises to rehabilitate the body
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