LOW BACK AND KNEE PAIN, LUMBAR PAIN, LUMBAGO

Clinical Manifestations
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Acute lower back ache, unrelieved by changing position or stretching
  • The pain is often accompanied by hypertonicity and a cold sensation in the low back
  • Wandering pain in the back and leg
  • Soreness or itching of the throat
  • Aversion to Wind and Cold
  • Tight sensation and tender points in the back area
  • Limitation of movement
  • When turning from side to side the pain may radiate to the upper back and make turning difficult
  • Stiffness and spasm of the back muscles
  • Symptoms are relieved by warmth and exacerbated by Wind-Cold
  • Fever and chills
  • Shivering
  • Stiff neck
  • Occipital headache
  • Cough with expectoration of thin, watery or frothy white sputum
  • Anhidrosis
  • No thirst
  • Aversion to Wind
  • Blocked and / or runny nose with clear, watery nasal discharge
  • Sneezing
  • General body aches
  • Maybe asthma
  • T: Pink
  • C: Thin, white and moist
  • P: Floating and tight or Floating and soggy
Treatment Principle
  • Expel Wind
  • Dispel Cold
  • Ventilate the Lungs
  • Resolve Phlegm
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Hemiplegia
  • Asymmetry of the face
  • Slow and slurred speech
  • Fever and chills
  • Semi-consciousness
  • Convulsions
  • Neck rigidity
  • Limited movement of the joints
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Low back pain
  • Numbness of the muscles and skin
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Floating and Deficient or Tense or Wiry and tense
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the channels
  • Unblock Yang
  • Dispel Wind
  • Support the Normal Qi
  • Relax spasms
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Fever and chills with fever increasing and chills decreasing
  • Headache
  • Anhidrosis
  • Stiffness and pain of the extremities
  • Orbital pain
  • Eye pain
  • Shoulder and neck tension
  • Lumbago
  • Dry nasal passages
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal fullness
  • Fever
  • Tenesmus
  • Vomiting
  • Thirst
  • Epistaxis
  • T: Normal
  • C: Thin and yellow
  • P: Floating and slightly flooding
Treatment Principle
  • Dispel Wind
  • Release the muscle layer
  • Clear Interior Heat
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Long standing cold hands and feet that are cold to the touch and feel cold to the patient
  • Maybe lumbago and leg pain
  • Abdominal pain and distention
  • Midline pain
  • Uterine pain
  • Chills
  • Diarrhea
  • Menstrual abdominal pain
  • Maybe chest pain
  • Increased sweating, particularly of the feet
  • Increased salivation
  • Vomits clear fluid
  • Vertex headache
  • Body cold
  • Diarrhea
  • Spasm and pain of the limbs
  • Scanty urination
  • Pain at the waist, hips, legs and feet
  • Sciatica
  • Joint pain
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Abdominal Cold
  • Migraine headache
  • Vaginal discharge
  • T: Pale
  • C: White
  • P: Deep and thready (may be almost imperceptible).
Treatment Principle
  • Warm Yang especially in the Liver and Stomach
  • Descend turbidity
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Acute lower back pain or Heat, unrelieved by changing position or stretching
  • Cough with thick, sticky, yellow sputum
  • Sore, red, swollen throat
  • Thirst with a desire to drink cold liquids
  • Runny or blocked nose with thick, yellow discharge
  • Fever with perspiration
  • Slight chills
  • Aversion to Wind
  • Headache
  • Maybe dyspnea with flared nostrils
  • Maybe chest pain
  • T: Red tip
  • C: Thin and yellow
  • P: Superficial and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Expel Wind
  • Clear Heat
  • Ventilate the Lungs
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Acute lower back pain, heaviness or ache and stiffness, unrelieved by changing position or stretching
  • Usually occurs after exposure to cold, damp weather
  • Generalized sensation of heaviness in the body
  • The pain can radiate to the lower extremities
  • Headache or foggy headedness
  • Mild fever and chills
  • Aversion to Wind
  • Maybe mild superficial edema
  • Worse in damp weather
  • Pronounced numbness in the lower extremities
  • Spontaneous perspiration
  • T: Normal
  • C: Thin and white or Greasy, thin and white
  • P: Floating or Floating and wiry
Treatment Principle
  • Expel Wind-Damp
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Muscle aches
  • Joint pain
  • Radiating pain in the legs
  • Low back pain
  • Edema
  • Numbness in the lower extremities
  • Pain in the trunk and extremities
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sciatica
  • Aversion to Wind and Cold
  • Knee pain
  • T: Pale or Pink with purple spots
  • C: Normal
  • P: Choppy or Taut
Treatment Principle
  • Unblock and relax the channels
  • Activate the Blood
  • Break up Blood Stasis
  • Dispel Wind-Dampness
  • Strengthen the tendons
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain
  • The pain is accompanied by Cold and heavy sensations in the low back as if sitting in water and carrying some weight
  • The sensations are aggravated by col-Damp weather and alleviated by warmth
  • There may be body heaviness and numbness
  • The joints may feel sore and inhibited when bending or stretching
  • No thirst
  • Loose stools
  • T: Pale
  • C: Slimy and white
  • P: Soft and moderate
Treatment Principle
  • Scatter Cold
  • Transform Dampness
Herb Formulas
Points
  • Moxa or moxa needle GB-38, SP-9, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24
    For severe pain with cold limbs: + moxa or moxa needle DU-4
    With lower limb pain: + UB-58
    For severe pain with cold limbs: + KI-7
    For oppression and distention in the Stomach: + UB-21
Clinical Manifestations
  • Migrating pain in the joints especially the :
    Shoulders
    Elbows
    Knees
    Wrists
    Fingers
    Upper back and neck
  • Multiple joints
  • Pain quality changes
  • May move from soreness to numbness to aching
  • Sensitivity varies
  • Pain often appears abruptly, acutely or paroxysmal and then disappears
  • Limited range of motion
  • Chills and fever
  • Aversion to Wind
  • Symptoms are worse in windy weather
  • Sore throat
  • General body aches
  • Maybe perspiration
  • T: Pink
  • C: Thin and white or Sticky and yellow
  • P: Superficial and moderate
Treatment Principle
  • Eliminate Wind
  • Warm Cold
  • Expel Damp
  • Clear the Channels
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Numbness and heaviness of the extremities
  • Soreness and fixed pain of joints
  • Stiffness or numbness of the muscles or skin
  • Pain worse on cloudy or rainy days
  • Maybe peripheral or systemic edema
  • Pain is alleviated by pressure and warmth
  • Pain lingers and is recalcitrant to treatment
  • Worse during cloudy or wet weather
  • Limited movement
  • Edema
  • Maybe stifling sensation in chest
  • Maybe anorexia or indigestion
  • Maybe abdominal distention
  • Maybe loose or semi-liquid stools
  • T: Pink or Pale
  • C: Greasy and white
  • P: Slow, moderate and soft
Treatment Principle
  • Expel Damp
  • Clear the channels
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Excruciating sharp, stabbing joint pain
  • Pain alleviated by warmth and aggravated by Cold
  • Pain with fixed location
  • Few joints are involved
  • The joints cannot be flexed or extended
  • No local redness or Heat
  • Painful area often feels cold to the touch
  • Pain worse at night and better during the day
  • Pain mostly affects low back and lower extremities
  • Pain intense but short lived
  • Pain changes over days or weeks
  • Ankylosis (stiffness) of joint
  • Aversion to Cold
  • Maybe chills with a slight fever
  • Anhidrosis
  • Frequent nocturnal urination
  • T: Pink or Pale
  • C: Thin and white (thicker than for Wind-Bi)
  • P: Superficial and tight or Wiry and tight - maybe slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the channels
  • Activate Qi and Blood.
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • General pain
  • Painful extremities
  • Lumbago
  • Limitation of movement
  • Aversion to Wind and Damp
  • Heaviness of the body
  • Moving pain
  • Poor appetite
  • Loose stools or
  • Diarrhea
  • T: Normal
  • C: Thin, white and greasy
  • P: Floating and slippery
Treatment Principle
  • Dispel Wind-Cold-Damp
  • Stop pain
  • Relieve spasms
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chills and fever (more chills than fever)
  • Anhidrosis
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Generalized aches and pains
  • Low back pain
  • Slight thirst
  • A bitter taste in the mouth
  • T: Normal
  • C: White
  • P: Floating
Treatment Principle
  • Induce sweating
  • Expel Wind-Cold
  • Dispel Dampness
  • Drain Interior Heat
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Aversion to Wind, Cold and Dampness
  • Stiff and painful muscles and joints
  • Limited movement
  • Pain aggravated by Wind
  • Sensitive to climatic changes
  • Pain aggravated by Cold
  • Numbness of muscles
  • Pain aggravated by Dampness
  • Cold joints
  • Pain worse at night
  • Low back pain or soreness
  • Lumbago
  • Fatigue
  • Heaviness of the body
  • Heaviness of the muscles
  • Preference for warmth
  • Weak joints
  • Palpitations
  • Pale face
  • Joint deformity
  • Shortness of breath
  • Preference for dry weather
  • T: Pale or Purplish
  • C: Thin, white and greasy
  • P: Thready and weak or Thready and slippery
Treatment Principle
  • Dispel Wind-Cold-Damp
  • Tonify Qi
  • Strengthen the tendons
  • Nourish and Activate the Blood
  • Break up Blood Stasis
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points

Clinical Manifestations
  • Painful joints
  • Heavy and painful sensations at fixed locations in lower back and extremities with weakness and stiffness or hypertonicity and immobility
  • Aversion to Cold
  • Attraction to warmth
  • Palpitations
  • Pain in the midline and back during pregnancy
  • Pain worse at night General coldness
  • Sallow complexion
  • Wandering pain
  • Pale complexion
  • Shortness of breath
  • May be paresthesia and numbness
  • Cold pain in the low back and knees
  • Limited movement
  • Soreness, weakness and numbness of the joints
  • Tinnitus
  • Muscle spasms
  • Dizziness
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white or White and moist
  • P: Thin, weak and slow or Deep, thready and weak or slippery
Treatment Principle
  • Disperse Wind-Dampness
  • Stop Bi pain
  • Tonify the Kidneys and Liver
  • Tonify Qi
  • Nourish the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • High fever accompanied by severe chills and shivering
  • Aversion to Cold
  • Pain worse at night
  • Difficult movement
  • Local inflammation
  • Migratory pain
  • Soreness and pain of the extremities
  • Nasal congestion with sonorous breathing
  • Anhidrosis
  • Pain and stiffness of the head and neck
  • Focal distention and fullness of the chest and diaphragm
  • A productive cough
  • May have numbness and heaviness in the limbs
  • Body aches
  • Lumbago
  • Nasal obstruction
  • Cough with sputum
  • Stuffy nose
  • Joint pain
  • Pain worse with Cold and better with warmth
  • Pain aggravated by Wind
  • Pain aggravated by Dampness
  • Pain is stabbing
  • Muscle weakness
  • Pain alleviated by movement
  • Slight muscle edema
  • Heaviness of the joints
  • Cold joints
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • T: Pale or Slightly purple or Purple spots
  • C: White or thin, white, greasy
  • P: Slippery or Slightly superficial or Superficial and soft or Slightly rough or Slow and Soft or Wiry and tight or Superficial and rapid that is forceless under pressure
Treatment Principle
  • Release the Exterior
  • Augment Qi
  • Remove Wind-Cold-Damp
  • Eliminate Painful Obstruction
  • Circulate Qi and Blood
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Leg pain
  • Preference for pressure and warmth
  • Pain worse at night
  • Limitation of joint movement
  • Local feeling of Cold
  • Stabbing pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Referred pain toward the legs
  • Lower back weakness
  • Nocturia
  • Stiffness of the back
  • Numbness of the legs
  • Feebleness of the knees
  • Tinnitus
  • T: Pale or Purplish
  • C: Thin and white or Thin, white and greasy
  • P: Slippery or Wiry or Thready
Treatment Principle
  • Dispel Wind-Cold-Damp
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Smooth the channels
  • Harmonize the collaterals
  • Benefit the muscles
  • Tonify Kidney Jing
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Rheumatic sciatica
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Lumbago
Treatment Principle
  • Disperse Wind-Dampness
  • Stop Bi pain
  • Tonify the Kidneys and Liver
  • Tonify Qi
  • Nourish the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain with a feeling of burning and heaviness
  • A hot sensation top the touch
  • Limitation of movement which is worse when exposed to warmth of hot compresses and alleviated by Cold
  • Dislike of pressure
  • Generalized body aches and pains
  • Irritability
  • Heavy sensation in the shoulder and back
  • Discomfort or a constricted sensation in the area of the chest and diaphragm
  • Multiple sores, carbuncles furuncles or abscesses
  • Redness
  • Itching
  • Persistent swelling
  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Thirst with no desire to drink
  • Aching and painful extremities
  • Aching and painful joints
  • Unbearable swelling and pain of the lower extremities
  • Shoulder stiffness
  • A greasy feeling in the mouth
  • Loose stools or
  • Diarrhea
  • Painful or scanty urination
  • T: Normal or Red
  • C: Greasy and slightly yellow
  • P: Wiry and rapid or Soft and moderate or Soft, superficial and slow or Slippery and rapid or Deep and tight or Floating, superficial and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Resolve Dampness
  • Clear Heat
  • Disperse Wind
  • Stop pain
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Tonify Qi and Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
  • GB-20, LI-2, LI-4, SJ-5, SJ-6, UB-40, UB-60
    With Dai channel obstruction low back heaviness, a feeling of tight belt around the waist, Warmth in the upper body with Cold in the lower body or vice versa, a feeling of sitting in a bath or pain radiating to the sides of the abdomen: + GB-26, GB-27, GB-41
    With pain radiating to the leg along the Bladder channel: + UB-36, UB-56, UB-63
    With pain radiating to the leg along the Gall Bladder channel: + GB-29, GB-30, GB-36, GB-40
    With pain radiating to the leg along the Stomach channel: + ST-30, ST-34, ST-40, ST-42
    With pain radiating to the leg along the Liver channel: + LIV-3, LIV-5, LIV-6, LIV-12
    With fever: + DU-14
    With generalized body pain, an aversion to Cold, a stiff neck and a sore throat: + UB-10, UB-12
    For coughing with yellow Phlegm: + UB-32, UB-53
    With a severe burning sensation in the lower back: + UB-67
    With a feeling of heaviness in the body: + SP-6
    With scanty, painful urination: + KI-4, KI-5
    With a poor appetite: + REN-12
    With diarrhea: + UB-20
Clinical Manifestations
  • Coughing and wheezing with copious, dilute, white, frothy or lumpy sputum
  • Chest and epigastric congestion
  • Cold legs
  • Pain and full feeling in the chest
  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Palpitations
  • Dyspnea - worse lying down
  • Sometimes asthma
  • Throat rattle
