Common Symptoms
Pain or discomfort in muscles and joints (e.g. neck, back, shoulders, knees), stiffness, reduced range of movement, swelling, or weakness. Pain may be sharp (acute injury) or dull/aching (chronic condition). Some people may also experience numbness or tingling, headaches or migraines, or pain that worsens with movement, prolonged sitting, or physical activity.
Possible Causes
TCM View
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, pain is often due to blockage in the flow of Qi and blood (不通则痛), or when there is lack of nourishment(不荣则痛).
Common patterns include:
- Qi and blood stagnation (气滞血瘀) – Often from injury or overuse
- Wind-cold-damp invasion (风寒湿痹) – External factors causing stiffness and joint pain
- Phlegm and damp accumulation (痰湿阻滞) – Contributing to heaviness and swelling
- Liver and kidney deficiency (肝肾不足) – Leading to weak tendons, bones, and chronic pain
- Qi and blood deficiency (气血不足) – Poor nourishment of muscles and tissues, leading to dull, persistent pain
- Internal imbalances (e.g. liver yang rising肝阳上亢) – Seen in headaches and migraines
Modern View
From a Western medical perspective, pain and injury are typically understood as the result of one or more underlying factors:
- Muscle strain and ligament sprain – Often caused by overuse and poor posture
- Joint degeneration – Conditions such as osteoarthritis
- Disc problems or nerve compression – Issues like a slipped (herniated) disc or sciatica
- Inflammation or soft tissue injury – Conditions such as tendonitis
- Acute trauma – Sudden injuries from sports and falls
- Neurological or vascular factors – Conditions like migraines or tension headaches
How we treat
TCM
Pain relief & circulation
Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cupping, and tuina to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation
Herbal medicine and dietary advice to support recovery and correct underlying imbalances
Western medicine
Medication
Anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, or muscle relaxants
Imaging and diagnostics
Further investigations such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
Injections
Corticosteroid or other targeted injections
Surgical intervention
Joint replacement or repair of acute traumatic injuries
Wellness
Lifestyle & prevention
Rehab
Rehabilitation & function
Physiotherapy, stretching, and strengthening exercises to restore movement and prevent recurrence