Muscle Painaccording to TCM

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What is Muscle Pain?

Muscle pain, also known as muscle soreness, refers to discomfort or tenderness in one or more muscles. It can range from mild to severe and may be localized to a specific muscle group or widespread throughout the body. Muscle pain can occur due to various reasons, including overexertion, injury, tension, or underlying medical conditions. It often presents as a dull ache, tightness, or stiffness in the affected muscles, and can sometimes be accompanied by swelling or restricted movement.

How Does TCM View Muscle Pain?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), muscle pain is seen as a result of imbalances in the body's energy flow, particularly disruptions in the flow of Qi and Blood. Unlike Western medicine, which may attribute muscle pain to physical strain or injury, TCM considers it as a manifestation of underlying disharmony in the body's internal environment.

TCM practitioners believe that identifying the specific pattern of disharmony causing the symptoms is essential for effective treatment, as it allows for a tailored approach to address the root cause and restore balance.

Root Causes of Muscle Pain in TCM

Muscle pain in TCM can stem from various patterns of disharmony, including Phlegm accumulation and Wind invasion, both a type of Painful Obstruction pattern. Phlegm accumulation in the Channels, joints, and muscles can lead to symptoms such as muscle pain, joint stiffness, and arthralgia.

Wind invasion, characterized by symptoms like aversion to cold, fever, and headaches, can also manifest as muscle pain.

Explore below more details about what might cause Muscle pain according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
Detailed description of the cause

Phlegm

In TCM "Phlegm" as a pattern of disharmony is a complex concept that extends beyond the physical manifestation of mucus. It represents a pathological factor that can disrupt the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood, leading to various health issues. Phlegm in TCM is seen as a sticky, turbid substance arising from the body's inability to metabolize fluids properly, often due to a dysfunction of the spleen. It's not only associated with respiratory problems like cough and congestion but also with systemic issues. Symptoms can include a feeling of heaviness, mental cloudiness, dizziness, and in some cases, the formation of lumps or masses. Phlegm can even be "invisible," contributing to emotional disturbances like depression or stress. ... see more

Phlegm Patterns That Can Lead to Muscle Pain

Common Symptoms: Stifling Sensation In The Chest Profuse White Sputum Feeling Of Heaviness Lack Of Sweating Absence Of Thirst Alternating Fever And Chills Body Pain Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles Muscle pain, Skin numbness, Skeletal deformities, Joint stiffness, Arthralgia Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm Pain in the muscles, Coughing, Asthma, Edema, Stifling sensation in the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum... see more Xiao Qing Long Tang | Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs Pain in the muscles, Feeling of heaviness, Muscle pain, Lack of sweating, Absence of thirst, Profuse white sputum, Swollen limbs, Urinary dysfunction... see more Xiao Qing Long Tang | Da Qing Long Tang
Detailed description of the cause

Wind

In TCM "Wind" is a concept that represents a pattern of disharmony, often characterized by its sudden and unpredictable nature, much like a gusty wind changing direction without warning. This pattern is associated with symptoms that come and go quickly or move around the body, such as itching, tremors, or even certain types of pain. Wind is considered to be a primary cause of illnesses that have these rapidly changing characteristics. In TCM, external Wind often refers to illnesses that start suddenly, like the common cold, believed to be caused by external pathogenic factors like climatic changes. On the other hand, internal Wind can be linked to internal imbalances and can manifest in conditions like dizziness or spasms. ... see more

Wind Patterns That Can Lead to Muscle Pain

Common Symptoms: Aversion To Cold Fever Feeling Of Heaviness Neck Gland Swelling Nausea Excessive Sweating Occipital Stiffness Body Pain

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Damp-Wind Muscle ache, Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness, Body pain, Muscle pain, Feeling of heaviness, Swollen joints... see more Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang | Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang | Cang Er Zi San | Xiao Feng San | Ku Shen Tang | Hai Tong Pi Tang
Exterior Wind Muscle pain, Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Anemophobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum, Itchy throat, Sneezing, Coughing, Itchy skin... see more Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Detailed description of the cause

