↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain in one spot; worse with pressure and prolonged sitting; pain worsens at night; a history of trauma or chronic strain; skin roughness over the affected area.
Tongue: Dark purple with stasis spots, distended dark sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Choppy, or wiry if Qi stagnation is present.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis, unblocks the channels and alleviates pain.
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Liver-Blood-stasis slide per the discoloration-marker rule.
2. Qi and Blood Stagnation
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain worse with pressure; a distending or tight chest and rib sensation; irritability or mood swings; a dark purplish tongue with stasis spots; emotional stress worsens the pain.
Tongue: Dark purple with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Wiry and choppy.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Qi and Blood, dispels stasis, unblocks the channels and moves Qi to alleviate pain.
Note: no moxa. No combined Qi-and-Blood-stagnation slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.
3. Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Clinical manifestations: Heavy, aching pain; stiffness and limited range of motion; aversion to cold and wind; worse in cold, damp, rainy weather; improves with warmth and gentle movement; swelling without redness; heaviness or numbness.
Tongue: Pale, slightly swollen with teeth marks, white greasy coating. Pulse: Wiry and tight, or slow and soggy if Dampness predominates.
Treatment principle: Dispels Wind-Dampness, relieves painful obstruction and supplements the Liver and Kidneys.
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.
4. Painful Obstruction Due to Damp-Heat in the Channels
Clinical manifestations: Burning pain, worse with heat; redness and swelling that feels hot to the touch; a heavy, aching sensation; thirst with dark, scanty urine; irritability and restlessness; worse in hot, humid weather.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen, yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery and rapid, may be soggy or wiry.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat, dries Dampness, strengthens the Spleen and resolves Dampness.
Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Painful-Obstruction/Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent again — no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: Cold, aching pain in the lower back and knees; a cold feeling especially in the lower back and legs; frequent urination, especially at night; fatigue and low spirits; a pale complexion; worse in cold or damp weather and with overwork.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender, teeth-marked, wet white coating. Pulse: Deep, slow, weak, especially at the rear position.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Kidney Yang, benefits Essence, fills the marrow and warms the Gate of Life Fire.
Note: moxa is strongly indicated.
Clinical manifestations: A dull, sore lower back pain, worse with overwork or prolonged standing, better with rest; night sweats; hot palms and soles; a dry mouth and throat; dizziness or tinnitus; weakness in the knees.
Tongue: Red, thin, little or no coating, dry surface, possible cracks. Pulse: Fine and rapid, weak at the left rear position.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Kidney Yin, benefits Essence, fills the marrow and nourishes Blood.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs).