Treating Chronic Pain the Natural Way
Chronic pain affects nearly one in three people worldwide, disrupting sleep, draining energy, and impacting overall quality of life. While Western medicine often focuses on masking symptoms with medications, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a deeper, holistic approach, treating both the root cause and the pain to restore balance and long-term healing.
At the Tao of Wellness, we specialize in integrative, personalized treatments that combine acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and mind-body practices. These treatments have helped thousands of patients find relief naturally.
How TCM Understands Chronic Pain
In TCM, pain arises when the flow of Qi or vital energy and Blood becomes blocked or imbalanced. When energy flows freely, there’s no pain. When it stagnates, discomfort develops. A simple analogy is that Qi energy is equivalent to bioelectrical signals running throughout the body, and pain is the feedback signal when the signaling is disrupted. The type of pain you feel provides clues to its root cause:
Qi Stagnation – Dull, achy, or moving pain that can be caused by stress, emotional tension, or lack of movement. Is it any surprise that studies show up to 60% of all chronic pain has its origin in the mind? Don’t underestimate the connection between stress and pain.
Blood Stasis – Sharp, stabbing, fixed pain, often worse at night, with possible bruising or dark spots on the tongue. This is literally akin to a clot or occlusion of a blood vessel.
Cold Accumulation – Deep, constricting pain that improves with warmth but worsens in cold weather or after eating cold foods. Think of it as frostbite, but on the inside, in your esophagus and stomach!
Dampness Accumulation – Heavy, sluggish pain with swelling or numbness, often linked to dietary imbalances or humid environments. Think of exposure to mold spores in damp environments and your body’s inflammatory response.
Deficiency Syndromes – Dull, chronic pain caused by Qi, Blood, Yin, or Yang depletion, often accompanied by fatigue, weakness, or temperature sensitivities. Imagine pain from weakness in your muscles, joints, and bones, and how every step is a Herculean effort!
Acupuncture and Acupressure: Fast, Drug-Free Relief
Acupuncture is one of the most effective treatments for chronic pain, and it is backed by research and trusted worldwide. It works by:
Stimulating Qi and Blood flow to release blockages
Triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers
Calming the nervous system and reducing inflammation
Addressing both immediate pain relief and long-term healing
Powerful pain-relief acupoints you can use at home with acupressure:
LI4 (Hegu) & LIV3 (Taichong) – Moves Qi and Blood, calms tension, and eases body-wide pain
ST36 (Zusanli) – Reduces inflammation and strengthens energy
GB20 (Fengchi) – Relieves headaches, neck tension, and stress-related pain
Herbals and Supplements
We believe in working with your body, not against it. Below, you’ll find our carefully formulated remedies for natural relief:
Natural Herbal Solutions
Pain-Free Patches contain turmeric and ginger, a fast-acting, all-natural herbal blend that penetrates deep into sore muscles and joints, to target pain directly at the source. Herbal Pain Formula features Frankincense, Angelica, peony, and other time-tested botanicals. This powerful blend mobilizes Qi and Blood while gently reducing inflammation without the side effects of common pain medications.
Supplemental Support for Healing
Magnesium Calm relaxes tense muscles, supports nerve health, improves sleep, and reduces pain sensitivity. Omega Support is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3s, ideal for easing joint stiffness, swelling, and mobility issues.
Eating to Reduce Pain
A balanced, anti-inflammatory diet is essential for managing chronic pain. At Tao of Wellness, we recommend including more salmon, sardines, walnuts, flaxseed, olive oil, spinach, avocado, rosemary, and sunflower seeds. Limit or avoid processed and fried foods, sugary snacks, excessive alcohol, and nightshades (tomatoes, eggplants, peppers), if you’re sensitive to them.
For recipes and detailed guidance, check out Dr. Mao’s Longevity Cookbook — a patient favorite for anti-inflammatory living.
Mind-Body Practices That Heal
Qi Gong for Pain Relief: Gentle movements, breathwork, and meditation restore balance and improve circulation. Try Dr. Mao’s Qi Gong for Back Pain, a restorative video program designed to reduce stiffness, enhance mobility, and strengthen the spine.
Meditation for Pain Management: Research shows that mindfulness meditation activates distinct pain-relief pathways in the brain. For guided practice, explore Dr. Mao’s Meditations for Pain Management.
Physiotherapy: Tao of Wellness also offers in-office or online TCM physiotherapy sessions, which provide personalized and targeted mind-body practices to help with pain recovery and prevention.
Your Path to Pain-Free Living Starts Here
At Tao of Wellness, we treat the whole person — not just the pain. By combining acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, dietary therapy, and qi gong, we create a personalized healing plan tailored to your unique needs.
Take the First Step Today
Don’t let chronic pain control your life. Book your consultation and start your journey back to balance, vitality, and freedom from pain.