Chinese Remedies for Muscle Pains

In traditional Chinese medicine, some of the causes of pain, especially back pain, include trauma, overwork and exposure to wind, cold, dampness and heat. There are several herbs designed to treat these ills. Other herbs are useful for bruising, sprains, scrapes and stopping bleeding. For more serious ailments, a trip to an herbalist is recommended to ensure a remedy that is best for the individual.

Back Pain

• One useful herb is dipsacus, which is often used for pain in the lower back, stiffness and weakness in the lower back from kidneys that aren't functioning properly, according to Andrew Gaeddert in Acupuncture Today. This herb also aids blood circulation and can be used internally or topically. Practitioners often use it with another herb, eucommia, which targets back pains thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect.
  There are, however, other herbs to use, Gaeddert says. Try psoralea and cibotium. Psoralea increases the energy of the kidneys and helps treat a painful and "cold" lower back. Cibotium is used for back weakness, expelling wind and dampness.
  You should also incorporate blood-circulating herbs when treating back pain. Myrrh is one of the main herbs for this. It is often used for pain associated with trauma.

Trauma, Accident Pains

• Herbs often used for pain from trauma include some commercial forms of herbs, including xiao huo luo dan, which comes in pill form, tian qi jiu, a first aid antiseptic, and zheng gu shui, a liniment. According to Robert Chu, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, these are all good for minor injuries. Xiao huo luo dan is used mostly for backaches, muscle strains and broken bones.
  Use tian qi jiu for bruises by rubbing it onto the bruised area. Another liniment for bruises, strains and minor fractures of fingers or toes is zheng gu shui. Don't use this on the face because it can irritate eyes, Chu cautions.
  Try bai hua yu for stiff muscles and strains associated with doing too much, Chu says. He said he refers t this herb as "Chinese Ben Gay." You can also try Yunnan bai yao, a powder that stops bleeding and should be used for minor cuts and scrapes. This herb also helps reduce scars.
  Use carthamus, or safflower, as a topical aid for injuries. It can also be taken internally. Gaeddert recommends this herb for sprain, bleeding and swelling. It is commonly taken in tea and tablet form.
  Chu recommends visiting a Chinese herbalist in person for more serious ailments, as you will need an herbal remedy tailored just to you.

Acupuncture

• This has been used for years to relieve pain. Needles are inserted into the skin in certain spots to improve energy flow. It is often used to relieve headache and back pain but also works on arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and musculoskeletal injuries.

Prevention

• Using good posture while sitting, standing, lying down, lifting items or exercising is the best way to prevent back problems and pain. When exercising, stretch to prevent strains. Try strength training to make your back, legs and arms stronger. This will also help relieve pain. Losing weight from the abdomen will put less strain on the lower back.