Not many people appreciate how widespread a problem wounds are in our current society. Healing wounds, which can also be classified in layman's terms as sores, ulcers, lesions, cuts and tissue damage, is extremely important.

If one stops for a moment to consider how remarkably widespread diabetes is, the number of people who will require wound treatment is staggering. In addition, other diseases make this area of treatment even more relevant, given that persistent or chronic pain states can play a role in poor or sub-optimal wound healing.

Richard M. Stillman, MD, FACS, former chief of staff and medical director of the Wound Healing Center and Department of Surgery at Northwest Medical Center in Arizona, lists diabetes, infection, drugs, nutrition and tissue issues, hypoxia (lack of oxygen in blood tissue), excess tension at wound site, competing wounds and low tissue temperature as the  biggest obstacles in wound healing, in a 2007 document, "Wound Care."

Although Stillman's background is in Western biomedicine, his list is still very relevant to a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective towards wound healing. Such physical obstacles transcend medical schools of thought. The difference comes in the treatment.

Wound healing from a TCM perspective can differ in many ways from a Western biomedical approach. TCM, which has been practised  for thousands of years, has deeply emphasized an artistic and holistic approach to healing. The concept of yin and yang, which describes two opposing and, at the same time, complementary aspects of any one phenomenon, is applied in the TCM approach to healing.

The yin tends to be associated with poor circulation, stagnation and poor healing, whereas the yang tends to be associated with being overheated or having an excess of scar
tissues. The ideal balance is for yin and yang to be in relative harmony.

The Chinese philosophy of the five elements, which is the basis of the universe according to Chinese Taoism, are viewed as being essential in promoting wound healing in a complementary way. The lungs have to be healthy and strong. The kidneys are considered the "mother" of the lungs and the spleen is responsible for the immune system and the
body's muscles.

The Zang Fu system consists of both hollow and solid organs. The lungs are viewed as being responsible for the skin and circulation. Healing takes place with the assistance of the small intestine and bladder. Therefore, by treating the lungs and small intestines, healing is initiated. This healing process also benefits from the spleen and immune system being stimulated.

In addition to treatment using the above concepts and philosophies, body, mind and spirit have to be stabilized and well aligned so healing can take place.

Nutrition and therapeutic dietetics are also essential when using the TCM approach, to enhance immunity and promote healing. Nutrients and proper oxygenation are viewed as being important to wound healing. The kidneys are seen as key in healing as they store Qi  (or chi, energy) and keep the body healthy on a cellular level.

Chinese green tea can be very useful in wound healing. Green tea can help clean out dead tissue and promote granulation and, ultimately, the formation of new tissue. Carefully soaked dried mushrooms are an effective antiseptic.

Herbal medicines can be helpful in promoting wound healing processes. The oldest herbal medicines have been used in the Shao Lin Buddhist Temple in Southern China. For example, Tia Tar is a woundhealing herbal compound indicated for internal to external wound healing. Yuan Nan white powders can be extremely useful for various external indications and may also prove effective for selected internal indications, such as stomach and colonic ulcers and colitis.

When considering using herbal or medicinal remedies, be certain that the products meet or exceed reasonable safety and quality standards. Given the extreme environmental degradation in many parts of the world, this point cannot be emphasized enough. It's also important for people to check whether the remedy will interfere with other medications being taken. Also, remember that just because something is natural it doesn't mean it can't do any harm.

Acupuncture is also part of TCM approach to wound healing and wound management. There are specific energetic meridians associated with wound healing. The small intestine point (SI-6) can be very useful in promoting healing inside the chest and above the diaphragm. The large intestine point (LI-4B) can be very useful in healing wounds above the neck. The point in the chest area called the governing vessel meridian (GV-7-9) can prove useful in healing trunk, abdominal or pelvic regions. The lung meridians also control the skin, whereas the spleen controls the muscles and the kidneys control the nerves.

Acupuncture also restores energy and harmony to body, mind and spirit, which helps to promote wound healing because a good constitution is necessary to help balance all the body's systems.

Medical Qi Gong is like acupuncture without needles and herbal medicine without the herbs. Alignment is vitally important in healing. Slow gentle movements are used to balance a patient's energy with consciousness. The mind is trained to offer enhanced control of the body. Many of the exercises are focused on spiritual development and purified positive energy to promote faster wound healing. The meridians and acupoints are  opened up for the benefit of healing.

In Traditional Chinese Qi Gong, breathing exercises promote healing through the relevant meridians and the Zang Fu system.

Massage and manipulative therapies may be used to promote healing by balancing the energy flow of specific meridians and acupoints. A number of specific breathing, visual, sound and chakra exercises will also promote wound healing.

Feng shui focuses on living in harmony with Mother Nature, which is also important for wound healing. The electromagnetic forces that run north and south in a perpendicular manner relative to the globe promotes wound healing. With feng shui it is important to create positive energy by enhancing the house feng shui. A house needs to be blessed to create positive energy. In this way, it becomes a home rather than merely a house.

In conclusion, the TCM approach to wound healing is more holistic and natural than Western biomedical approaches tend to be. With TCM, the emphasis is on the art of healing, promoting well-being and disease prevention. Compassion plays an important role in the art of wound healing and positive healing energy.

Dr. Steven K.H. Aung is a geriatric and family physician and a TCM practitioner and  teacher. He seeks to blend Eastern, Western and natural medicine in his medical clinic in Edmonton, Alberta. At the University of Alberta, Dr. Aung is an associate clinical professor in the Departments of Medicine and Family Medicine and adjunct professor in the Faculty of Extension and the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. Dr. Aung is also a founding member and current president of the World Natural Medicine Foundation, the Canadian Medical Acupuncture Society and the International Buddhist Friends Association. www.aung.com

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