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Shortness of breath with labored inhalation and smooth exhalation
  • Acute attack of panting with a high pitched wheezing sound and rapid exhalation
  • Leg Qi
  • Acute cramping
  • Muscle wasting
  • Diarrhea in response to cold or hot weather
  • Maybe anorexia
  • Insensitivity in the lower abdomen
  • Headache
  • Facial edema
  • Palpitations
  • Lumbar pain
  • Weakness in the body and feet
  • Numbness, weakness and aching of the feet and legs
  • Edema of the extremities
  • Fever
  • Dysuria
  • Weakness below the umbilicus
  • Fatigue with a desire to curl up
  • Epigastric distention
  • Disorientation
  • Disordered speech
  • Tinnitus
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thick, white and greasy or sticky
  • P: Slippery or Soft
Treatment Principle
  • Disperse and Descend Lung Qi
  • Warm and transform Phlegm-Cold
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Unproductive cough or
  • Scanty, sticky phlegm or
  • Sometimes blood-streaked sputum
  • Dry mouth
  • Dry throat
  • Low back and knees sore and weak
  • "Steaming Bone" tidal fever
  • Night sweats
  • Malar flush
  • Maybe hoarse voice
  • Maybe pain in shin, foot, and heel
  • Sterility
  • Spermatorrhea
  • T: Red and dry
  • C: None
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish Yin
  • Moisten the Lungs
  • Reinforce the Kidneys
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic unremitting diarrhea
  • Chronic dysentery
  • Maybe fecal incontinence
  • Prolapsed rectum (severe)
  • Diarrhea may contain pus and Blood
  • May be tenesmus
  • Mild persistent abdominal pain
  • Pain better with warmth and pressure
  • Lethargy
  • Red or white dysentery
  • Reduced appetite
  • Weak legs
  • Low back soreness
  • Pale (wan) complexion
  • T: Pale
  • C: White
  • P: Thready and slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the Middle
  • Tonify the Spleen and Stomach
  • Astringe the Intestines
  • Stop diarrhea
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Lower back pain with sensations of heaviness and Stagnation
  • A pale complexion
  • Distention and fullness of epigastrium and abdomen
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Anorexia
  • Loose stools
  • Diarrhea
  • Reduced sensation of taste
  • No thirst or preference for hot drinks
  • Sticky sensation in mouth
  • Borborygmus
  • Lassitude
  • Yin jaundice
  • Heavy head
  • Maybe edema
  • Maybe copious white vaginal discharge
  • Maybe cold limbs, fear of Cold or feeling chilled
  • T: Pink
  • C: Thick, white and greasy or sticky
  • P: Deep and slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm Cold
  • Transform Dampness
  • Harmonize the Stomach
  • Strengthen the Spleen
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Aching and heaviness in the lower back
  • Poor muscle tone with flabby muscles
  • A tendency to be overweight
  • Poor posture
  • Sallow complexion
  • Fatigue
  • Anorexia
  • Four limbs feel tired and heavy
  • Abdominal and epigastric distention after eating
  • Maybe acid regurgitation or vomiting
  • Loose stools
  • Shortness of breath
  • T: Pale and flabby - may have teethmarks
  • C: White and greasy
  • P: Slippery or soft
Treatment Principle
  • Strengthen the Spleen
  • Benefit Qi
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Milky, turbid spermatorrhea
  • Listlessness
  • Fatigue
  • A shiny, white complexion
  • Anorexia or
  • Increased food intake
  • Restlessness
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Diarrhea
  • Dryness of the external ears
  • Dizziness
  • Enuresis
  • Copious urination
  • Thirst
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Lumbago
  • T: Pale
  • C: White
  • P: Deep and frail
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify the Kidneys
  • Stabilize Jing
  • Stop leakage
  • Strengthen the Spleen
  • Drain Dampness
Herb Formulas
Points

Clinical Manifestations
  • Body cold
  • Limbs icy
  • Complexion white and shiny
  • Low back, knees and abdomen feel cold and painful
  • Lower abdomen feels cold and painful
  • Loose stools containing undigested food
  • “Cock-crow” diarrhea (occurs at about 5 am)
  • Edema of face and limbs
  • Dysuria
  • Severe:
    Abdominal ascites
  • T: Pale, moist and swollen
  • C: Thin and white or White and greasy
  • P: Deep, thready, weak and maybe slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm and Reinforce the Spleen and Kidneys
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability
  • Thirst
  • Nocturnal emission
  • Insomnia
  • Dream disturbed sleep
  • Lack of spirit
  • Fatigue
  • Low back pain
  • Tinnitus
  • Dysuria
  • Depression
  • Turbid urine
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Polyuria
  • Enuresis
  • Seminal emission
  • Leukorrhea
  • Blood tinged leukorrhea
  • Anorexia
  • Dry mouth
  • Dry Tongue
  • Five Sole Heat
  • Fever
  • Physical and mental overexertion
  • T: Red
  • C: Little or None
  • P: Deep and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heart Fire
  • Disperse Damp-Heat
  • Benefit Qi and Yin
  • Promote urination
Herb Formulas
Points

Clinical Manifestations
  • Palpitations
  • Dysuria
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dyspnea
  • Dizziness
  • Muscular twitching
  • Whole body edema
  • Cold body
  • Icy limbs
  • Cold abdomen with watery stools
  • Edema of limbs
  • Cough
  • Pale complexion
  • Lips and nails cyanosed
  • Soreness and aching of the shoulders and back
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Pitting edema
  • Scanty urination or
  • Frequent, clear, abundant urination at night
  • Chills
  • Weak knees
  • Seminal emissions
  • Flaccid abdomen
  • Muscular aching
  • Chronic lower back pain
  • T: Pale or Purple (Lavender)
  • C: White and greasy
  • P: Deep or Deep and minute
Treatment Principle
  • Support Yang
  • Expel Cold
  • Promote diuresis
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Insomnia with much dreaming
  • Spermatorrhea with erotic dreams
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Irritability
  • Easily startled
  • Palpitations
  • Poor memory
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Low back soreness
  • Legs weak
  • Tidal fever
  • Night sweats
  • Dry mouth
  • Red cheeks
  • Urine short and red
  • T: Red
  • C: Little or None
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish Yin
  • Reduce Fire
  • Make Heart and Kidney communicate
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Vague pain in the lower abdomen involving the low back
  • Pain radiates down into the testicle
  • Abdominal distention
  • Borborygmus
  • Relief after passing wind
  • Hernia pain in the scrotum
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Deep and wiry or Wiry and tight
Treatment Principle
  • Move Qi
  • Expel knotting
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain which tends to be irritated by stress or emotional upset
  • Severe distention with mild pain in the back
  • The pain often radiates to the flanks, lower abdomen or hypochondriac region
  • The pain is vague and distending
  • The pain may move from place to place or come and go
  • The pain is worse at dawn but better after getting up and moving around
  • Range of motion is only slightly affected
  • Distention and pain in the sides or flanks
  • Suffocating sensation in the chest
  • Often accompanied by pain and distention hypochondrium and abdomen
  • Tenderness at the origin of the back muscles or ligaments
  • Muscular spasms on one side of the back or abdomen
  • Hypertonicity of the lower abdomen
  • Enduring standing is impossible
  • Tendency to sigh
  • Melancholy
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Nervousness
  • Insomnia
  • Headache
  • A poor appetite
  • Inappropriate anger
  • Irregular menses
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Loose stools when nervous
  • Breast distention and pain before and during menses
  • Distending pain in the genital region
  • T: Pink or Red or Dark or Pale
  • C: Thin and white or Thin and yellow
  • P: Wiry or Wiry and thready or Deep and wiry or Wiry and rapid or Wiry and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Soothe the Liver
  • Clear Stagnation
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Continuous cramping pain in the abdomen
  • Pain is not severe
  • Pain is relieved by pressure
  • Edema of the feet
  • Urinary difficulty
  • Slight edema (primarily of the lower limbs)
  • Symptoms generally occur during pregnancy
  • Pale face
  • Fatigue
  • Heaviness of head
  • Lassitude
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Lumbago
  • Edema
  • Abdominal pain with edema during pregnancy due to Blood Deficiency and abnormal water circulation
  • Oliguria
  • Palpitations
  • Cold feet
  • Extreme coldness of the hands and feet
  • Vertigo
  • Weakness and numbness of lower back and legs during pregnancy or postpartum
  • Mal position of the fetus
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Right upper quadrant pain
  • Hepatomegaly
  • Anemia
  • Lack of energy
  • Sore back
  • Thirst with no desire to drink
  • T: Pale or pink maybe petechiae on margin
  • C: Thin or Greasy white
  • P: Deep and weak or Soft, floating, small and slow or Wiry and small or Wiry and rough
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish Liver Blood
  • Soften the Liver
  • Spread Liver Qi
  • Strengthen the Spleen
  • Resolve Dampness
  • Reinforce the Spleen and Kidney
Herb Formulas
Points

Clinical Manifestations
  • Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
  • Problems with smell
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Tearing eyes
  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
  • Coughing
  • Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell
  • Sore throat
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Puffiness under the eyes
  • Fatigue and irritability
  • Headache
  • Memory problems and slowed thinking
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Pale, lusterless complexion
  • Pale nails
  • Pale lips
  • Generalized muscle tension
  • Irregular menstruation with little flow
  • Amenorrhea
  • Periumbilical pain
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Vertigo
  • Tinnitus
  • Lumbago
  • Blurred vision
  • Insomnia
  • Spotting of pale Blood
  • Postpartum uterine bleeding
  • Maybe Five Sole Heat
  • Delayed menstruation
  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Dry skin
  • Maybe leukorrhea
  • Maybe fever
  • Firm, painful abdomen
  • Sporadic fever and chills
  • Menorrhagia
  • Hard abdominal masses with recurrent pain
  • Unstable fetus with bleeding
  • Chills and fever
  • T: Pale
  • C: Normal
  • P: Thready and wiry or Thready and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish the Blood
  • Cool the Blood
  • Clear Heat
  • Regulate the Liver
  • Improve Blood circulation
Herb Formulas
Points

Clinical Manifestations
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle spasms with alternating flexion and extension of the extremities
  • Prostration
  • Clonic convulsions
  • Dizziness - worse with stress or anger
  • Insomnia
  • Dream-disturbed sleep
  • Sore low back and knees
  • Nocturnal emissions
  • Often the patient is on the verge of shock
  • Low-grade fever
  • T: Deep red
  • C: Thin or Peeled
  • P: Weak and faint
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish Yin
  • Extinguish Endogenous Wind
Herb Formulas
Points

Clinical Manifestations
  • Facial complexion pale and sallow
  • Both cheeks slightly red
  • Dizziness
  • Dry eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Spots before the eyes
  • Numbness of limbs
  • Flaccid paralysis (Wei syndrome), weakness
  • Tinnitus
  • Deafness
  • Forgetfulness
  • Low back and knees sore and painful
  • Throat dry and painful
  • Five sole Heat
  • Low-grade fever
  • Night sweats
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Stools difficult to pass
  • Constipation
  • Men:
    Spermatorrhea
  • Women:
    Irregular menses or
    Scanty menses or
    Amenorrhea
    Vaginal discharge
  • T: Red
  • C: None
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish and Reinforce the Liver and Kidneys
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Profuse dreaming
  • Low back and knee pain and weakness
  • Impotence
  • Seminal emissions
  • Dribbling urination
  • T: Pale
  • C: White
  • P: Thready and weak
Treatment Principle
  • Enrich and supplement the Liver and Kidneys
  • Tonify Jing
  • Brighten the eyes
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic lumbago: low back feels cold, weak and aching
  • The pain is dull and lingering
  • The symptoms are improved by massage and rest
  • Frequent recurrences
  • The pain is aggravated by exertion, prolonged standing, sexual activity and fatigue
  • Weak, sore legs and knees
  • Knees feel cold and aching
  • Heel pain
  • Feeling chilled
  • Aversion to Cold
  • shortness of breath
  • Cold limbs
  • General debility
  • Pale face
  • Loose teeth
  • Urinary frequency with abundant, clear urine or
  • Oliguria with edema
  • Maybe nocturia
  • Lassitude
  • Withdrawn, subdued behavior
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Impotence
  • Spermatorrhea
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Low libido
  • Female infertility ("uterus cold and infertile")
  • Maybe anorexia
  • Maybe loose stools
  • Maybe chronic diarrhea or "cock crow" diarrhea
  • T: Pale and swollen
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Deep and thready - maybe slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm and Reinforce Kidney Yang
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic lumbago: low back feels cold, weak and aching
  • The symptoms are improved by massage and rest
  • Frequent recurrences
  • The pain is aggravated by exertion, prolonged standing, sexual activity and fatigue
  • Weak, sore legs and knees
  • Hearing deficit
  • Jing Gate Not Consolidated:
    Spermatorrhea
    Premature ejaculation
    Vaginal discharge
    Infertility
  • Urinary disorder:
    Frequent, clear, abundant urination
    Dribbling after urination
    Incontinence of urine
  • T: Pale and swollen with teethmarks
  • C: Thin white
  • P: Deep and thready
Treatment Principle
  • Consolidate the Kidneys
  • Conserve Qi
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic lumbago: low back feels cold, weak and aching
  • The symptoms are improved by massage and rest
  • Frequent recurrences
  • The pain is aggravated by exertion, prolonged standing, sexual activity and fatigue
  • Weak, sore legs and knees
  • Edema of whole body particularly at and below the waist
  • Pitting edema
  • Low back pain, aching and heaviness
  • Abdominal distention with full sensations
  • Oliguria
  • Cold limbs
  • Face gray and congested or pale
  • Feeling nervous and cold with mental weariness
  • In severe cases:
    Ascites
    Edema of scrotum
  • T: Pale and swollen
