We are seeing an increasing number of patients who are struggling with hair loss in the clinic. Chinese Medicine has been treating hair loss in men and women for thousands of years. It can help stop or slow further hair loss and also support regrowth.

Chinese Medicine View of Hair Loss

In Chinese Medicine, healthy hair is dependent on abundant flow of blood and Qi. It is said in the old Chinese texts that hair is the surplus of Blood. When there is a deficiency of either Qi or Blood (more often blood) or stagnation of Qi or Blood, the hair follicles aren’t able to receive the nourishment they need to grow healthy hair. Typically, blood and Qi deficiencies are caused by poor diet or digestive issues which prevent proper absorption of nutrients. Qi and Blood stagnation are often caused by stress or hormone imbalances (very common in perimenopause).

📸 : @steinportraits

Acupuncture improves the flow of Qi and Blood to the scalp and body to improve hair growth. Chinese herbs are often used to nourish the blood and Qi to prevent excess hair shedding. We usually recommend both herbs and acupuncture as well as nutritional and lifestyle modifications.

Top Recommendations for Hair Loss

1. Get Regular Acupuncture – acupuncture nourishes the Qi and Blood and increases Qi and Blood flow to the scalp to stimulates hair regrowth.
2. Get plenty of sleep – sleep is the time when yin and blood are most nourished in Chinese Medicine. Any issues of insomnia or poor sleep can ultimately cause more deficiency of blood and yin which affects hair. Focus on good sleep hygiene to allow for better rest.
3. Check for deficiencies of vitamins and thyroid irregularities – simple bloodwork with your doctor can rule out medical reasons for the hair loss. Hormonal changes, anemia (low iron), low B12 are all common causes for hair loss, especially found in vegetarians or vegans. Biotin (vitamin B7) is found in protein rich foods like organ meats, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and certain vegetables (such as sweet potatoes). High doses of biotin can affect thyroid numbers on labwork so be sure to talk with your doctor if you want to supplement with biotin. Be sure to eat enough foods rich in Omega -3 like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds as well. Silica can also
4. Take Herbs Daily – there are a number of herbs and classic herbal formulas that have been used in Chinese Medicine for centuries to prevent hair loss.
   • • • He Shou Wu (Polygonium Multiflorum) – this herb, also known as Fo-Ti, is translated from Chinese to English as “The Black Haired Mr. He” meaning it prevents premature gray hair. It is used as a blood tonic and is recommended for almost everyone experiencing hair loss, no matter the reason.
       • Qi Bao Mei Ran Wan – this traditional Chinese Medicine formula is a wonderful blend of herbs for supporting the hair.  It’s translation is “Seven Treasures for Beautiful Hair”. This formula is not a quick fix as it takes a while to build up your blood. Plan to commit to at least 3 months of this herb in order to really see the benefits. One bottle should last 7-10 days taken 3x/day.
       • Texas Medicinals Herbal Iron Syrup – this iron-rich syrup is formulated with mineralizing herbs to support the body (see the recommended teas below).
       • Floradix Iron + Herbs – This liquid iron supplement is easy on the stomach and full of mineral rich herbs to boost iron levels. It is easy to find at grocery stores in town or go to my online pharmacy to order.
       • Yina Lumidrops Collagen Gummies – these gummies contain Chinese herbs to support the kidneys and liver with vitamin C, lycopene, biotin, and free-range, grass-fed bovine collagen to help strengthen hair, improve skin elasticity, and promote energy.
         

         Pearl powder by Root and Bones

       • Pearl Powder by Root and Bones – pearl powder promotes healthy, glowing skin, and accelerate cell regeneration. It is rich in calcium, zinc, amino acids and antioxidants like glutathione and SOD. It supports healthy collagen production and defends against oxidative stress.
       • Marine Collagen by Root and Bones – this ultra-absorbable blend of Type I, II, III & IV collagen is sourced from wild-caught deep-sea fish (cod, pollock, haddock) for maximum potency and bioavailability. Rich in amino acids that support skin elasticity, joint health, and connective tissue regeneration. 

         It also contains pearl powder, tremella mushroom extract and bamboo silica.  Pearl powder is a natural source of calcium, magnesium, and over 30 trace minerals. Tremella mushroom extract hydrates the skin and support elasticity. Bamboo silica encourages collagen synthesis and promotes strong, healthy hair growth.

5. Do scalp massages regularly with hair oil – a daily scalp massage helps stimulate the scalp to encourage hair regrowth. I love using my gua sha tool (with the comb side). Gently wiggle it back and forth over the scalp for 5 minute in the morning and evening. For even better results, massage oil into scalp and then brush it through your hair. Leave it overnight (protect your linen because the herbs will easily stain sheets!) or at least 4 hours. Use 1x/week. My favorite hair oils are:
   

   Using the scalp oil on hair. 📸: @thefullonmonet

   • • • Banyan Botanical Hair Oil – this oil contains sesame seed oil, coconut oil with ayurvedic herbs like bhringaraj (known as the “King Of Hair”, cabbage rose flower, hibiscus, gotu kola, and amla fruit. Massage oil into scalp and then brush it through your hair. Leave it overnight (protect linen because the herbs will stain sheets) or at least 4 hours. Use 1x/week. 
       •  Banyan Hair Serum – this serum combines lightweight oils with rosemary and lavender for more frequent use than the hair oil above. Use daily to promote healthy hair growth, nourish the scalp, and lock in moisture.
       • Manetain Ayurvedic Hair Oil –  this wonderful hair oil is made by a local herbalist. It contains bhringaraj and amalaki as well as nettle and oat straw. Similar to other hair oils, it’s best as a once a week treatment.
       • Hair Therapy Oil – this oil is made by Jamila at her nearby salon, Jamila’s Salon. She doesn’t do online sales anymore but you can contact her to pick up.
6. Drink herbal teas regularly to nourish blood – teas can supplement the diet with added minerals to nourish the blood.
   • • • Nettle tea – contains essential minerals like zinc, magnesium, iron, and silica which are helpful for follicle health and keratin production. Nettle also contains vitamins A, C, and K, antioxidants and fatty acids to strengthen hair. Steep nettle for 10 minutes to extract the minerals.
       • Red raspberry leaf tea – not for use when pregnant or breastfeeding. It contains antioxidants like vitamin A and  vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium to strengthen hair follicles and prevent damage.
7. Add more fruit, berries, and seeds to your diet 
   • • • Goji Berries and Mulberries – tonifies the liver and kidneys in Chinese Medicine and nourishes blood. Also helps with dry eyes and eye health.
         

         Dried mulberries 📸: Antoni Shkraba Studio

       • Apple, apricot, avocado, date, fig, grape, and longan – these fruits are all helpful to nourish blood in TCM.
       • Sesame seeds, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds – these seeds provide zinc, magnesium, and fatty acids to aid in healthy hormone production.
8.  Try microneedling – microneedling can help with hair loss by stimulating follicles. It also increases absorption of skincare products by 2000%. Because of this increased absorption,  herbal topicals for hair growth that contain Chinese herbs like He Shou Wu and apple stem cells are even more effective after the microneedling. Schedule an acupuncture + add on microneedling session for hair loss if you are curious to try it out.

There are many ways to address hair loss from both an external and internal perspective through the lens of Chinese Medicine. Obviously, everyone is unique and will not require all of these suggestions above. If you would like to schedule a consultation to receive more specifics, please schedule an acupuncture consultation.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. We may get a small commission when you purchase them. The cool thing? It doesn’t cost you a penny and supports our business as well as the small businesses that we use ourselves and love! 

What is facial cupping?

Facial cupping is a type of Eastern Medicine therapy in which small silicone cups are attached to the surface of the face to create a gentle suction with continuous movement. Unlike body cupping, there are no cupping marks left behind. In the eye area, the eye tissue is too delicate for sliding cupping so we use a technique called octopus kisses in which we apply suction to the cup for a second and then release the suction. Then move the cup to another area nearby and repeat. Both of these techniques are subtle and should not leave any marks like body cupping.

What are the benefits of facial cupping?

Facial cupping has many amazing benefits but here are a few that will encourage you to get your own facial cupping set today!

1. Increases blood flow and circulation –  cupping immediately increases blood flow creating a glow to the skin and also promotes the formation of new blood vessels which deliver more nutrients to the skin.
2. Boosts collagen production – cupping stimulates collagen and fibroblasts which helps improve skin elasticity for firmer skin.
3. Relieves muscle tension – many people do not realize how much tension we carry in our faces, especially in the jaw and the temple areas. Cupping can help relieve tension headaches and TMJ pain.
4. Supports lymph function/reduces puffiness – the suction from the cups encourages and stimulates the lymphatic system to move fluid through the body thereby reducing excess fluid and puffiness. This naturally creates more definition in the cheekbones and jawline.

Where do I get a facial cupping set?

Schedule a session for facial cupping to experience a treatment and buy your own facial cupping set before you leave the office or click here to order online from The Facial Cupping Expert store where I was trained and certified.

There are so many types of facial cups on the market these days. I have a whole drawer full of ones I have tried 😝

I have finally found my favorite ones from @thefacialcuppingexpert. They are soft and super flexible. The flexibility means that when I squeeze them, my hands don’t have to work very hard. For anyone, like me, who uses their hands all day or has any kind of arthritis, these are the ones to use.

They are also non-toxic and odorless – contain no BPA, latex, lead, or phthalates. The skin is our largest and most permeable organ so we want to keep our tools as clean as possible – just like our skincare!

How do I use these Facial Cups?

I usually spend some time going over some basic techniques during your first facial cupping treatment so you can do your own treatments at home (which I highly recommend!). But it is still nice to have a little bit of a routine written down for you to reference so that you feel more confident in your techniques. After all, the benefits of facial cupping are compounded over time!

But first, a few basic rules:

1.  Always use oil – oil helps the cups glide and will prevent marks/bruises.
2. Always keep the cups moving – again, this will prevent too strong of suction which causes marks/bruises.
3. Less is more – aim to do facial cupping ~3x/week. I know people get excited for results and want to do it everyday but your skin needs time to recover, especially as we age. For people like me who struggle to get to bed at a decent time already, I often focus on one small area (just eyes or chin) a few times a week and then do a full face routine maybe 3x/month. Not ideal but life is full!
4. Always clean your cups after every use – using warm water and soap will clean the cups without damaging them with harsh abrasives. You may need a little pipe cleaner brush or a Q tip to clean the tiny cup.
5. Do not cup over areas of inflammation/redness – this means irritated or red skin, broken blood vessels, sunburn, cystic acne, breakouts, sunburn, open wounds, itchy rashes, etc.

Ok, now for the basic routine:

1. Prepare the skin – after cleaning the face, neck and chest, apply a generous amount of facial oil to the face, neck and chest. There are so many wonderful oils to use so I encourage you to experiment to see which one you prefer. I will write another blog post on oils (I am always trying new ones!) but in my clinic, I mainly use these 3 oils:
   • • Prickly Pear Oil – it’s simple, pure and is exceptionally rich in unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, to benefit all skin types.
     • TOMA Sculpting Treatment Oil – this oil is rich in fatty acids to hydrate and calm the skin thanks to this powerhouse blend of grapeseed oil, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil, jojoba oil, and tamanu oil.
     • Apothecary Company CoQ10 + Jasmine Intense Hydration Facial Oil – this ultra-hydrating botanical oil is infused with powerful antioxidants and the delicate scent of jasmine and rose essential oils.
2. Start with lymphatic drainage – With the large cup, do flash cupping (flash cupping = creating suction on a spot and then immediately releasing it, also called “octopus kisses”) on the sternum 3x, then down the neck, repeating 3x on each side, followed by under the chin, repeating 3x.
3. Begin sculpting and lifting on the lower face – With the large cup, do sliding cupping (sliding cupping = creating the suction and then sliding from one point to another) under the jawbone from the chin to the ear, repeat 3x, then from the corner of the mouth to the ear, repeat 3x, then from the cheekbone to the ear, repeat 3x. Repeat on the other side. Do flash cupping in the area of the crow’s feet, repeat 3x on each side.
4. Continue sculpting and lifting on the forehead – Using the large cup, do sliding cupping from the eyebrow lines (or the “11’s”) up to the top of the forehead, repeat along the entire forehead 3x (or less if redness occurs). Do sliding cupping with the smaller cup over the eyebrow lines (essentially tracing the wrinkles).
5. Lift and open the eyes – With the small cup, do flash cupping (“octopus kisses”) along the orbital bone (the bone under the eye/top of cheekbone) from the inside of the eye to the outside of each eye, repeat 3x. Continue the flash cupping underneath the brow bone from the inside to the outside of the eye, repeat 3x on each side. Be careful in this area, the skin here is very delicate but it is especially helpful for a dropping eyelid.
6. Plump the lips – With the small cup, do the octopus kisses around the lips 3x and then repeat with sliding cupping around and even on the lips. Be sure to apply more oil if needed.
7. Focus on fine lines and wrinkles – Do flash cupping followed by sliding cupping over any areas of deep wrinkles or lines such as laugh lines or worry lines on the forehead or from the nose to the mouth). Be careful not to overwork an area – a little goes a long way.
8. Finish with lymph drainage – Because this routine moves fluid from the face, finish with a few strokes to assist the lymph system. Using the large cup, do flash cupping under the chin 3x and on the sternum 3x. I love finishing with a jade roller or a hydrating mist

