Middle stage: swelling and pain of joints, contraction of tendons, limitation of
joint movement.
Late stage: pain from buttocks to heels and from lower back to occiput.
The treatment principle also varies according to the stage:
Beginning stage: resolve Dampness, remove obstructions from the channels and
penetrate the Connecting channels.
Middle stage: resolve Dampness, remove obstructions from the channels and
tonify Qi and Blood.
Late stage: resolve Dampness, remove obstructions from the channels, move
Blood and expel Wind (use insects).
The formulae suggested are outlined below.
Beginning Stage
One must distinguish between a Cold- and a Heat-type.
Cold Type Prescription
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae 9 g
Cang Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis lanceae 9 g
Qiang Huo Radix et Rhizoma Notopterygii 9 g
Du Huo Radix Angelicae pubescentis 9 g
Gui Zhi Ramulus Cinnamomi cassiae 4.5 g
Fu Zi Radix Aconiti carmichaeli praeparata 6 g
Fang Feng Radix Ledebouriellae sesloidis 6 g
Explanation
- Bai Zhu and Cang Zhu drain Dampness.
- Qiang Huo and Du Huo expel Wind-Dampness and remove obstructions from the
channels. - Gui Zhi and Fu Zi scatter Cold.