Shi Yangshan on Soft Tissue Injuries

Author: Shi Yangshan, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Soft tissue refers to the muscles, ligaments, fascia, tendons, synovial membranes, fat, joint capsules, as well as surrounding nerves and blood vessels beneath the skin and outside the bones in the human musculoskeletal system. Once injured, soft tissue may present symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising, numbness, muscle atrophy, functional disorders, and even deformities. Soft tissue damage falls within the of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) "jīn" (tendons). In TCM, soft tissue injuries are referred to as "jīn shāng" (injury to the tendons). TCM holds that: "The jīn binds the bones and facilitates the movement of joints, governing the entire body's motion." The body's flexion, extension, bending, and stretching movements are all maintained by the jīn. Qi and blood are the material basis for sustaining human life activities, and the jīn relies on the nourishment of qi and blood. Injuries to the jīn inevitably lead to abnormal changes in qi and blood. Therefore, the fundamental principle of TCM treatment for soft tissue injuries is to first regulate qi and blood, and then, based on the different locations and patterns of injury (such as excess/deficiency, cold/heat, phlegm/dampness), apply syndrome differentiation and treatment with medicinal herbs. TCM treatment for soft tissue injuries includes oral medications, topical applications, steam baths, massage techniques, acupuncture, and more. Clinically, these methods can be flexibly applied based on the specific situation. The Shi family's orthopedic practice has developed unique experiences over the long course of clinical practice.
In terms of internal treatment, the Shi family emphasizes that the treatment of jīn injuries should prioritize qi, followed by blood. For acute injuries, the focus is on promoting blood circulation and regulating qi. For chronic injuries, the emphasis is on tonifying the liver and kidneys. For prolonged, complex injuries, the treatment often involves resolving phlegm and blood stasis, with approaches ranging from purgation to tonification, from warming to cooling, depending on the specific pattern.
Regarding external treatment, the Shi family's series of innovative topical medications are widely used in clinical practice, particularly the Three-Color Ointment, which is often combined with Hongyu Ointment, Sanhuang Ointment, Hehuadan, Guishi Dan, etc., achieving excellent results. It has now been developed into a new generation of orthopedic preparation—the Compound Cercis Fraxinifolia Anti-Injury Ointment.
In terms of manipulation techniques, the Shi family employs a "twelve-character formula" for treating jīn injuries: "pull, stretch, press, align, drag, grasp, lift, apply, rub, sway, and shake." Through techniques that are "stable yet powerful, flexible yet precise," the treatment goals are achieved.
This book primarily introduces the modern medical understanding of soft tissue injuries, TCM treatment methods, the distinctive diagnostic and therapeutic features of the Shi family's orthopedic practice, as well as relevant preventive and health care knowledge. It embodies the integration of tradition and modernity, different schools and specialties, popular science and professionalism in the Shi family's orthopedic practice. It is a comprehensive book that combines preventive health care and rehabilitation treatment, and it is hoped that it will benefit the readers.