Injury pain is caused from the blockage of blood, fluids, and circulation in the injured area because their normal movement has been disrupted by the force of the injury. In Chinese sports medicine, pain is considered to be a result of the lack of normal blood flow and circulation of fluids in the injured area.
Just like cars back up behind a traffic jam, causing congestion, exhaust and overheating; blood and fluids back up behind the injured area, causing pain, inflammation, lumps and swelling. The impulse to rub an injured area is a natural urge to push the circulation through the area, breaking the traffic jam and restoring the flow of blood, fluids and circulation, thereby reducing the pain and helping damaged tissues regenerate.
Damaged tissues must receive the circulation of fresh blood and fluids to regenerate with healthy functional tissue, otherwise adhesions will form and limited range of motion will occur. As ligaments and tendons stretch and tear, blood from ruptured blood vessels becomes trapped in the local tissues. As the trapped blood clots up, it sticks the tissues together creating adhesions.
Adhesions cause pain, inflammation and restricted movement because the layers of tissue that used to slide smoothly across one another now adhere and snap which interferes with normal functioning.
Tendons and ligaments have a poor blood supply by nature. Once injured, they do not heal easily and the damage progresses with the stress of day-to-day activities. As a result, the tendons and ligaments loose their strength, and the cartilage and muscles become strained, causing chronic pain, weakness and further damage. Over time the injured area becomes sensitive to cold and damp weather from poor circulation, which can cause occasional swelling or numbness in the injured area.
