↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
1. Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Clinical manifestations: Pain worsening in cold or damp weather; stiffness with limited range of motion; heaviness or numbness in the limbs; swelling without redness; pain relieved by warmth; better with gentle movement.
Tongue: Pale, slightly swollen, teeth-marked, white greasy coating, moist surface. Pulse: Wiry and tight, or soggy and slow.
Treatment principle: Dispels Wind-Cold-Damp, tonifies Qi, invigorates Blood and unblocks the channels.
Note: moxa is strongly indicated. This site's decks have no Painful-Obstruction/Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent again — no pattern link is given here.
2. Painful Obstruction Due to Damp-Heat in Channels
Clinical manifestations: Joints red, swollen and hot to the touch; intense burning pain; heavy, aching limbs; thirst with a desire for cold fluids; irritability and restlessness; worse with heat and spicy foods; relieved by cold compresses.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen, yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat, drains Dampness and unblocks the channels to relieve the inflammation.
Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Painful-Obstruction/Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent again — no pattern link is given here.
3. Phlegm in the Channels
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain; hard, firm joint swellings; purplish skin around the joints; numbness or a heavy sensation; subcutaneous nodules; chronic deformity.
Tongue: Purple with stasis spots, white greasy coating, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Wiry and choppy, or wiry and slippery.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis, transforms Phlegm and unblocks the channels.
Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Phlegm-in-the-channels slide, confirmed absent again — no pattern link is given here.
4. Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: A dull, aching pain worsening with exertion; numbness or tingling; profound fatigue and weakness; a pale face and lips; shortness of breath on mild exertion; poor appetite; improved by rest and warmth.
Tongue: Pale, possibly thin with teeth marks, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine and weak, slower than normal, weakest at the rear positions.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi and Blood, warms the channels and supports nourishment without excessive movement.
Note: moxa is appropriate. This site's decks have no Painful-Obstruction/Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent again — no pattern link is given here.
5. Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: Chronic dull joint pain worse in cold or damp conditions; lower back and knee soreness and weakness; numbness or tingling; fatigue; a pale complexion; vulnerability to external pathogens.
Tongue: Pale, thin, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, weak, slow, especially at the rear positions.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Liver and Kidney Essence, nourishes Blood, dispels lingering Wind-Damp and strengthens the bones and sinews.
Note: moxa is strongly indicated. This site's decks have no Painful-Obstruction/Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent again — no pattern link is given here.