Bone setting treatment procedures

Different from modern medicine, Chinese medicine bone setting treats musculoskeletal disorders with the conjunctive use of TCM orthopedics, osteopathic and chiropractic approaches. Bone setting procedures are mostly non-invasive, thus leaving mild to no damage to the human body. In clinical practice, Chinese medicine practitioners (or bonesetters) would provide different bone setting treatment procedures depending on the type of injuries, severity, patient’s physical conditions, medical history and preference, etc. Common bone setting treatment procedures include, but are not limited to:

• Internal Chinese medicine: Internal Chinese medicine treatments for bone setting are usually taken orally. Most of them function by promoting Qi and blood circulation and removing bruises, such as Chuanxiong, Safflower, Peach Seed, Angelica, Rehmannia, White Peony, etc.

• Topical Chinese medicine: Bone setting therapy usually combines both internal and external administration of Chinese medicines. For example, Chinese medicinal ingredients are often mixed with alcohol for topical administration for sprains and strains. Most of these topical medications contain Chinese medicine ingredients like Chuanxiong, Safflower, Peach Seed, Myrrh, Notoginseng, Turmeric, etc.

• Manipulation: Manipulation is a non-invasive treatment with the effects of adjusting bones, muscles and joints, dredging Qi and blood, and fixing dislocations.

• Fixation: In the cases of fractures or dislocations, fixation procedures are often applied to keep the bones and joints in place in order to facilitate fracture healing and joint fixation.

• Acupuncture: Chinese medicine acupuncture is a TCM unique therapy. It can promote Qi and blood circulation, dredge the meridian system, reduce swelling and relieve pain, etc., and therefore can be integrated with the bone setting treatment.

• Cupping: Cupping is often applied together with acupuncture by Chinese medicine practitioners. It functions by stimulating meridians, Qi and blood circulation to dehumidify the body, reduce swelling and relieve pain, etc. More importantly, cupping therapy is effective in relaxing muscles and relieving soft tissue tenderness.

• Tuina: Tuina is a unique TCM massage technique to relax soft tissues, relieve pain, stimulate Qi and blood circulation, etc.

• Physical exercise training: Beside the above procedures, physical exercise training is also essential to facilitate recovery, strengthen muscles and soft tissues as well as prevent future injuries. Physical training can also promote Qi and blood circulation according to TCM theory.

Bone setting indications: When should I get bone setting therapy?

Most damage to bones, muscles, skin, flesh, meridians, blood, and organs caused by both external and internal forces can be treated by bone setting. Bone setting is usually used to handle musculoskeletal disorders like various types of fractures, joint dislocations, soft tissue injuries, trauma, sprains or muscle strains, etc. Except for severe trauma or bleeding and injuries that may require treatment by modern medicine and surgery, Chinese medicine bone setting is applicable to the following common fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries as a non-invasive approach:

Bone setting Indications of common fractures:

• Fractures of forearms / upper limbs (e.g. distal radius and ulna fractures)
• Phalanx fracture
• Ankle fracture / broken ankle
• Talar neck fracture
• Foot fractures (e.g. calcaneal fracture, distal phalanx fracture)

Bone setting Indications of common joint dislocations

• Minor scoliosis
• Disc displacement
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation
• Upper extremity dislocations (e.g. shoulder dislocation, elbow dislocation)
• Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint dislocation
• Interphalangeal (IP) joint dislocations
• Lower extremity dislocation (e.g. hip dislocation)
• Ankle dislocation

Bone setting Indications of common soft tissue injuries

• Cervical injuries (e.g. neck sprain, cervical spondylosis, stiff neck)
• Shoulder injuries (e.g. shoulder sprain/strain, frozen shoulder, supraspinatus tendonitis)
• Elbow injuries (e.g. elbow ligament or tendon injuries, lateral epicondylitis / tennis elbow)
• Wrist injuries (e.g. wrist sprain/strain, De Quervain tenosynovitis / mommy thumb)
• Lumbar injuries (e.g. lumbar strain, lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, low back pain)
• Hip injuries / hip sprain / hip strain
• Knee injuries (e.g. meniscus tear)
• Ankle injuries (e.g. ankle sprain, ankle strain)