Trauma Swellings in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different trauma swellings patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Trauma swellings are a physical response to injury, characterized by an enlargement or puffiness in the affected area. This condition is a common occurrence in injuries where tissues are damaged, leading to fluid accumulation and swelling.
Synonyms for trauma swellings include injury-induced swelling, traumatic edema, and swollen tissue due to trauma. Such swellings can vary in severity, often accompanied by pain and discomfort, and can significantly impact the affected area's functionality.
TCM Perspective on Trauma Swellings
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views trauma swellings through the lens of energy imbalances and blockages within the body. According to TCM, such swellings are often the result of disrupted Qi (life energy) flow and Blood Stagnation at the injury site.
This perspective sees the swelling as a manifestation of the body's attempt to heal, involving the accumulation of Qi and Blood in the affected area to repair damaged tissues. TCM approaches aim to restore balance and promote the smooth flow of Qi and blood to alleviate swelling and facilitate healing.
In TCM, trauma swellings are primarily attributed to two patterns: Blood Stasis and Qi Stagnation. Blood Stasis refers to the obstruction of blood flow due to injury, leading to symptoms like stabbing pain, dark menstrual clots, and a purplish discoloration of the face or lips.
Qi Stagnation, on the other hand, involves the impairment of Qi movement, often causing pain and swelling at the injury site. These patterns highlight the intricate relationship between Qi and Blood in TCM and their role in trauma response and recovery. Treatment in TCM focuses on resolving these Stagnations to reduce swelling and promote healing.
TCM Patterns for Trauma Swellings
Blood Stasis
Causes: Traumatic swelling
Blood Stagnation
Traumatic swelling
Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Lumps
Herbal Formulas for Trauma Swellings
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address trauma swellings
Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Heat and
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Stagnant Heat in the intestines
- Reduces swelling and disperses lumps
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Transforms Blood Stasis
- Softens lumps
- Reduces fixed abdominal pain
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Di Dang Tang
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Dan Shen Yin
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
- Generates new Blood
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
- Reduces swelling
- Induces ulceration
- Moves the Blood and dispels stasis
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Hai Tong Pi Tang
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Disperses swelling
- Dispels Wind, Dampness and Cold
- Removes Stagnation and relieves pain
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Warms and harmonizes the channels
- Unblocks painful obstruction
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Yu Lin Zhu
Addresses these trauma swellings patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Consolidates the Penetrating and Directing Vessel (Chong Mai, Ren Mai)
- Facilitating pregnancy
- Promotes Blood circulation and regulates menstruation
Addresses These Trauma Swellings Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Traumatic swelling
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...