  • C: Thin, white or Thick, white and sticky
  • P: Deep and thready
  • With Water Flooding the Lungs:
    Cough with copious, thin watery phlegm
    Asthma with phlegmy sound (wheezing)
    Dyspnea
    Facial edema
    Edema of limbs
    Dysuria
    T: Pale and swollen
    C: White and moist or White and greasy
    P: Superficial and tight
Treatment Principle
  • Warm Kidneys
  • Promote diuresis
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic lumbago: low back feels weak and aching
  • The symptoms are improved by massage and rest
  • Frequent recurrences
  • The pain is aggravated by exertion, prolonged standing, sexual activity and fatigue
  • Weak, sore legs and knees
  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Tinnitus or deafness
  • Insomnia
  • Poor memory
  • Aching, soreness or weakness of low back
  • Spermatorrhea or premature ejaculation
  • Aching in bones
  • Aching in leg and heel
  • T: Red
  • C: Little or None
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish Yin
  • Reinforce the Kidneys
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic lumbago: low back feels weak and aching
  • The symptoms are improved by massage and rest
  • Frequent recurrences
  • The pain is aggravated by exertion, prolonged standing, sexual activity and fatigue
  • Weak, sore legs and knees
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus or deafness
  • Poor memory
  • Aching, soreness or weakness of the low back
  • Spermatorrhea or
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Aching in the bones
  • Aching in the leg and heel
  • Sensitivity to Heat
  • Dry mouth
  • Thirst
  • Night sweats
  • Five Sole Heat
  • Malar flush
  • Low grade fever in the afternoon
  • Dry throat, maybe recurrent sore throat
  • Dry stools and/or
  • Constipation
  • Occasional urinary irritation or discomfort
  • Urine short and red
  • Heightened libido
  • If Heart Fire also Flares:
    Insomnia
    Frequent dreams
    Palpitations
  • If Liver Yang also Rises:
    Dizziness
    Blurred vision
  • T: Red
  • C: Little or None
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish Yin
  • Subdue Fire
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Insidious onset of low back and knees weak and aching
  • Pain worsens with fatigue and is better with bed rest
  • A rotating sensation in the brain
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Insomnia
  • In adults:
    Hair loss
    Graying or whitening of hair
    Weak sexual function
    Atrophy and weakness of feet with difficulty walking
    Poor memory
    Senility (premature or mature)
    Brittle bones
    Gradual deterioration of hearing
  • In children
    Retardation in mental and/or physical development
    Failure to thrive
    Late or incomplete closing of fontanel
    Poor bone development, brittle bones
  • With Kidney Yang Deficiency predominant:
    A Cold sensation in the lower back and abdomen
    Low potency or impotence
    A pale complexion
    Nocturia
    Cold limbs
    Aversion to Cold
    T: Pale with teethmarks
    C: Moist
    P: Deep and thready or Deep and slow
  • With Kidney Yin Deficiency predominant:
    Irritability
    Insomnia
    Dry mouth and throat
    Malar flush
    Five Sole Heat
    Constipation
    T: Red
    C: Little or None
    P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Reinforce the Kidneys
  • Benefit Jing
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic lumbago: low back feels cold, weak and aching
  • The symptoms are improved by massage and rest
  • Frequent recurrences
  • The pain is aggravated by exertion, prolonged standing, sexual activity and fatigue
  • Weak, sore legs and knees
  • Emaciation
  • Weakness
  • Spermatorrhea
  • Blurred vision
  • Daybreak diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Dizziness
  • Nocturnal emissions
  • T: Pink or Pale
  • C: White or None
  • P: Thready and frail or Deep, slow and weak
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish and replenish Yin
  • Tonify Jing
  • Augment Qi
  • Tonify and strengthen Yang
  • Nourish the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Facial complexion pale and sallow
  • Both cheeks slightly red
  • Dizziness
  • Dry eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Spots before the eyes
  • Numbness of limbs
  • Flaccid paralysis (Wei syndrome), weakness
  • Tinnitus
  • Deafness
  • Forgetfulness
  • Low back and knees, sore and painful
  • Throat dry and painful
  • Five sole Heat
  • Low-grade fever
  • Night sweats
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Stools difficult to pass
  • Constipation
  • Men:
    Spermatorrhea
  • Women:
    Irregular menses or
    Scanty menses or
    Amenorrhea
    Vaginal discharge
  • T: Red
  • C: None
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish and Reinforce the Liver and Kidneys
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Premature graying of the hair
  • Hair loss
  • Loose teeth
  • Spontaneous emissions
  • Nocturnal emissions
  • Weak and sore low back and knees
Treatment Principle
  • Enrich the Kidney Jing
  • Nourish the Liver Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • General weakness
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Impotence
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Male infertility
  • Frequent urination
  • Dribbling of urine
  • Lumbar pain or weakness
  • Depression
  • Fatigue and poor memory following ejaculation
  • Weak bladder
  • Low sperm count
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify the Kidneys
  • Nourish and astringe Jing
  • Tonify Kidney Yang
  • Tonify the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Leg pain
  • Preference for pressure and warmth
  • Pain worse at night
  • Limitation of joint movement
  • Local feeling of Cold
  • Stabbing pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Referred pain toward the legs
  • Lower back weakness
  • Nocturia
  • Stiffness of the back
  • Numbness of the legs
  • Feebleness of the knees
  • Tinnitus
  • T: Pale or Purplish
  • C: Thin and white or Thin, white and greasy
  • P: Slippery or Wiry or Thready
Treatment Principle
  • Dispel Wind-Cold-Damp
  • Activate the Blood
  • Smooth the channels
  • Harmonize the collaterals
  • Benefit the muscles
  • Tonify Kidney Jing
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain
  • Restless fetus
  • Miscarriage
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Soreness and pain of the lower back
  • Light colored vaginal bleeding
  • Shortness of breath
  • Mal-positioned fetus
  • Difficult delivery
  • Morning sickness
  • General weakness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Palpitations
  • Pale complexion
  • T: Pale
  • C: White
  • P: Small and smooth
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify Qi
  • Nourish the Blood
  • Regulate Qi
  • Strengthen the Kidneys
  • Calm the fetus
  • Stabilize pregnancy
  • Induce labor
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urinary urgency
  • Painful urination or
  • Continuous dripping of urine or
  • Sudden interruption to the urinary stream
  • Turbid urine or
  • Pus and blood in the urine or
  • Sand and stones in the urine
  • Scanty, dark urine
  • Maybe a bitter taste in the mouth
  • Maybe shoulder pain
  • In Damp-Heat Pouring Downward there may also be:
    Fever
    Thirst
    Dry mouth
    Low back pain
  • In Damp-Heat Crystallizes in Urinary Bladder there may also be:
    Colicky pain in the low back, possibly radiating to the groin