I hope you enjoy this relaxing nighttime ritual!

If you are still curious about cupping, schedule a combination session of Acupuncture + Facial Cupping or book your AcuGlow™️ treatment today!

Holistic microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive procedure that involves a small pen with 12 tiny, sterile needles passed over the skin to create micro-injuries in the skin’s surface to treat fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars. With minimal downtime and a series of sessions only needing to be performed once per month, this is the perfect natural, non-toxic treatment for busy people.

Microneedling helps to promote collagen growth to improve skin texture and enhances the absorption of skincare products up to 2000%, which is why clean products are crucial with this procedure. It can also promote hair growth on the scalp and reduce acne scars on the face.

A holistic microneedling treatment includes body acupuncture to address the root cause of your concerns and provide an extra level of relaxation.

Recommended Frequency:

Depending on your goals, microneedling works best in 3-6 sessions for lasting results. Each follow up session is scheduled 4-6 weeks apart. For maintenance, schedule tune up visits every 6 months or other issues can be addressed with another series of treatments.

Aftercare:

• Redness occurs for 8-12 hours after a treatment – 100% pure aloe vera can help reduce the redness.
• No exercise the day of the treatment as sweating can irritate the face.
• No make up the day of the treatment
• Avoid sun – use mineral sunscreen for a week post-microneedling
• Wash face with only warm water (no products)
• Go back to regular facial routine the day after the treatment.
• Avoid retinol, vitamin C serums, glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) for at least a week after treatment.

We do not recommend microneedling if you currently:

• Have had a facelift, filler, or botox injections within the past 6 months
• Have used retinol, vitamin C serums, glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) within the past week.
• Take blood thinners
• Receive chemotherapy or radiation
• Have moderate to severe skin conditions (psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, active infection, warts, active herpes outbreak)
• Have keloids
• Are pregnant

As the temperatures hit over 100* this week, it’s important to stay hydrated so our body’s systems work optimally. Everyone knows the importance of drinking plenty of water during the summer.  We often forget how food can affect our hydration levels too.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods are typically found in humid, hot climates of the world. The capsaicin in chili peppers causes us to sweat, thereby lowering our core body temperature. This can be helpful at times but too much spicy food can actually cause dehydration because it actually warms up our body first and then cools, depleting our yin, or fluids in the body. Eat spicy foods in moderation during the summer and increase foods that are more hydrating to preserve your body fluids.

Hydrating and Cooling Foods

Foods that are more cooling in nature provide the body with moisture to hydrate the body to keep the body temperature lower. Most people inherently reach for herbs like mint, basil, and dill in the summer which are more cooling in nature. Foods like pineapple, watermelon, and raspberries are also more hydrating.  Adding cucumber to water or having hibiscus mint tea are wonderful and refreshing ways to stay hydrated. Other foods to include this summer are leafy greens, avocados, celery, jicama, radishes, daikon, tomatoes, berries and figs.

One of my favorite summer salads is this Jicama, Radish, and Pepita Salad. If you are one of those cilantro haters (so sad!), you can replace the cilantro with mint and/or basil and it’s still delicious!

Electrolytes

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals in your body that carry a negative charge which helps balance water and fluids in your body. If you have ever had muscle cramps, your doctor may have recommended some potassium. I recommend magnesium to everyone for muscle cramps and tightness. These are examples of common electrolytes.

