Wu Gong Scolopendra subspinipes 1 pieceExplanation
- Shu Di, Gou Ji, Huai Niu Xi and Bai Shao nourish Liver and Kidneys and benefit
sinews and bones. - Gui Zhi and Xi Xin scatter Cold and warm the channels.
- Cang Zhu and Yi Yi Ren drain Dampness and resolve swelling.
- Luo Shi Teng expels Wind-Dampness and removes obstructions from the channels.
- Can Sha and Wu Gong expel Wind, resolve Dampness, remove obstructions from the
channels and stop pain.
Case History 23.5
Painful Obstruction Syndrome: Dampness-Female, Age 36
A 36-year-old woman had been suffering from rheumathoid arthritis for 2 years. The acute stage
lasted 2 weeks during which she had a fever and her small joints became swollen, hot and
painful. After the acute attack, some of the pain and swelling subsided, but never completely.
When she came for the consultation two years later her small joints were swollen and sore but
not very hot to the touch. In the mornings she ached everywhere including the lower back and
she was very stiff. After 1-2 hours, the stiffness and general ache usually subsided except from
the hands. Apart from this problem, her periods were regular and the flow was rather scanty. She
occasionally experienced tingling of her legs and some floaters in her eyes. Sometimes she
sweated at night and experienced some tinnitus. Her tongue was slightly Pale with swollen sides
and the root had no spirit. Her pulse was generally Weak, particularly on both Rear positions.
Diagnosis The original attack 2 years previously was a typical acute attack of Heat
Painful Obstruction Syndrome characterized by invasion of Wind,
Dampness and Heat in the joints. The condition as it presented at the
time of the consultation was characterized by Damp Painful Obstruction
Syndrome against an underlying deficiency of Qi and Blood and of
Kidney-Qi. It was a type of Sinews-Bones Painful Obstruction
Syndrome at the middle-late stage. The Kidney deficiency is evidenced
by the backache in the mornings, the occasional night-sweating and
tinnitus, the lack of spirit on the root of the tongue and the Weak pulse
on both Kidney positions. The deficiency of Blood causes the
occasional floaters and tingling of the limbs, while the deficiency of
Spleen-Qi is shown by the swelling on the sides of the tongue.