  • T: Red
  • C: Yellow or Greasy and yellow
  • P: Slippery and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Eliminate Dampness by diuresis
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Pain that is fixed, stabbing and /or severe or
  • Pains that move around
  • Distention
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Muscle ache of the neck, back, legs and shoulder
  • Whole body pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Elbow pain
  • Pain at the waist
  • Arm pain
  • Low back pain
  • Leg pain
  • Pan is worse with pressure
  • Dark complexion
  • Fixed, palpable masses
  • Bleeding with clots
  • Purple lips
  • Purple nails
  • Dry skin
  • Blue, dark or purplish discoloration of skin in small or large areas,
  • Varicose and spider veins
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Tendency to hemorrhage dark blood or clots
  • T: Purple, possible purple or red spots
    Red purple if there is Heat
    Blue purple if there is Cold
  • C: White
  • P: Choppy or Wiry and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Activate the Blood
  • Break up Stagnation
  • Circulate Qi
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Lassitude
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Palpitations
  • Emaciation
  • Lack of strength
  • Dry, rough eyes
  • Possible distended feeling in eyes
  • A pale, lusterless face
  • Possible malar flush
  • Restless
  • Insomnia
  • Poor memory
  • Scanty, yellow urination or
  • Profuse, clear urination
  • Dry, parched throat
  • Tasteless feeling in the mouth
  • Low back and knee soreness and
  • Weakness
  • Low grade fever
  • Five sole heat
  • Possible sweating
  • Possible tremors of the hands and tongue
  • Scanty intake
  • Abdominal distention after meal
  • Loose stools
  • T: Red
  • C: Thin or Peeled
  • P: Empty and rapid or Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify the Spleen
  • Augment Qi
  • Supplement the Kidneys
  • Nourish Yin
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Fatigue
  • Loose stools
  • Poor appetite
  • Dizziness
  • Pale face
  • Weak voice
  • Reluctance to speak
  • Sweating with little or no exertion
  • Palpitations
  • Insomnia
  • Dry skin
  • Dry hair
  • Poor memory
  • Paleness
  • Scanty periods
  • Lumbago in women
  • T: Pale or Pale, thin and dry
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Weak or Thin and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify Qi
  • Nourish the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Constipation
  • Facial flushing
  • Melancholy
  • Restlessness
  • Headache
  • Vertigo
  • Tinnitus
  • Abdominal distention
  • Acid regurgitation
  • Vertigo
  • Stiff shoulders
  • Neurosis
  • Fever
  • Palpitations
  • Lower back pain
  • Hot flashes
  • Belching
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify Qi
  • Nourish the Blood
  • Regulate Qi
  • Clear Heat
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Lassitude
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Palpitations
  • Emaciation
  • Lack of strength
  • Dry, rough eyes
  • Possible distended feeling in eyes
  • A pale, lusterless face
  • Possible malar flush
  • Restless
  • Insomnia
  • Poor memory
  • Dry, parched throat
  • Tasteless feeling in the mouth
  • Low back and knee soreness and weakness
  • Low grade fever
  • Five Sole heat
  • Possible sweating
  • Possible tremors of the hands and tongue
  • Scanty intake
  • Abdominal distention after meal
  • Loose stools
  • T: Red
  • C: Thin or Peeled
  • P: Empty and rapid or Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify Qi and Blood
  • Promote urination
  • Activate the Blood
  • Dispel Blood Stasis
  • Nourish Yin
  • Generate fluids
  • Clear Heat
  • Drain Kidney Fire
  • Cool the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Lower back pain that is fixed, stabbing and /or severe
  • Pan is worse with pressure
  • Dark complexion
  • difficulty walking
  • In severe cases, movement is difficult and very painful with restricted range of motion
  • The pain may be worse in the evening and is unaffected by weather or temperature
  • Purple lips
  • Purple nails
  • Dry skin
  • Blue, dark or purplish discoloration of skin in small or large areas
  • Varicose and spider veins
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Tendency to hemorrhage dark blood or clots
  • T: Purple, possible purple or red spots
    Red purple if there is Heat
    Blue purple if there is Cold
  • C: White
  • P: Choppy or Wiry and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Break up Stagnation
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Mild persistent uterine bleeding
  • Irregular menstruation (either early or late)
  • Prolonged menstruation
  • Skipped period
  • Metrorrhagia
  • Extended or continuous menstrual flow
  • Pain
  • Lower abdominal distention
  • Lower abdominal Cold
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Infertility
  • Dry lips
  • Dry mouth
  • Spermatorrhea
  • Pale complexion
  • Leukorrhea
  • Amenorrhea
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Low grade fever at dusk
  • Irritability
  • Five sole Heat
  • No desire to drink
  • Distending breast pain
  • Low back coldness and pain
  • Loose stools
  • Cold limbs
  • Aversion to Cold
  • T: Purple with petechiae
  • P: Thready and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the menses
  • Regulate menstruation
  • Dispel Cold
  • Warm the channels
  • Nourish the Blood
  • Dispel Blood Stasis
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Vaginal tract bleeding after having stopped menstruating
  • The amount of Blood is sometimes excessive and sometimes scanty
  • The Blood is fresh red or pale red
  • Low back soreness or
  • Low back and knee soreness and weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Palpitations
  • Insomnia
  • Dry skin
  • Dry hair
  • Poor memory
  • Paleness
  • Fatigue
  • Scanty periods
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin, white and dry
  • P: Thready and rapid or Weak
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish Blood
  • Tonify the Spleen
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain and weak extremities occuring during menstruation
  • Fatigue
  • A white facial complexion
  • Pale menstrual Blood
  • T: Pale
  • C: White
  • P: Deep and thready
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish and strengthen the Liver and Kidneys
  • Nourish the Blood
  • Regulate menstruation
Herb Formulas
  • Si Wu Tang  modified
  • For predominant Blood stasis with painful joints during menstruation which are worse with Cold and at night and ameliorated by Heat: Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang  modified
Points
  • SP-6, ST-36, UB-18, UB-20, UB-23
    For a dribbling menstrual flow when accompanied by a torpid intake, loose stools and a fat tongue with teethmarks: + moxa or moxa needle REN-4
    For a dribbling menstrual flow when accompanied by aversion to Cold, cold limbs and long voidings of clear urine: + moxa or moxa needle DU-4
    For severe pain: + UB-32
    For lower abdominal pain: + KI-12
    For dizziness and tinnitus: + GB-39, KI-3
Clinical Manifestations
  • Amenorrhea of gradual onset
  • Soreness of the lower back
  • Abdominal pain
  • Emaciation
  • Achy and uncomfortable flesh and bones of the hands and feet
  • Anxiety
  • Dizziness
  • Light headedness
  • Tidal fever
  • General disquietude
  • Gradually worsening afternoon fevers