Electrolyte drinks

Electrolyte drinks like Gatorade that are easy to drink to replenish minerals loss from sweating. They can be very helpful in the summer. As we age, it’s also difficult to stay hydrated so if you don’t use electrolytes regularly, summer may be a good time to try. Unfortunately, electrolytes can be full of sugar (or lately stevia or other types of sweeteners) so be careful if you have glucose issues. Coconut water can also be a very good natural electrolyte or you can make your own using coconut water. I have tried a lot of different electrolytes and prefer these Keto drops without any sugar or sweeteners. I also love the electrolytes from Pique Life which does contain monkfruit as a sweetener but it’s light and citrusy without the stevia aftertaste. It’s marketed as a beauty tonic but I like the tiny, individual packages that I can bring with me when traveling or anywhere on the go.

May you stay cool and hydrated this summer! ☀️💦

Celery Juice

Nearly 70 percent of the fresh produce sold in the US contains residues of potentially harmful chemical pesticides. Many of these pesticides remain on the fruits and vegetables even after being washed and peeled. To avoid these pesticides, people are choosing organic produce. Unfortunately, many of us cannot afford to pay the high prices of organic fruits and vegetables for all of our needs.

Thankfully, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) makes it easy for us to decide when to buy organic and when to choose conventional fruits and vegetables. Every year, they make a Shopper’s Guide based on tests by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  It provides us with a way to reduce our exposure to pesticides while staying within our budget. The Clean Fifteen is a list of 15 fruits and vegetables that contain the fewest concentrations of pesticides while the Dirty Dozen is a list of 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the highest concentration of pesticides.

We can then choose organically grown produce where the pesticides are high (the Dirty Dozen) and choose conventionally grown produce where the pesticides tend to be low (the Clean Fifteen). So save money for a house like Tim Gurner suggests by buying those cheaper conventional avocados for your avocado smash toast!

The Clean Fifteen and the Dirty Dozen Lists from 2020

The Dirty Dozen

Photo by: Caleb Oquendo

From Kung Fu Medicine to Chinese Sports Medicine

Injury recovery has been a part of Chinese Medicine since the beginning of martial arts. Teachers with amazing fighting skills were also the very same teachers who had abilities to heal the sick and injured. Kung Fu Medicine evolved into Chinese Sports Medicine which combined acupuncture, herbs, moxabustion, massage, exercise and nutrition. Using the right treatment at the right time makes all the difference and plays a crucial role in preventing a minor injury from becoming a chronic injury. In order to understand the timing of the treatments, one must understand the stages of an injury.

The Three Stages of Injury

Stage 1

This stage starts at the moment of injury and generally last 1-7 days. There will be a combination of symptoms including swelling, bruising, inflammation and/or pain. Sometimes this stage only lasts a few days but for some, it can last for an entire week.

Stage 2

This stage starts within a week after the injury and can last up to 3 weeks. The swelling begins to settle, the heat and inflammation is greatly reduced, and the pain is improving. Stiffness and soreness increases. Symptoms often shift a lot during this time as inflammation comes and goes. The pain and stiffness fluctuates from day to day.

Stage 3

This stage starts around 3-4 weeks after the injury. The swelling and inflammation have dissipated but the stiffness and soreness increases. There is restricted range of motion. Ligaments and tendons take much longer to heal than muscles due to their limited blood supply. They make take up to 6-8 weeks to heal completely. In more severe sprains, it may take even longer. This is also the stage where injuries can linger and become chronic. The pain may continue to come and go with occasional swelling and inflammation.

Treatment Plans for the Three Stages of Injury

Stage 1

This is the only time that we recommend ice in Chinese Medicine. As the saying goes, “Ice is for dead people”. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s important to maintain blood flow and circulation, especially in ligaments and tendons that have less blood supply than muscles. Using ice beyond the initial 24 hours of injury will further impede blood flow and cause the blood to stagnate. The lack of blood flow will further slow down the muscle recovery. The influx of blood brings the necessary white blood cells to heal the tissue. If ice is necessary due to high pain levels, alternate the ice with heat to continue supplying the injury with blood. It is a balancing act to reduce the pain by reducing inflammation while still keep the blood flow moving. There are acupuncture points to reduce heat and inflammation as well as herbs to use topically to clear heat without blocking the blood flow and reduce pain levels. NSAIDs can be a great tool to reduce inflammation but they are also known to interfere with muscle recovery.

