↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Deep, dull ache in the lower back and knees; weakness and soreness in the bones and joints; premature graying; poor memory; frequent night-time urination.
Tongue: Pale, thin, fine cracks, little or no coating. Pulse: Deep and fine, weak at the rear positions.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Kidney Essence and marrow to strengthen the bones.
Note: moxa is appropriate.
Clinical manifestations: Dull, aching joint pain worse at night; night sweats with heat in the palms and soles; dry eyes; soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees.
Tongue: Red, thin, cracked, little or no coating, dry. Pulse: Fine, rapid and wiry, weak at the left rear position.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin while clearing deficiency Heat.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs).
3. Qi and Blood Stagnation
Clinical manifestations: Sharp, stabbing pain at a fixed joint; pain worse with pressure or use; history of injury or repetitive strain.
Tongue: Dark purple with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry and choppy.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood and Qi, removes stasis and unblocks the channels.
Note: no moxa. No combined Qi-and-Blood-stagnation slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: Dull, aching bone pain; fatigue and heaviness in the limbs; poor appetite with bloating; loose stools; a pale, slightly sallow complexion.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender, tooth-marked, thin white coating. Pulse: Deficient and soft, weak at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Spleen Qi to restore the production of Qi and Blood that nourishes the bones.
Note: moxa is appropriate.
5. Painful Obstruction due to Damp-Heat in the Channels
Clinical manifestations: Joint pain with redness and heat; a heavy, aching sensation in the limbs; swollen, hot joints; pain worse with warmth, better with cold; irritability.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen, yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery and rapid, may be soggy.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat and dries Dampness; unblocks the channels and relieves the obstruction.
Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent many times — no pattern link is given here.
6. Cold Invading the Channels, Joints and Muscles
Clinical manifestations: Deep, stabbing pain fixed in one spot; the joint feels icy cold; pain worse with cold, improves with warmth; stiffness that eases after warming.
Tongue: Pale, thin white coat, moist surface. Pulse: Tight and wiry, possibly slow.
Treatment principle: Warms the channels and disperses Cold; restores Qi and Blood circulation.
Note: moxa is strongly indicated.