Chinese Medicine & Traumatology ZGTN Method Study Notes

Overview of Chinese Medicine and Traumatology: ZGTN Method

  • Instructor: Jen Resnick, DAHM, LAc

  • Focus: Treatment of acute conditions

  • Location: Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine

Nature of Soft Tissue Injuries

  • Characteristics:

    • Inflammation is characterized by redness, heat, pain, and swelling.

Stages of Tissue Repair - Cascade of Events

  1. Stage 1: Hemorrhagic

  2. Stage 2: Inflammatory

  3. Stage 3: Proliferation

  4. Stage 4: Remodeling and Maturation

Western Perspective of Injury

  • Goals of Treatment:

    • Control inflammation to promote healing.

    • Stop pain.

  • Common Treatments:

    • R.I.C.E.: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

    • NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

Chinese Medicine Perspective of Injury

  • Concept Overview:

    • Injury is perceived as damage from the disruption of the free flow of Qi within the meridians.

    • Obstruction Analogy: Compared to a beaver dam in a river, leading to stasis.

  • Key Components:

    • Stasis of Qi, fluids, and blood results in swelling.

    • Compromised Wei Qi diminishes local protective abilities.

Treatment Principles in Chinese Medicine

  • Main Principle: Dissolve obstructions to restore Qi flow.

  • Philosophical Phrase: Bu tong ze tong / Tong ze bu tong (No free-flow, there is pain; Pain means there is no free flow).

  • Strategic Approach: Treatment should align with the nature and stage of the injury.

  • Core Objective: Apply appropriate therapies based on the assessment of the injury.

Stages of Soft Tissue Injuries

  1. Stage 1 (Acute): Duration 1 - 7 days

    • Characteristics: Heat, Qi and/or Blood stasis, fluid accumulation.

    • Treatment Principles: Clear heat, move stasis, stop pain, course Qi/Blood, reduce swelling.

  2. Stage 2 (Sub-acute): Duration 3 - 20 days

    • Characteristics: Potential heat or cold presence, Qi and/or blood stasis, minor fluid accumulation.

    • Treatment Principles: Move stasis, stop pain, relax sinews, course Qi/Blood, reduce swelling, restore normal function.

  3. Stage 3 (Chronic): Duration 14 - 20 days to present

    • Characteristics: Possible heat or cold, unresolved Qi and/or blood stasis, fluid accumulation, accommodating/adaptive dysfunctions.

    • Treatment Principles: Move stasis, stop pain, course Qi/Blood, reduce swelling, restore normal function, resolve accommodations.

    • Bruise Color Significance:

      • Black: Indicates bone level (Kidney is believed to govern bones).

      • Green: Indicates tendon level (Liver governs sinews).

      • Yellow: Indicates muscle level (Spleen governs muscles).

Stages of Osseous Injuries

  1. Stage 1: Duration 1 - 7 days (bones begin to knit).

  2. Stage 2: Duration 7 - 14 days (softly knitted bones are still fragile).

  3. Stage 3: Duration 14 - 28 days (bones are harder but flexible).

  4. Stage 4: Duration 4 - 5 weeks (bones should be solid).

Gao: Plasters and Poultices

Mediums for Making a Gao:

  • Egg Whites

  • Liquor

  • Turpentine

  • Vaseline

  • Green Tea

  • Chrysanthemum Juice

  • Ginger Juice

  • Honey

  • Sesame Oil

  • Beeswax with Sesame Oil

  • Pine Resin

  • Water

External Guide Herbs to Add to a Gao:

  1. 薄荷冰 (Bo He Bing)

  2. 麝香 (She Xiang)

  3. 冰片 (Bing Pian)

  4. 樟腦 (Zhang Nao)

Modified San Huang San:

  • Ingredients:

    • 大黄 (Da Huang)

    • 黄芩 (Huang Qin)

    • 黄柏 (Huang Bai)

    • 红花 (Hong Hua)

    • 栀子 (Zhi Zi)

    • 蒲公英 (Pu Gong Ying)

  • Instructions: Grind equal parts to a fine powder and mix with an appropriate medium to apply. EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

Specific Gao Formulations

  • Ru Yi Jin Huang Gao (Contains multiple herbs like Da Huang and Bai Zhi; External use only).

  • Liniments (e.g., Die Da Jiu) and herbal preparations; essential ingredients and preparation methods listed with emphasis on external application.

Herbal Soaks

  • Tendon Relaxing Soak Ingredients

  • Warming Soak Ingredients

  • Blood Stasis Soak Ingredients

  • All herbal soaks have corresponding quantities and functions listed and indicated for external use.

Internal Formulas

  • Dia Da Wan: Ingredients and preparation method for a trauma pill listed with caution against use during pregnancy.

  • Rib Fracture Formula: Detailed recipe with precautions.

  • Osteophyte Powder: Ingredients mix with dosage information and caution.

Dosage and Storage Instructions

  • Dosage for various herbal formulations followed by additional precautions for specific populations, especially regarding pregnancy or nursing.

Patent Remedies

  • A compilation of various STORE-BOUGHT Gao and Liniment brands available, noting their use in specific conditions such as pain relief, bruises, and arthritis.

Conclusion

  • Extensive notes on each herbal remedy's applications, preparations, and ethical considerations in use, particularly for vulnerable populations.

  • These notes represent a complete guide to Chinese medicine perspectives on injury and treatment strategies via the ZGTN method, emphasizing both preventive and remedial approaches.