  • T: Red
  • C: Scanty
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify the Blood
  • Nourish Yin
  • Calm the Shen
  • Activate the Blood
  • Unblock menstruation
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Stabbing pain in the low back and feet
  • Stabbing pain in the testes
  • Stabbing pain in the penis
  • Stabbing pain in the lower abdomen
  • Occasional swelling and pain in the testes aggravated by resting and sleeping - better with movement
  • Maybe impotence
  • Maybe premature ejaculation
  • Maybe erections without stimulation
  • Maybe partial erection during copulation
  • Maybe ejaculation without stimulation
  • Incomplete ejaculation
  • Maybe ejaculation after copulation
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Dribbling urine
  • Premature graying of the hair
  • Itching or pain of the hairy areas
  • Tinnitus
  • Stuffy head
  • Chest oppression
  • Retardation of response to stimulation
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Forgetfulness
  • Insomnia
  • High viscosity sperm with a high number of deformed sperm
  • Abnormal sperm count
  • T: Purple spots or petechiae
  • C: Normal
  • P: Choppy and astringent
Treatment Principle
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Free the flow of Jing
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Fatigue
  • Heavy and painful lower back
  • Dream-disturbed sleep
  • General weakness
  • Lack of interest in food or drink
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Seminal emission
  • Forgetfulness
  • Toothache
  • Dizziness
  • Gum swelling
  • General pitted edema which is worse in the lower body
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Discharge of rice-water like urination without dysuria
  • Aversion to Cold
  • Impotence
  • Decreased libido
  • Emaciation
  • Loose teeth
  • Signs of premature aging
  • Abdominal Cold
  • Easily frightened
  • T: Pale or Pale and thick
  • C: Smooth and white
  • P: Moderate and weak or Deep and weak
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify the Spleen and Kidneys
  • Nourish the Heart
  • Enrich Yin
  • Nourish the Blood and Yang
  • Augment Qi
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic cold pain in the lower back and body with a heavy sensation
  • A preference for warmth
  • Pain worse in Cold and Damp weather
  • Pain radiating downward and to the lower limbs
  • Limited movement of the lower spine
  • Severe hardness and stiffness in the lumbar area with obvious tenderness
  • A cord-like, swollen sensation of the supraspinous ligament on palpation
  • A movable cord-like sensation at the origin of the sacro-spinal muscle
  • Pain and other symptoms worsen gradually
  • A long-lasting course of illness
  • A heavy sensation in the head
  • The lower back region feels Cold to the touch
  • The pain is a deep, unremitting ache
  • The pain may be occasionally be severe
  • Twisting and bending are difficult
  • The pain is aggravated by cold weather
  • Lying down provides no improvement
  • Stiffness which is worse on rainy days
  • Aversion to Cold
  • Cold extremities
  • Sciatica
  • Copious urination
  • Extreme heavy sensation in the lower back
  • Absence of thirst
  • Maybe headaches
  • Nausea
  • Loose stools
  • A poor appetite
  • Maybe general body aches
  • Spontaneous contracture of the limbs
  • Maybe a feverish sensation in the upper body
  • Craves hot drinks and compresses
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Profuse, purulent leukorrhea with a foul odor
  • T: Pale
  • C: White or Greasy and white at the root
  • P: Deep, thready and moderate or Deep and slow or Moderate or Slippery and slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm Yang
  • Strengthen the Spleen
  • Support the Kidneys
  • Dispel Cold
  • Eliminate Dampness
  • Unblock the channels
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Lethargy
  • Anorexia
  • Maybe jaundice
  • No thirst or
  • Thirst with no desire to drink
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Afternoon fever
  • Body aches
  • A sallow complexion
  • Scanty urination
  • Diarrhea
  • Chest discomfort
  • Epigastric pain and distention
  • Dull appearance
  • Maybe disorientation
  • Loose stools
  • Maybe skin vesicles
  • Heavy extremities
  • T: Pink
  • C: Greasy and yellow
  • P: Soft and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Resolve Damp and turbidity
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • The lower back feels hot either to the patient or practitioner
  • Chronic pain in the low back and knees, with possible acute exacerbations
  • Weakness in the low back and knees making it difficult to walk or stand for any time
  • The pain is aggravated by Heat, humid or rainy weather and is not improved by rest
  • Limited lumbar movement
  • Maybe inability to move forward and backward
  • Slight swelling and redness in the back area
  • Obvious tenderness at the sides of the spinous processes or in the sacroiliac joint
  • The low back feels sore and heavy
  • The pain may radiate to the lower abdomen
  • Aches and pains in the bones and sinews
  • Weakness or atrophy of lower extremities
  • Painful and/or scanty yellow urine
  • Red, hot, swollen and painful feet or knees
  • Edema in lower legs
  • Leukorrhea (thick, yellow, foul-smelling)
  • Sores on lower extremities due to Damp
  • Redness, swelling and pain of the knees with burning sensations
  • Oliguria
  • Eczema
  • Irritability
  • Feverishness
  • Spontaneous sweat
  • A bitter taste in the mouth
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Maybe constipation
  • Thirst
  • Loose stools or
  • Discharge of purulent, bloody stools
  • Yellowish or reddish urine
  • Painful urination
  • Maybe scanty urination
  • T: Normal or Red
  • C: Yellow and greasy
  • P: Soft and rapid or Slippery and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Eliminate Heat and Dampness
  • Ease the tendons
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Pain with a heavy sensation in one side of the back
  • Coughing
  • Dyspnea
  • A sensation of fullness and oppression in the chest
  • Obesity
  • Tenderness and a node-like swelling or mass at the tip of the L-3 spinous process or over the sacroiliac joint on palpation
  • Maybe pain and heaviness in the head and limbs
  • P: Slippery or Wiry
Treatment Principle
  • Eliminate Phlegm
  • Dredge the channels and collaterals
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Lower back pain accompanied by heaviness in the low back
  • Anorexia
  • Edema, especially below the waist
  • A feeling of heaviness in the waist and knees
  • Maybe a cold low back
  • A bright white facial complexion
  • Abdominal distention
  • Chest and hypochondriac distention
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Vertigo
  • Thirst with no desire to drink
  • Maybe no thirst
  • Palpitations
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Fatigue
  • Oliguria
  • T: Normal
  • C: Thick and slippery
  • P: Slippery, full and maybe wiry or Slow, deep and forceless
Treatment Principle
  • Dry Dampness
  • Transform Phlegm
  • Warm Yang
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Abdominal pain
  • Uterine bleeding (metrorrhagia)
  • Excessive menstruation
  • Menstruation with constant spotting
  • Postpartum bleeding
  • Bleeding during pregnancy
  • The Blood is pale and thin without clots
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Sore lower back
  • Post abortion bleeding
