↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
1. Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
Clinical manifestations: Joint pain with redness, heat and swelling; pain relieved by cold and aggravated by warmth; a heavy aching sensation in the limbs; a fever or bodily heat sensation; irritability and restlessness.
Tongue: Red, yellow greasy coating, possibly slightly swollen. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.
Treatment principle: Clear Heat and drain Dampness, unblock the channels, relieve the painful obstruction.
Note: Confirmed absent again: this site's own Arthritis page leaves the identically-named pattern unlinked for the same reason.
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain that does not move; pain worse at night and with pressure; local swelling or a palpable hard lump.
Tongue: Dark purple or dusky with stasis spots, distended dark sublingual veins. Pulse: Choppy, or wiry if Qi stagnation is also present.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood and dispel stasis, nourish Blood, restore smooth flow.
3. Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Clinical manifestations: Deep achy pain that is worse in cold and damp weather; joint stiffness and limited movement; heaviness or numbness in the limb; swelling without redness or heat; an aversion to cold or wind.
Tongue: Pale, slightly swollen with teeth marks, white greasy moist coating. Pulse: Wiry and tight, or soggy if Dampness predominates.
Treatment principle: Dispel Wind-Dampness, tonify Qi, harmonize Protective and Nutritive Qi.
Note: Confirmed absent again: this site's own Arthritis page leaves the identically-named pattern unlinked for the same reason.
4. Phlegm in the Channels, Joints and Muscles
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing joint pain; swelling that feels firm or hard; purplish or dark discolouration around the joint; subcutaneous nodules or hard lumps; stubborn numbness or a heavy sensation in the limbs.
Tongue: Purple with stasis spots, white greasy coating, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Wiry and choppy, or wiry and slippery if Phlegm predominates.
Treatment principle: Dry Dampness and transform Phlegm, unblock the channels by dissolving Phlegm and invigorating Blood.
Note: Confirmed absent again: this site's own Arthritis and Ankle Stiffness pages leave the identically-named pattern unlinked for the same reason.
5. Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
Clinical manifestations: A dull heavy ache in the bursa; puffy, non-red swelling; worse with damp weather or after heavy meals; loose stools and abdominal bloating; fatigue and heaviness in the limbs.
Tongue: Pale, swollen with teeth marks, white greasy moist coating. Pulse: Soggy and slowed, lacking force.
Treatment principle: Tonify Qi, strengthen the Spleen, drain Dampness.
Note: Confirmed absent again: standalone Spleen-Deficiency-with-Dampness has no matching deck slide on this site.
Clinical manifestations: Dull, chronic joint pain that feels better with rest; night sweats and heat in the palms soles and chest; soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees; dry mouth and throat, especially at night.
Tongue: Red, thin with little or no coating, dry surface, possible cracks. Pulse: Fine and rapid, weak at the left rear position.
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney-Yin, supplement Liver and Spleen Yin, benefit the essence.