↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
1. Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Clinical manifestations: Joint pain worse in cold and damp weather; heaviness and numbness in the limbs; stiffness and difficulty moving; aversion to cold or wind; swollen joints without redness.
Tongue: Pale, slightly swollen, tooth-marked, white greasy coat. Pulse: Wiry and tight, or soggy and slow.
Treatment principle: Expels Wind, disperses Cold and transforms Dampness from the channels and joints.
Note: moxa is appropriate. This site's decks have no Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent many times — no pattern link is given here.
2. Painful Obstruction due to Damp-Heat in the Channels
Clinical manifestations: Joints red, swollen and hot to the touch; heavy, aching sensation; pain better with cold and worse with warmth; thirst; dark urine; irritability.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen, yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat and dries Dampness from the channels and lower body.
Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent many times — no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: Dull, heavy stiffness; weakness and heaviness in the limbs, especially the legs; fatigue worse after meals; poor appetite; bloating; loose stools; sallow or pale complexion.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Weak and soft.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Spleen Qi, raises Yang and lifts sunken Qi to nourish the muscles.
Note: moxa is appropriate. Linked to this site's own Stomach-and-Spleen-Qi-deficiency slide.
Clinical manifestations: Sudden limb weakness; dry cough with scanty phlegm; thirst for cold drinks; fever or a sensation of body heat; irritability; rapid, coarse breathing.
Tongue: Red, dry yellow coat. Pulse: Rapid, may be slippery or overflowing.
Treatment principle: Clears Lung Heat, moistens dryness and restores the Lungs' distribution of fluids.
Note: no moxa.