should take immediate steps to avoid overwork, take adequate rest, reduce sexual activity and
avoid eating greasy-fried food and drinking alcohol. Emotionally, it is important to overcome
anger, hatred, resentment or repressed animosity which would stir up the rising of Liver-Yang.

When the above symptoms and signs are present, direct moxibustion on G.B.-39 Xuanzhong and
ST-36 Zusanli can also be used.

The earliest discussion of Atrophy Syndrome occurs in chapter 44 of the "Simple Questions".
There, it is called Wei Bi. The Chinese term Wei means "withered" and, in Chinese medicine, it
refers to a condition characterized by "withering" of muscles and tendons from lack of
nourishment. The term Bi suggests inability to walk because the foot cannot be lifted properly.

Thus, Atrophy Syndrome is a condition characterized by a weakness of the four limbs,
progressively leading to atrophy, a limp state of muscles and tendons, an inability to walk
properly and eventually paralysis. This weakness generally occurs without pain. Multiple
sclerosis and the paralysis following an attack of poliomyelitis are examples of Atrophy
Syndrome.

Aetiology and Pathology

The "Simple Questions" in chapter 44 describes five types of Atrophy Syndrome, one for each
Yin organ and its related tissue, i.e. Atrophy Syndrome of skin (Lungs), muscles (Spleen), blood
vessels (Heart), tendons (Liver) and bones (Kidneys).1(524) The book attributes each of these to
Heat drying up the body fluids and leading to withering of skin, muscles, blood vessels, sinews
and bones. Although this classification of Atrophy Syndrome is not generally followed any
longer, it is still significant as, for example, in its beginning stages, Atrophy Syndrome is
characterized by injury of skin and muscles (and therefore Lungs and Spleen), and, in the late
stages, by deterioration of sinews and bones and therefore of Liver and Kidneys.

The idea of Heat drying up body fluids and injuring muscles and sinews is also important.