High blood lipids, or hyperlipidaemia, is divided into primary and secondary subtypes. Primary hyperlipidaemia is usually due to genetic causes. It may also be acquired through environmental factors such as over-nutrition. Secondary hyperlipidaemia arises due to other underlying causes such as diabetes, underactive thyroid, obesity, and liver and kidney diseases. Stress or lack of exercise can also increase the risk of having secondary hyperlipidaemia.

In addition to the aforementioned factors, malfunctioning of the spleen, liver or kidney, as well as poor qi and blood circulation, can also result in high blood lipids, according to Chinese medicine. High blood lipids are considered to be a pathological product of certain diseases as well as a cause of others.

High blood lipids are categorised as ‘phlegm dampness’ and ‘blood stagnation’ related to liver, kidney and spleen function from the perspective of Chinese medicine. Treatments target four major symptoms, including spleen weakness, ‘stomach heat’, phlegm turbidity and yin deficiency.

Quitting smoking and drinking and avoiding anxiety can help prevent hyperlipidaemia. A low fat and low sugar diet, and having regular exercise and weight control are also some of the effective preventive measures.

The concept of pain relief in Chinese medicine originated from Neijing (The Inner Canon), which stated that ‘blocked circulation induces pain, whereas good circulation relieves pain’. Pain is caused by ‘poor qi and blood circulation’, and ‘blocked and deficient circulation leads to pain, whereas good circulation relieves pain’.

Pain is caused by six climatic factors, namely wind, cold, heat, wetness, dryness and fire, or seven emotional factors, namely joy, anger, worry, over-thinking, grief, fear and fright. It may also be related to imbalanced diet, poor qi circulation, blood stagnation and phlegm turbidity. All these lead to the malfunctioning of the body’s meridian system and its qi which resulting in blood and phlegm stagnation and blocked circulation, and thus pain occurs.

Identification of symptoms, diseases and affected organs is crucial to treatment. Effective integrated remedies include the use of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, Qi-Gong, steaming therapy, paraffin therapy, cold compress, hot compress, herbal bathing and topical medicine.

In order to avoid pain, we have to first identify the causes of it in everyday life. Exercising and naturopathy lead to “good circulation” and are active preventions against pain and diseases.