The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Pain relieved with massage can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like pain relieved with massage here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here pain relieved with massage is often associated with scanty periods, sore back and dizziness in the pattern “Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause pain relieved with massage.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of pain relieved with massage we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat pain relieved with massage.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause pain relieved with massage
In Chinese Medicine pain relieved with massage is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to pain relieved with massage, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency include scanty periods, sore back and dizziness.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps.
Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency is often treated with Tiao Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Tiao Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to pain relieved with massage, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include scanty periods, lower abdominal pain and sore back.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
Three herbal formulas that might help with pain relieved with massage
Gui Shao Di Huang Tang
Why might Gui Shao Di Huang Tang help with pain relieved with massage?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which pain relieved with massage is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Sheng Yu Tang
Source date: 1336 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Preserves the Blood.
Why might Sheng Yu Tang help with pain relieved with massage?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which pain relieved with massage is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with pain relieved with massage?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which pain relieved with massage is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat pain relieved with massage
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with pain relieved with massage?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pain relieved with massage as a symptom, like Gui Shao Di Huang Tang or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with pain relieved with massage?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pain relieved with massage as a symptom, like Tiao Gan Tang or Sheng Yu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with pain relieved with massage?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pain relieved with massage as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Gui Shao Di Huang Tang for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with pain relieved with massage?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pain relieved with massage as a symptom, like Gui Shao Di Huang Tang or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with pain relieved with massage?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pain relieved with massage as a symptom, like Sheng Yu Tang or Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Conditions associated with pain relieved with massage
Other symptoms often associated with pain relieved with massage
Scanty periods Lower abdominal pain Sore back Dizziness Dark clots in menstrual blood Dark menstrual blood Restlessness Pale face Feeling of heat Sore and weak limbs