Fracture and Post Fracture Support: Understanding Western Biomedical Approach and Chinese Medical Theory.
(Organ names in Chinese medicine differ from Western medicine’s understanding).
Fractures are common injuries that can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, or occupation. A fracture is a medical condition that occurs when a bone is broken or cracked, and it requires immediate medical attention. The western biomedical approach to the management of a fracture involves a range of treatment options that depend on the severity of the injury. Generally, a doctor will conduct a physical examination, order X-rays, and then recommend an appropriate course of action based on the severity of the fracture.
In the case of minor fractures, the doctor may recommend immobilization with a cast or brace, pain relief medication, and rest. For more severe fractures, surgery may be necessary to realign the broken bone and stabilize it with metal plates, screws, or rods. After surgery or immobilization, physical therapy is often recommended to help restore mobility, strength, and range of motion to the affected area.
Chinese medicine may be utilised for the healing phase after all the emergency western medical process and management has been put into place. Chinese medical theory works in assisting the bone to mend more effectively as it aims to strengthen the body, circulate the blood to the affected area and manage the pain during the healing phase and later again during the rehabilitative stage alongside occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
From a chinese medicine theoretical point of view fracture is seen as a blockage of the flow of Qi and Blood in the affected area. Chinese medicine practitioners believe that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, but sometimes the healing process needs to be facilitated. The management of fractures in Chinese medicine involves a combination of approaches, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage (much later in the rehabilitative process), and dietary therapy.
Chinese traumatology theory is a comprehensive approach to the treatment of bone fractures, which is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Bone fractures are classified according to their location, severity, and underlying causes. Trauma to the bones can cause stagnation of Qi and blood, leading to pain, swelling, and inflammation.
TCM treatment of bone fractures involves promoting the circulation of Qi and blood to the affected area, to aid in the healing process. Acupuncture stimulates the flow of Qi, while herbal medicine nourishes the blood and promotes bone growth. TCM treatment also addresses underlying weaknesses in the body, including zang fu theory and Qi blood deficiency.
Herbal medicinals for bone fractures pain and management may include such herbs as Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) and Ru Xiang (Boswellia carterii), which promote circulation and reduce inflammation. Acupuncture points such as GB34 (Yanglingquan) and SP10 (Xuehai) can be used to promote Qi and blood flow to the affected area. of course these exaples are so minimal in the big picture of the process. These herbs may not even account for a 10th of the possible herbal choice and the mentioned acupuncture points may only be used in some cases. Herbs and aupoints vary greatly as they are condition specific and hence require your registered practitioner of Chinese Medicine to diagnose the underlying patterns and condition on its own merit and consider the western biological state of the condition, patients constitution, current medications the patient may be on and more.
TCM channel theory also plays a vital role in the management of fractures. Channels are pathways that connect the internal organs to the surface of the body. They are responsible for the flow of Qi and Blood, and when there is a blockage, it can lead to pain and disease. TCM channel theory involves the use of acupuncture and herbal medicine to restore the flow of Qi and Blood in the affected area and promote healing.
Qi and Blood are central concepts in Chinese medical theory. Qi is the vital energy that flows through the body, and Blood is the substance that nourishes the (TCM) organs and tissues. A fracture can disrupt the flow of Qi and Blood, leading to pain, swelling, and other symptoms. TCM treatment involves the use of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy to promote the flow of Qi and Blood and facilitate the healing process.
In conclusion, while Western medicine and Chinese medical theory have different approaches to the management of fractures, a complementary approach that incorporates both can provide optimal outcomes. The Western biomedical approach focuses on the physical repair of the fracture, while the Chinese medical theory emphasizes the restoration of the flow of Qi and Blood in the affected area. By combining both approaches, patients can receive the benefits of both schools of thought, may leading to a faster and more effective recovery.
References:
Wong, K. K. K., Chan, K. B., Low, W. Y., & Chua, H. T. (2020). Fracture healing: Mechanisms and interventions. The international journal of molecular sciences, 21(17), 6558. doi: 10.3390/ijms21176558
Dong, Y. M., Wu, T., Hu, J. L., Liu, J. P., Tong, P. J., & Wen, Q. B. (2016). Analysis of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with fractures. Chinese journal of integrative medicine, 22(5), 375-381. doi: 10.1007/s11655-015-2213-6
Zhang, B. B., Chen, Y., Zhang, Q. Y., Wang, X. Q., & Jin, L. (2019). The mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating bone fracture. Chinese medicine, 14(1), 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s13020-019-0221-4
Guo, J., Chen, Y., & Wang, Y. (2020). Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Management of Fracture Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020, 1-13. doi: 10.1155/2020/9610735
Cheng, Y., Liu, H. J., Li, L., Zhou, X. X., Li, J. F., Yang, Q., … & Wang, Y. M. (2020). Effect of Guizhi Fuling Capsule combined with rehabilitation training on fracture healing in elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: A randomized controlled trial. Chinese journal of integrative medicine, 26(8), 572-578. doi: 10.1007/s11655-019-3239-5
Zhang, L., Wang, T., Wang, X., Gou, X., & Zhang, Z. (2016). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for the external treatment of bone fractures. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 194, 450-460. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.09.032
Lu, W., Li, Y., & Fu, J. (2018). The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with bone fracture pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, 1-11. doi: 10.1155/2018/5076845 Study [6 and 7] indicate that Chinese medicine herbs and acupuncture can be effective in the treatment of bone fractures, and can help to reduce pain, inflammation, and healing time.
Registered practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine