Die Da Yao 2nd Stage Injury Healing
No matter what area of the body suffers an injury it goes thru 4 stages of recovery according to Die Da Yao. The 1st stage is acute, the 2nd stage is post-acute and the 3rd stage is chronic. The 4th stage of recovery, Moxibustion, is utilized for removing any last vestiges of the injury. Lets look at the process for the 2nd stage.
After the 1st acute stage has passed in 2-3 days and swelling is reduced, the circulatory system begins to clear away the damaged tissue and the remaining swelling and pain begins to decrease.
We now enter the 2nd stage of the Die Da Yao healing process. The 2nd-stage of soft tissue damage is that period during which swelling and pain still exist but in a much less severe form. This 2nd stage can last up to three weeks. At this point the local area begins to turn deep-red and purple indicating stasis of blood and qi.
Often the individual suffering the injury has rested it in the 1st stage and it begins to feel better. However, they soon find that that the pain returns when they begin to (often too soon) resume their normal activity. This is usually the result of not knowing how to treat the injury thru the various stages of healing. Unfortunately due to the rush of modern society, individuals begin to stress the injury too early and bounce between the 1st and 2nd stage hindering permanent healing.
The treatment principle at this juncture is to soothe the sinews, dissipate stasis and quicken blood. Light massage (above and below the traumatized location), Die Da Yao herbal salves, acupressure and Die Da Yao soft herbal plasters should be used as the primary treatment.
Clearing heat now becomes secondary to dispelling stasis and moving the blood. With the reduction of heat at the injury site the use of salves and plasters can begin. The healing oils in the salves would retain too much heat in the 1st stage but can now be used to achieve a deeper healing process.
The strategy of treatment in this 2nd stage is similar to the 1st stage. However herbal formulas used in this 2nd stage are designed to assist in dispelling dampness (excess intercellular fluid) and wind (disruption of the body’s natural cycle) and removing stasis. The salve oils, healing in their own right, with infused herbs are used to carry the formula for a deeper healing penetration of the injury site.
Die Da Yao 2nd Stage Healing Salve
The use of the proper herbal combinations help to prevent the area from becoming a deep seated chronic bi (bone) condition. If the partially healed injury is left improperly treated at this point, it can lead to continual discomfort and pain throughout a lifetime.These improperly healed injuries can lead to improper bio mechanics thru offsetting of the injured area pain, creating weakened muscles and overstressing other soft tissue.
The weakness of the injured area also has a cascading effect, stressing the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This often is a root cause of instability to joints leading to deeper bone and articular cartilage problems.
During days 4 through 21 post-injury, the body is going through this post-acute stage of healing. The inflammation process will gradually decrease, but pain, especially at the end of range of motion, may still be a factor in some injuries.
Scar tissue continues to grow, the new growth of capillaries bring a fresh supply of blood and starts to form connective tissue. This process, called angiogenesis or revascularization, is key to repairing the damaged area. However, the tissues remain extremely fragile and easily damageable. If exposed to excessive stress the injury can easily return to a 1st stage condition. However, limited activity and exercise during this stage may cause muscle weakness.
Since the damaged tissue is so fragile, much care must be placed on not performing any activity that could damage the new growth. If this tissue is damaged, the pain may be very intense and the injury might return to the acute stage. So, it is recommended that the injured individual start with gentle movement that doesn’t stress the tissue and continue to limit unnecessary activity.
Tai Qi
Toward the end of this stage, intensity and duration of exercise and movement activity may be increased as tolerated. At this point, mild isometric exercise could help to strengthen the damaged area. These low-intensity exercises can help address any muscle weakness from inactivity as well. Light stretching, gentle Yoga, and Tai Qi exercises will also be beneficial.
By adhering to the Die Da Yao healing procedures when treating an injury, an individual can expect to speed recovery, while regaining full mobility and strength at the injury site. By following this Die Da Yao pattern it will assist in preventing future deeper seated problems which will return to plague the individual at a later date. No wonder the ancients developed this healing modality and the reason Die Da Yao has been around thousands of years!