Stage 2

During this stage, treatments can be more localized, focusing more on the site of injury instead of the area around it. As I mentioned previously, this stage brings a wide variation so the treatment plan may vary from week to week. On the days where inflammation is high, the focus is on reducing the swelling, heat, and inflammation. As the stiffness settles in, the treatment plan will include points to increase blood flow. This is also the time to use moxibustion as well as topicals which have more herbs to increase the circulation.

Stage 3

Treatment for this stage is focused on increasing poor local circulation and tonifying Qi and blood to aid in recovery. Wind, damp, and cold are elements in Chinese Medicine that can exacerbate symptoms and prevent proper healing. Applying topicals are still important during this phase but it may be more important to use internal herbs to address more systemic blood flow and nourishment to the connective tissue.

Topicals to use for Each Stage

Stage 1

A famous kung fu teacher known as “Magic Hands”, Hsu Hong-chi was treating an ankle sprain when his student Tom Bisio suggested using ice to help reduce the swelling. He responded with the statement, “Ice is for dead people.” *This story is taken from a wonderful book called A Tooth from the Tiger’s Mouth by Tom Bisio*. In Chinese Medicine, ice is used in the first 24 hours of an injury but after that, heat is preferred to increase blood flow and healing.

• One of the best herbal formulas to use during Stage 1 after the first 24 hrs is a topical called “Herbal Ice”, or San Huang San. Here are a few brands that I recommend:
  • Nourishing Roots Apothecary Hot Red Relief Rub
  • Herbal Ice (San Huang San Gao) – Tooth from the Tiger’s Mouth

• There is also a classic trauma liniment called Die Da Jiu, also known as Dit Da Jow, that has been used for centuries in martial arts. It is translated as “fall and hit wine” even though this wine is for external use only, never internally. It is a classic formula to strengthen sinews and relieves pain in muscles & joints. It’s great for aches and pains but especially good for any injury to muscles, joints, and bones. Liniments are easy to use by just applying directly onto the injured area. They are cleaner than a more oil based topical because they evaporate quickly due to the alcohol. The disadvantage of the evaporation is that they need to be applied often to be effective. There are many variations of this topical that I use in my clinic and at home:
  • Blue Poppy Shaolin Dee Dat Jow Liniment
  • Nourishing Roots Apothecary Dit Da Jow 
  • Zheng Gu Shui 
  • Saints Apothecary Evil Bone Water 
• White Flower Oil is a combination of essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, menthol, wintergreen, peppermint and camphor to help relieve pain and inflammation.

Stage 2

Treatment can be stronger and more direct. Applying wet heat, like hydrocollator packs and hot towels, and herbals soaks are now recommended to move stagnation in the tissues to help increase range of motion and movement. Herbal soaks are made by cooking herbs in a pot of water and placing the injured body part in the liquid after the herbs are removed. If the soft tissue injury is not an extremity, soak towels in the herbal soak and place or wrap the injured area.

• My favorite herbal soak, created by one of my brilliant former professors, is available by prescription at AOMA herbal pharmacy. It is based on the formula Hai Tong Pi Tang. Please reach out to me for more information!
• Dr. Bob’s Medicated Oil by Blue Poppy. This potent topical is a variation of the classic marital arts formula called Po Sum On. It’s a well-balanced massage oil to increase circulation, warm the muscles, and reduce inflammation and pain with the addition of peppermint oil. A little goes a long way. Add a few drops to a neutral massage lotion and apply to a large area or just use a drop on a cotton ball and apply to the affected area. 
• Wu Yang Pain- Relieving Plasters  This plaster can be cut to fit the size of the injury and left on for several hours. It is also helpful for more chronic injuries in Stage 3 like tendonitis as well as sprains, strains, and torn or pulled muscles with swelling, heat and inflammation.

Stage 3

This chronic stage may require the use of topicals from Stage 1 and 2 depending on the level of inflammation and swelling. It is also a great time to use internal herbs. Moxa sticks are also great to help increase blood flow, especially for ligament injuries and joint pain where cold causes more pain and blood flow is typically less than in muscles.

In conclusion, the most important aspect of understanding these stages is to move through them properly in order to prevent acute injuries from becoming chronic. Inflammation causes pain but it is also the mechanism that brings healing to the tissues. The ideal is to have enough inflammation to bring healing to the tissues but not enough to cause pain. I have spent 20 years trying to improve upon that balance. May these topicals help you in whatever stage of healing you find yourself.