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 Muscle Pain

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Damp-Wind Muscle ache, Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness, Body pain, Muscle pain, Feeling of heaviness, Swollen joints... see more Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang | Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang | Cang Er Zi San | Xiao Feng San | Ku Shen Tang | Hai Tong Pi Tang
Detailed description of the cause

Cold

In TCM "Cold" as a pattern of disharmony refers to a specific type of imbalance within the body's systems, often linked to a deficiency or weakness. It's not about feeling physically cold or having a common cold, but rather a metaphorical description of certain symptoms and underlying conditions. When a TCM practitioner says someone suffers from "Cold," it usually implies that the body's Yang energy, which is warm and active, is insufficient or overpowered by Yin energy, which is cool and passive. Symptoms of Cold in TCM can include a general feeling of coldness, cold limbs, pale complexion, low energy, slow metabolism, and a preference for warmth. ... see more

Cold Patterns That Can Lead to Muscle Pain

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles Pain in the muscles, Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Muscle pain, Swollen joints, Muscle numbness, Stiff neck... see more Wu Tou Tang | Xiao Huo Luo Dan

TCM Herbal Formulas for Muscle Pain

TCM offers specific formulas and herbs to address muscle pain based on the identified pattern of disharmony. For Phlegm accumulation patterns, Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is recommended to regulate Blood and invigorate the Blood. In cases of Wind invasion, Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San can help dredge and disperse External Wind.

Additionally, for general patterns like Painful Obstruction, Wu Tou Tang may be used to warm the Meridians and disperse Cold, alleviating muscle pain. These herbal remedies work synergistically to restore balance and relieve muscle pain.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address muscle pain, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind
  • Formulas that clear wind-Cold
  • Formulas that dispel wind-Damp
  • External formulas for external disorders
  • Formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold
  • Formulas that regulate blood
  • Formulas that warm and transform phlegm-Cold

All Formulas Recommended for Muscle Pain Caused by Phlegm

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Xiao Qing Long Tang Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles
Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Da Qing Long Tang Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs

All Formulas Recommended for Muscle Pain Caused by Wind

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang Damp-Wind
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang Damp-Wind
Cang Er Zi San Damp-Wind
Xiao Feng San Damp-Wind
Ku Shen Tang Damp-Wind
Hai Tong Pi Tang Damp-Wind
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San Exterior Wind

All Formulas Recommended for Muscle Pain Caused by Dampness

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang Damp-Wind
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang Damp-Wind
Cang Er Zi San Damp-Wind
Xiao Feng San Damp-Wind
Ku Shen Tang Damp-Wind
Hai Tong Pi Tang Damp-Wind

All Formulas Recommended for Muscle Pain Caused by Cold

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Wu Tou Tang Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
Xiao Huo Luo Dan Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles

All "formulas that dredge and disperse external wind" recommended for muscle pain

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Xiao Huo Luo Dan Painful Obstruction, Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
Cang Er Zi San Damp-Wind
Xiao Feng San Damp-Wind
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San Exterior Wind

All "formulas that clear wind-Cold" recommended for muscle pain

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Xiao Qing Long Tang Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm, Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang Damp-Wind
Da Qing Long Tang Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs

All "formulas that dispel wind-Damp" recommended for muscle pain

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang Damp-Wind
Da Fang Feng Tang Painful Obstruction

All "external formulas for external disorders" recommended for muscle pain

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Ku Shen Tang Damp-Wind
Hai Tong Pi Tang Damp-Wind

Acupoints for Muscle Pain

Explore below some acupoints used to address muscle pain, organized by meridian.

  • By Meridian
  • Bladder Channel
  • Spleen Channel
  • Triple Burner Channel
Tianzhu BL-10

Tianzhu BL-10

1.3 cun lateral to Yamen DU-15 on the posterior midline, 0.5 cun above the posterior hairline, on the lateral side of trapezius muscle.

Ganshu BL-18

Ganshu BL-18

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra (T9).

Dabao SP-21

Dabao SP-21

On the mid-axillary line, in the 6th intercostal space.

Huizong ST-7

Huizong ST-7

3 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist joint space and 0.5 cun ulnar to the forearm center.