Die Da Yao is the branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that addresses the healing and management of injury to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bone.
A broad spectrum of herbal oils, salves, liniments and poultices were developed to be used with massage protocols in order to facilitate pain relief and injury recovery.
There are Die Da Yao applications for all ranges of injuries, from minor to traumatic.
When someone sustains an injury, a cascade of problems begins. The body’s first response at the site of the injury is:
- heat, swelling, inflammation and pain
Looking thru the lens of TCM, the consequence of this response is a blockage of the body’s vital energy flow (Qi).
Two physical repercussions of the injury are reduced circulation and possibly blood pooling (hematoma) under the skin. The reduced circulation reduces the oxygen supply to the tissue. In TCM, this condition is referred to as blood stagnation. If there is pressure or stabbing pain in the area, the term Blood Stasis is used.
It is important that normal circulation be restored as soon as possible so that the injured tissue returns to homeostasis.
When injured, most people immediately apply ice. Most people also keep using ice days for days after the injury.
While ice may provide some pain relief, I do not recommend using ice.
Ice reduces circulation and slows down the healing process.
For minor to moderate injuries, my first go-to is the application of Cool Brace Cooling Liniment, which I call Herbal Ice.
The herbal properties of Cool Brace reduce pain and open up the flow of blood and Qi to promote healing.
My second go-to is the application of Cool Brace Packs. I find Cool Brace Packs to be way more effective than an Ice Pack.
Cool Brace Packs are easy to make using general supplies found in most kitchens: Paper Towels, Quart Size Storage Zip Bags.
Here is how to make a Cool Brace Pack
- Fold 4 paper towels into a 4 x 4 square. This is your Cool Brace Square.
- Put the Cool Brace Square into a Zip Bag and thoroughly soak it with Cool Brace Cooling Liniment. Viola! You have made a Cool Brace Pack!
- Place the Cool Brace Pack in the refrigerator (or freezer) for a short period of time, until it is chilled.
- Take the chilled Cool Brace Square out of the zip lock bag and place it directly over your injury. The cooling, healing relief will begin immediately.
- As the Cool Brace Square dries out and warms up, repeat this process . You can put the Cool Brace Square back into the Zip Bag and add more Cool Brace Cooling Liniment. Put the Cool Brace Pack back into the refrigerator and chill it out.
- Pro-Tip: When you make the Cool Brace Pack, instead of making only one, make two. That way you will always have a chilled Cool Brace Pack available to use.
