↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
1. Wind-Cold-Damp
Clinical manifestations: Numbness or tingling in the limbs, joint and muscle pain worse in cold or damp, heaviness and stiffness of the limbs, aversion to cold and wind, pain improves with warmth, wandering joint pain.
Tongue: E Pulse: x
Treatment principle: pale or slightly swollen body with white greasy coating and moist surface,moderate or slow, often tight, may be floating or soggy
2. Toxic-Heat Stagnation
Clinical manifestations: Red, swollen, hot nodules or plaques, pus discharge or abscess formation, high fever, intense thirst with desire for cold drinks, restlessness and irritability, dark scanty urine or constipation.
Tongue: P Pulse: u
Treatment principle: deep red or crimson body, prickly papillae, thick dry yellow coating,rapid and forceful, may be overflowing
3. Phlegm in the Channels, Joints and Muscles
Clinical manifestations: Firm joint swelling that feels hard to the touch, hard lumps or nodules under the skin, purplish discolouration of the skin around affected joints, stubborn numbness or heavy sensation in the limbs, fixed stabbing pain in joints or muscles.
Tongue: D Pulse: i
Treatment principle: purple body with stasis spots, white greasy coating, distended sublingual veins,wiry and choppy, or wiry and slippery if Phlegm predominates
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain that worsens at night, dark red or purple skin patches possibly ulcerated, hard lumps or nodules under the skin, pain worse with pressure.
Tongue: I Pulse: n
Treatment principle: purple or dusky body with possible stasis spots, distended dark sublingual veins, thin white coat,choppy or wiry
5. Qi and Blood Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: Pale, poorly healing skin lesions, persistent fatigue and weakness, numbness or tingling in the limbs, sallow complexion and pale lips, dizziness or heart palpitations.
Tongue: T Pulse: o
Treatment principle: pale body, may be thin or have teeth marks, thin white coating,fine, weak, may feel empty
6. Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: Burning, painful ulcers that worsen at night, afternoon or evening low-grade fever, heat sensation in the palms, soles and chest, dry mouth and throat with desire to sip water, flushed cheekbones.
Tongue: N Pulse: o
Treatment principle: red, thin, dry body with cracks, little or no coating,fine and rapid