LIMBS

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LIMBS

Chapter contents

MUSCLE ACHE IN THE LIMBS

Interrogation, Chapter 39

Dampness in the muscles

Muscle ache, a feeling of heaviness of the limbs, a feeling of heaviness in general, lassitude, sleepiness, epigastric fullness, sticky tongue coating, Slippery pulse.

Other symptoms and signs depend on whether the Dampness is associated with Cold or Heat.

Phlegm-Heat in the muscles

Muscle ache, a feeling of heaviness of the limbs, numbness/tingling of the limbs, sputum in the throat, a feeling of oppression of the chest, thirst without a desire to drink, Swollen tongue with sticky yellow coating, Slippery-Rapid pulse.

Liver-Qi stagnation

Distending muscle ache, hypochondrial or epigastric distension, irritability, moodiness, a feeling of a lump in the throat, premenstrual tension, Wiry pulse.

Liver-Blood deficiency

Dull muscle ache which is aggravated by physical exertion, dizziness, blurred vision, floaters, numbness/tingling of limbs, scanty menstruation, dull-pale complexion, Pale tongue, Choppy or Fine pulse.

• Dampness is by far the most common cause of muscle ache. This is a common symptom in postviral fatigue syndrome.

PAIN IN THE LIMBS

Interrogation, Chapter 39

Wind

Wandering pain in the joints that may come and go, especially in the upper part of the body.

This pattern is Wind Painful Obstruction Syndrome and, in acute cases, the pulse is Floating.

Cold

Pain in the joints that is aggravated by exposure to cold and alleviated by application of heat, usually in one joint only, cold limbs.

This is Cold Painful Obstruction Syndrome and, in acute cases, the pulse is Tight.

Dampness

Pain in the joints with swelling, a feeling of heaviness, numbness of the limbs.

This is Damp Painful Obstruction Syndrome and, in acute cases, the pulse is Slippery.

Damp-Heat

Pain in the joints with swelling and redness, hot to touch, a feeling of heaviness and numbness of the limbs, Red tongue with sticky yellow coating, Slippery-Rapid pulse.

Qi and Blood deficiency

Chronic, dull ache in the joints that is aggravated when tired and alleviated by rest, poor appetite, loose stools, weak voice, tiredness, blurred vision, dizziness, numbness/tingling of limbs, palpitations, dull-pale complexion, Pale tongue, Weak or Choppy pulse.

Liver and Kidney deficiency

Dull ache in the joints especially in the lower part of the body, weak knees, dizziness, lower backache, tinnitus.

Other clinical manifestations, including tongue and pulse, depend on whether there is Yin or Yang deficiency.

HANDS AND FEET

Cold hands and feet

Interrogation, Chapter 39

Yang deficiency

Coldness of hands and feet, the cold feeling extending to arms and legs, feeling of cold in general, bright-pale complexion, Pale tongue, Deep-Weak pulse.

These are the symptoms of a general Yang deficiency and other manifestations depend on the organ involved, which may be the Heart, Lungs, Spleen or Kidneys.

Blood deficiency

Coldness of hands and feet, numbness/tingling of the limbs, blurred vision, dizziness, insomnia, Pale tongue, Choppy or Fine pulse.

This pattern is much more common in women and it may be due to either Liver-Blood or Heart-Blood deficiency.

Qi stagnation

Coldness of hands and feet, especially of the fingers and toes, hypochondrial or epigastric distension, irritability, moodiness, a feeling of a lump in the throat, premenstrual tension, Wiry pulse.

Phlegm

Coldness of hands and feet, a feeling of heaviness of the limbs, numbness/tingling of the limbs, a feeling of oppression of the chest, Swollen tongue, Slippery pulse.

Heat stagnating in the Interior (True Heat-False Cold)

Coldness of hands and feet, dark face, bright eyes with lustre, dry red lips, irritability, strong body, breathing noisy, loud voice, thirst with a desire to drink cold fluids, scanty dark urine, constipation, a burning sensation in the anus, coldness of the limbs, hot chest, a feeling of heat of the face, red face, mental restlessness, thirst, Red tongue, Rapid pulse.

This pattern is quite rare and the cold hands and feet are due to Heat stagnating in the Interior and preventing Qi from reaching the extremities.

• Cold hands and feet are a reliable indication of Yang deficiency or Cold. In women, do not be surprised if this symptom is accompanied by a feeling of heat of the face.

Hot hands and feet

Interrogation, Chapter 39

Damp-Heat

Heat in hands and feet, sweating of hands and feet, swollen, red and hot joints of the hands and feet, a feeling of heaviness and numbness of the limbs, Red tongue with sticky yellow coating, Slippery-Rapid pulse.

Heart and Kidney-Yin deficiency with Empty-Heat

Heat in hands and feet, or in palms and soles, palpitations, mental restlessness, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety, poor memory, dizziness, tinnitus, hardness of hearing, lower backache, a feeling of heat in the evening, night sweating, five-palm heat, scanty dark urine, dry stools, Red tongue with redder tip and a Heart crack, Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse.

Stomach-Heat

Heat in hands and feet, burning epigastric pain, thirst, sour regurgitation, nausea, excessive hunger, foul breath, a feeling of heat, Red tongue with a yellow coating, Overflowing-Rapid pulse.

Stomach-Yin deficiency with Empty-Heat

Heat in hands and feet worse in the afternoon, dull or burning epigastric pain, a feeling of heat in the afternoon, dry stools, dry mouth and throat especially in the afternoon, thirst with a desire to drink in small sips, a feeling of hunger but no desire to eat, night sweating, five-palm heat, bleeding gums, Red tongue without coating in the centre, Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse.

ABNORMAL FEELINGS IN THE LIMBS

Numbness/tingling of the limbs

Interrogation, Chapter 39

Liver-Blood deficiency

Tingling and weakness of the limbs, dizziness, blurred vision, floaters, numbness/tingling of limbs, scanty menstruation, dull-pale complexion, Pale tongue, Choppy or Fine pulse.

Phlegm in the limbs

Numbness of the limbs, a feeling of heaviness of the limbs, tendency to obesity, Swollen tongue, Slippery pulse.

Wind-Phlegm

Numbness of the limbs, especially the upper limbs and often unilateral, a feeling of heaviness of the limbs, tremor, dizziness, headache, Swollen and Stiff tongue, Wiry-Slippery pulse.

Liver-Wind

Numbness of the limbs, especially the upper limbs and often unilateral, tremors, severe dizziness, tinnitus, headache, numbness of the limbs, tics, Stiff, Deviated or Moving tongue, Wiry pulse.

Dampness

Numbness of the limbs, especially the legs, pain in the joints with swelling, muscle ache, a feeling of heaviness, sticky tongue coating, Slippery pulse.

Damp-Heat

Numbness of the limbs, especially the lower limbs, ache, redness, heat and swelling of the joints, muscle ache, Red tongue with sticky yellow coating, Slippery-Rapid pulse.

Qi stagnation and Blood stasis

Numbness/tingling of the limbs, stiffness and pain of the limbs, dark complexion, Purple tongue.

Invasion of Wind-Cold

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