August 2017

Traditional Chinese Medicine Explanation of Pain – Part 1

Holistic Horsekeeping
How to have a healthy happy horse.
Volume 22, Number 8

 

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In This Issue:

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine Explanation of Pain – Part 1
2. Equine Holistic Resources Just a Click Away

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1. Traditional Chinese Medicine Explanation of Pain – Part 1
Ever wonder why the miracle product that works on so many horses does not do a thing for your horse? Or why the wonder cure you found and shared with all your friends did not help their horses one little bit. The reason is not all pain is the same. Western Medicine tends to lump all pain symptoms together and treat them the same. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) divides types of pain into 5 types and treats each type quite differently.

According to TCM, except for acute injury, all pain is the result of an underlying weakness in the immune system. A healthy body should have an abundance of defensive Qi (Wei Qi) circulating through the meridians to protect against external pathogens such as Wind, Cold and Damp. Qi represents the life force of the body and meridians are the pathways through which this energy flows. TCM looks at pathogens like Wind, Cold, Heat, and Damp where Western Medicine looks at viruses, bacteria and parasites. Anyone who has experienced the achy joints and muscles with the flu, a sinus headache or Lyme’s disease understands how viruses, bacteria and parasites can cause pain.

Pain in TCM is referred to as Bi Syndrome. Bi means obstruction in the meridians caused by the invasion of Wind, Cold and Damp. Bi syndrome may show as pain, soreness, numbness, or swelling of the joints, bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Western Medicine would label these conditions as rheumatism, arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, sciatica, etc.

The 5 types of pain according to TCM are Wandering Bi (Wind), Painful Bi (Cold), Fixed Bi (Damp), Febrile Bi (Heat) and Bony Bi (long standing Damp).

Wandering Bi acts like wind with rapid onset of pain that moves around in the body. The soreness and pain can be in the joints or muscles and movement will be limited. Western Medicine would look at this type of pain as fibromyalgia or sciatica. This is the horse that is off but for no apparent reason. Lameness exams can be frustrating in that flexion tests and blocking will not identify the area of pain.

Painful Bi acts like cold with contraction and congealing. The pain is severe and stabbing in nature. It can be in the muscles or joints with limited movement and coldness of the tissues. Bursitis and early stage arthritis would fit the Western Medicine model. This is the horse that starts out very lame and then moves better as he warms up. Flexion tests and joint blocks may identify the area of pain but little will show up on radiographs or ultrasound.

Fixed Bi acts like damp with edema, numbness and stiffness more than pain. Wet weather will aggravate symptoms. Western Medicine would call this type pain rheumatism. Stocking up in the legs would also be a characteristic of Fixed Bi. This horse will have sound days and lame days depending on the weather. The area of concern may be obvious due to swelling but other times no outward symptoms are seen.

Febrile Bi acts like fire with rapid onset of redness, swelling and severe pain. The pain can be in more than one area and movement will be very restricted. Pressure will increase the pain and the patient may be irritable. Joint infections fit into category of Febrile Bi. Joint infections can occur from tiny punctures that don’t show up as a wound. If you suspect a joint infection call your vet immediately. Hoof abscesses are another example of Febrile Bi. They are less of an emergency but still require immediate attention to relieve suffering.

Bony Bi is the result of long term invasion of Wind, Cold and Damp. You will see muscle atrophy, joint deformity and joint degeneration. Osteoarthritis is the Western equivalent of Bony Bi. Bony Bi will show up on radiographs but at this stage the condition is very difficult to treat.

Types of TCM Pain:
Wandering Bi (Wind)
Painful Bi (Cold)
Fixed Bi (Damp)
Febrile Bi (Heat)
Bony Bi

About Treatment
Treatment and prevention for all Bi syndromes should begin with a strengthening of the Wei Qi. Overall health and nutrition should be examined. Nutritional products such as Citrus C/Q, Bleeder’s Blend, PrePro and this AFA powdered algae blend will support the Lungs (Wandering Bi), Spleen (Fixed Bi) and kidneys (Painful Bi). General supportive acupressure points include, LI 11, GV 14, SP 6, ST 36 BL 11 and GB 39.

Treatment for individual Bi syndromes will be discussed next month in our September newsletter. For further information about acupressure points visit http://www.animalacupressure.com.

 

2. Equine Holistic Resources Just a Click Away
Has this ever happened to you? You are out at the barn and realize you are getting low on a particular supplement for your horse, but by the time you finish your chores and get back to the house and your computer you get busy with other things and totally forget to order it. Now, if you have your SmartPhone or tablet with you at the barn, you can avoid this with just a few simple clicks. Holistic Horsekeeping has a totally mobile friendly site that allows you to easily order while it’s fresh in your mind. Supplements, books, educational materials, consults and more are available on your mobile devices at holistichorsekeeping.com.

 

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