Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Dampness
Key attributes
Chinese name: 湿痹 Pinyin name: Shī Bì
Pattern nature: Full
Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Damp
Causes
Common causes: 1. External Dampness, 2. Weak constitution
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Joint pain Joint stiff Heavy joint Swollen joints Numbness in the skin and one other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Slow (Chi), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue description: Stick white coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Remove Dampness, unblock Channels, disperse Wind Cold
Common formulas: Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Pathology
It is a type of the Painful Obstruction Syndrome (Bi Syndrome 痹证). The Chinese name is called Shi Bi or Zhe Bi (湿痹 / 着痹).
The most typical manifestation of the pattern are the swollen, pain and numbness of the joints or muscles. These conditions get worse during raining weather or when the patients enter into some humid spaces.
When the discomfort occurs to one joint only, it is often due to Cold and Dampness combined invasion. While if several joints are concerned, it is more due to Damp and Heat together.
Causes
External Dampness : External Cold, Wind and Damp can penetrate the Body's Defensive Qi and settle down in the joints.
Weak constitution: Weak constitution means the Defensive Qi is not strong enough to fight against the external Pernicious Influence invasion. It can be due to genetic defect, overwork, lack of exercise, or long term sickness.
Diagnosing Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Slow (Chi) or soggy (Ru)
Tongue description: Stick white coating
Main symptoms: Joint pain Joint stiff Heavy joint Swollen joints Numbness in the skin Numbness in the muscles
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the joints pain, stiffness and swollen that worsen during rainy weather or in damp environments.
Treating Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
Treatment principle
Remove Dampness, unblock Channels, disperse Wind Cold
Herbal formulas used to treat Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Dispels Wind. Eliminates Dampness and transforms Phlegm . Invigorates the Blood. Removes Stagnation and relieves pain.
Formula summary
Xiao Huo Luo Dan is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind.
Besides Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles, Xiao Huo Luo Dan is also used to treat Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles or Wind invading the Channels joints and muscles.
Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Source date: 1587 AD
Number of ingredients: 16 herbs
Key actions: Expels Wind Damp from the Channels. Invigorates Blood. Unblocks the channels.
Formula summary
Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang is a 16-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1587 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation.