Sunday, March 14, 2010

Using Hot Stones for Immediate Pain Relief



The use of hot stones in Tibetan Medicine falls under the topic dug or compresses.  As a new Tibetan doctor, I have found that hot stones are one of the easiest to use methods to bring very quick relief to people experiencing chronic pain. In some cases, I have found that they cure chronic pain almost immediately, especially when combined with massage. They are especially useful for treating symptoms of pain associated with trauma to nerves.

These days it is very common to see the practice of hot stones in spas, however the way they are used in Tibetan Medicine is quite different. In spas they are generally only heated to the point where one can actually hold the stone and massage the client with it. In Tibetan Medicine, we actually heat the stones for a very long time. We then place them on top of a towel over the intended place of treatment.  Sometimes they can be even too hot with only one towel between the stone and the body.

In general when placing the stones we place them directly on the place of pain. We also use smaller stones on points that are used in moxibustion , many of which correspond with internal organs.  This we do when there is a cold nature illness affecting the organ.


2 comments:

dechen said...

Thanks for this wonderful entery and the blog. Many congratulations for obtaining the degree in Tibetan Medicine. I do see that you are determined and curious about what Tibetan Medicine can do in the future. I also sense that dug is just a small step towards the begining of you exploration and experience with Tibetan Medicine. Keep it up! Good Job.

I also want to suggest if you have tried Chu-do which has the opposite natuure for hot diseases, say may be heat stroke or headache without any underlying disorders. I do see a revivial of TM in the west right!
Dechen

Matthew Schmookler, TTMD, LMT said...

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I have not yet used cold stones, as I have not yet faced the need. It is certainly in the tool box.

I mostly work with diet, lifestyle, herbal medicine, and kunye massage with compresses such as hot stones or horme (warm oil compress). Most people who come to see Tibetan Doctors in the US have chronic problems. Cold stones are really good for early stage inflammation.