Roots & Branches: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Looks at Pain

Since mid-December, my shoulder has been bothering me. Although I haven’t formally had it diagnosed, I’m fairly certain I’m dealing with periarthritis of the shoulder, or more commonly known as frozen shoulder.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it has a much more poetic, if not slightly humbling name: “50-year-old shoulder.”

Yay.

Interestingly enough, over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had a noticeable number of people come into the clinic with very similar shoulder issues. So naturally, I went back to my books.

One of the things I love most about Chinese medicine is that two people can walk in with the same complaint; say, frozen shoulder, but their diagnosis, and therefore their treatment, can look completely different. That’s because TCM doesn’t just name a condition. It looks at patterns. This is where the idea of root and branch comes in.

What Do “Root” and “Branch” Mean in TCM?

In Chinese medicine, we often talk about treating both the root (ben) and the branch (biao).

The branch is what you’re noticing right now. It’s the symptom that brought you in the door. In my case, the branch is shoulder pain, restricted movement and stiffness. It’s the part that’s loud and “asking” for attention.

The root, on the other hand, is why that symptom showed up in the first place. It’s the underlying pattern that is often quietly developing in the background, sometimes for years before it shows up as something tangible.

Same Branch, Different Roots

From a Western perspective, frozen shoulder is frozen shoulder. From a TCM perspective, it’s much more nuanced.

One person’s root might be long-standing stress and tension, where Qi has been constrained for years and circulation through the shoulder simply isn’t smooth anymore.

Another person’s root might be declining Blood or Yin; something we naturally see more of as we age; where the tissues aren’t being nourished the way they once were. The joint dries out, stiffens, and loses its easy movement.

The branch looks the same, but the root tells a very different story.

Why Treating the Root Matters

If we only treat the branch (just chase pain), we may get temporary relief. But if the root isn’t addressed, the symptoms often return, sometimes in the same place, sometimes in a new one.

Lasting change happens when we take the time to understand what’s underneath: what’s not circulating well, what’s not being nourished, and what’s been under strain for a long time.

I love treating and nourishing the root causes of imbalance. It’s where the name of my practice comes from. This work is about listening closely to the body and supporting it at its roots, so change can be both meaningful and lasting.

If you’re interested in addressing what’s underneath your symptoms, you’re welcome to get in touch.