Painful Obstruction Syndrome means obstruction ... Wind-Cold-Dampness
obstruct the channels, Qi and Blood cannot circulate properly. Wind moves and
changes rapidly and causes Wandering Painful Obstruction Syndrome. Cold (a
Yin pathogenic factor) invades the muscles, tendons and bones, it gathers and
knots and is difficult to disperse; this obstructs the movement of Yang-Qi which
causes severe pain and hence Painful Obstruction Syndrome. Fixed Painful
Obstruction Syndrome [is characterized by] heaviness, obstruction to circulation
and pain caused by Dampness in the muscles.5(445)There are therefore three main types according to causative factor.
Wind Painful Obstruction Syndrome (or Wandering Painful Obstruction
Syndrome)
This is caused by Wind and is characterized by soreness and pain of muscles and joints,
limitation of movement, with the pain moving from joint to joint. In acute cases the pulse would
be Floating and slightly Rapid.
Damp Painful Obstruction Syndrome (or Fixed Painful Obstruction
Syndrome)
This is caused by Dampness and is characterized by pain, soreness and swelling in muscles and
joints with a feeling of heaviness and numbness of the limbs, the pain being fixed in one place
and aggravated by damp weather. In acute cases the pulse would be Slow and slightly Slippery.
Cold Painful Obstruction Syndrome (or Aching Painful Obstruction
Syndrome)
This is caused by Cold and is characterized by a severe pain in a joint or muscle with limitation
of movement, usually unilateral. In acute cases the pulse is Tight.
Heat Painful Obstruction Syndrome
This originates from any of the previous three types when the exterior pathogenic factor turns
into Heat in the Interior and gives rise to Heat Painful Obstruction Syndrome. This happens
especially with an underlying deficiency of Yin.
It is characterized by pain and heat in the joints which feel hot to the touch, redness and swelling
of joints, limitation of movement and severe pain. In acute cases there would be thirst, a fever
which does not abate after sweating and a Slippery and Rapid pulse.