Foot Edemaaccording to TCM
*redirected from Oedema of feet
Symptom families: Edema-associated Concerns, Feet Issues
Parent symptom: Edema
What is Foot Edema?
Foot edema is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid within the tissues of the feet, often leading to swelling and discomfort. This can be a transient symptom or an indication of more serious health conditions such as heart failure, renal issues, or venous insufficiency. In daily life, it may manifest as shoes feeling tighter than usual, a puffiness of the skin, and a pressing pain when the swollen area is touched.
How Does TCM View Foot Edema?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets foot edema as a disharmony within the body's natural flow of Qi and Blood, often associated with the dysfunction of the Spleen, Kidney, or Liver.
Dampness and Stagnation are common pathological factors in TCM thought to contribute to fluid accumulation. Treatment focuses on restoring balance, enhancing fluid metabolism, and promoting the correct movement of Qi and Blood.
Root Causes of Foot Edema in TCM
In the realm of Traditional Chinese Medicine, foot edema is most commonly associated with the concept of Dampness, a pathogenic factor that pertains to fluid imbalances in the body. When Dampness prevails, it can lead to a series of symptoms including swelling of the feet, a sense of heaviness, and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
Two primary patterns observed are Dampness obstructing the Spleen's function of transportation and transformation, leading to fluid accumulation, and Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder, which combines the humid stagnation with the fieriness of Heat, resulting in symptoms like nausea and a dull yellow complexion.
Explore below more details about what might cause Foot edema according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Dampness
- Phlegm
- Qi Stagnation
- View More Causes
Dampness
"Dampness" in TCM is a concept that describes a pattern of disharmony where the body accumulates excess moisture. Imagine the heavy, sticky feeling you get on a very humid day; that's similar to what dampness feels like internally. It can manifest as a sense of heaviness, bloating, sluggishness, or even a foggy mind. This condition is often thought to arise from environmental factors like living in a damp place, dietary habits that promote moisture in the body, or internal imbalances that hinder the body's ability to process fluids properly. In TCM, dampness can obstruct the normal flow of energy and fluids in the body, leading to various symptoms.... see more
Dampness Patterns That Can Lead to Foot Edema
Common Symptoms: Feeling Of Heaviness Abdominal Edema Ankle Edema Facial Edema Oedema Of Hands Leg Edema Ocular Swelling Abdominal Distention
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Oedema | Oedema of feet, Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema, Ocular swelling, Abdominal distention... see more | Wu Ling San | Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang | Ping Wei San | Wu Pi Yin | Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang | Zhen Wu Tang | Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan | Yu Gong San | Zhou Che Wan |
| Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder | Swelling of the feet, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine, Fever, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Irritability, Feeling of heaviness, Limb numbness, Foot edema, Alternating diarrhea and constipation, Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Yellow sclera... see more | Yin Chen Hao Tang |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Foot Edema
To address foot edema, TCM practitioners often turn to the classic formula Wu Ling San, which is especially renowned for its potency in promoting diuresis and dispelling Dampness. The key herb in this formula, Water plantain or Ze Xie, is valued for its ability to drain excess fluids.
When Dampness coexists with Heat, as in Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder, the formula Yin Chen Hao Tang is prescribed to clear Heat and dry Dampness, with Virgate wormwood or Yin Chen being the herbal hero for its cooling and drying properties.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address foot edema, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Dampness
- Phlegm
- Qi Stagnation
- View More Causes
Top Formula for Dampness:
Wu Ling San
Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause foot edema, such as Oedema
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Foot Edema Caused by Dampness
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Wu Ling San | Oedema |
| Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang | Oedema |
| Ping Wei San | Oedema |
| Wu Pi Yin | Oedema |
| Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang | Oedema |
| Zhen Wu Tang | Oedema |
| Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan | Oedema |
| Yu Gong San | Oedema |
| Zhou Che Wan | Oedema |
| Yin Chen Hao Tang | Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder |
Acupoints for Foot Edema
Targeting specific acupoints can be an effective method in TCM to alleviate foot edema. Points along the Stomach Channel, such as Chongyang ST-42 and Xiangu ST-43, are selected for their influence on the Stomach and Spleen, organs responsible for fluid metabolism. These points are said to tonify these organs, ensuring the proper transformation and transportation of fluids, thus reducing edema.
Additionally, points on the Gall Bladder Channel, like Diwuhui GB-42 and Xiaxi GB-43, may be utilized to address the stagnation of Liver Qi, which is closely related to the Gall Bladder and can contribute to fluid retention when not flowing freely.
See more details below about Qiduan EX-LE-12, an acupoint used to address foot edema.
- By Meridian
- Extra Points: Lower Extremities (EX-LE)