  • Dull complexion
  • Weakness and pain of the legs
  • Light red, unelevated and indistinct eruptions
  • Hematuria
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white or Whitish and moist
  • P: Thready and weak
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish and warm the Blood
  • Stop bleeding
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Excruciating stabbing pain in the extremities
  • Painful, numb bones and joints
  • Deformed bones and joints
  • Localized Cold sensation
  • Muscles and sinews atrophied
  • Pale, lusterless face
  • Cold body and limbs
  • Spine bent forward (hunched)
  • Weak, sore low back
  • Weak, sore knees
  • Profuse urination
  • Watery stools
  • Daybreak diarrhea
  • T: Pale
  • C: White P:
  • Deep and Weak
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the Yang
  • Augment Qi
  • Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Impotence
  • Infertility
  • Listlessness
  • Lack of Spirit
  • Weakness and aching of the low back
  • A pale, shiny complexion
  • T: Pale
  • C: White
  • P: Deep and thready
Treatment Principle
  • Warm and tonify the Kidneys
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Slow and gradual onset
  • Weak and flaccid lower limbs
  • Muscle twitching
  • Soreness and weakness of the lower back and spine
  • Inability to stand for a long time
  • Total loss of mobility and severe loss of muscle mass can result with exacerbation
  • No obvious tender points
  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Hair loss
  • Dry throat
  • Tinnitus
  • Fatigue
  • Nocturnal emissions
  • Enuresis
  • Pain radiates to the lower abdomen with difficult urination or
  • Fecal and urinary incontinence
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • T: Red or Pale
  • C: Little or None
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify the Liver and Kidneys
  • Nourish Yin
  • Clear Heat
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Postpartum abdominal pain
  • Cold abdominal hernial pain
  • Hypochondriac pain
  • Spasmodic pain in the flanks
  • Sallow complexion
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Lumbago
  • The pain is better with warmth and pressure
  • Swollen, indurated scrotum
  • T: Pale
  • C: White
  • P: Deep, wiry and forceless or Deep, wiry and choppy or Soft and feeble
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the Interior
  • Nourish the Blood
  • Regulate the Liver function
  • Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urinary urgency
  • Painful urination or
  • Continuous dripping of urine or
  • The pain occurs intermittently and is unbearable when it attacks
  • Sudden interruption to the urinary stream
  • Dark colored urine with sand and stones or
  • Colicky pain in the low back, possibly radiating to the groin
  • Profuse sweating when the pain is severe
  • T: normal or Red
  • C: Yellow
  • P: Slippery and rapid or Wiry
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Eliminate Dampness by diuresis
  • Disinhibit urine
  • Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Back pain with a history of injury to the low back
  • The pain is often prickly ,fixed and/or severe
  • The pain is worse with exertion, movement and, in severe cases, breathing
  • the pain often gets worse at night
  • Limited movement
  • Difficulty turning the body or lying on the back
  • Fixed spine or soft tissue tenderness
  • Local redness and/or swelling
  • Muscular stiffness and spasms
  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Fatigued libs
  • Slight fever
  • Rest often relieves pain
  • T:Dark with maculae
  • C: White
  • P: Wiry or deep and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • 1. Attack of the Bladder Channel: The pain radiates along the spine upward to the neck and downward to the coccyx
  • 2. Attack of the Gallbladder Channel:
    The pain feels like pricking by needles
    Cannot stoop, rise or turn
  • 3. Attack of the Stomach Channel:
    Cannot turn
    If people try to turn, they experience fear or terror
    Moans a lot
  • 4. Attack of the Kidney Channel:
    Localized Interior pain
    The pain radiates along the spine upward to the neck
  • 5. Attack of the Liver Channel:
    The spine feels stiff and stretched like a bow
    The patient likes to talk
  • 6. Attack of the Tendino-Muscular Channels:
    Pain radiates toward the shoulder
    Visual difficulties
    Urinary incontinence
    The pain feel like a belt that is too tight
    There may be a rupture in the renal region
    Uneasiness and fear
  • 7. Attack of the Yang Qiao Channels:
    Swelling and projections from the renal area
  • 8. Attack of the Yang Wei Channels:
    Lumbar swelling
  • 9. Attack of the Chong Channel:
    Impediment of forward and backward bending
    If the patients bend forward they lose their balance
    This generally occurs after lifting a heavy weight
  • 10. Attack of the Ren Channel:
    Pain accompanied by perspiration
    After sweating, the patient wants to drink
    After drinking, the patient wants to run
  • 11. Attack of the Yin Wei Channels:
    The low back is always painful
    Continual lamentations and fright
  • 12. Attack of the Yin Qiao Channels:
    The pain radiates towards the chest
    A sensation of fractures at the renal level
    Blurred vision
    A stiff tongue
    Difficult speech
  • 13. Attack of the Du Channel:
    Fever
    If the fever is high there will be somber thoughts
    Stiff renal region
    Urinary incontinence
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points
  • 1. Attack of the UB Channel: Bleed UB-40 (except in Spring)
  • 2. Attack of the GB Channel: Bleed GB-34 (except in Autumn)
  • 3. Attack of the Stomach Channel: Bleed St-36, ST-37, ST-39 (except in Autumn)
  • 4. Attack of the Kidney Channel: Tonify KI-2, KI-3 (bleed both except in Spring)
  • 5. Attack of the Liver Channel: LIV-5, LIV-6, LIV-7
  • 6. Attack of the Tendino-Muscular Channels: needle the inter-articular space of the knee and the large capillaries at this level, then bleed until the black Blood changes color to red
  • 7. Attack of the Yang Qiao Channels: UB-59, UB-61, UB-62
  • 8. Attack of the Yang Wei Channels: GB-35, UB-63
  • 9. Attack of the Chong Channel: UB-38, UB-39
  • 10. Attack of the Ren Channel: Bleed DU-3, DU-4, DU-5
  • 11. Attack of the Yin Wei Channels: KI-9
  • 12. Attack of the Yin Qiao Channels: KI-6, KI-8
  • 13. Attack of the Du Channel: REN-4, REN-6
Clinical Manifestations
  • Qi Movements:
    1. Obstruction of the Outward Movement of Yang Qi toward the Lower Limbs:
    Strain- induced lower back pain
    Pain aggravated by coughing and straining
    Referred Pin on the posterior aspect of the lower limb, along the Bladder Channel
    Often affects only one leg at a time
    2. Obstruction of the Movement of Yin Qi from the Lower Limbs to the Trunk:
    Acute lower back pain which is ameliorated by Cold and pressure
    A heavy sensation in the legs
    Cramps
    Often, peripheral venous disorders or
    Pain on the medial aspect of the thigh resembling an obturator neuralgia
  • Channel Pathology:
    1. Chong Channel:
    Pain elicited by attempting to lift an object that is too heavy
    2. Yang Wei Channel:
    Diffuse joint pain
    Sensitive to weather changes
    A swelling sensation in the lower back
    Fever and chills
    Headache
    P: Floating
    3. Shao Yin Collateral:
    Lower back pain
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Leg Tai Yang Sinew Channel:
    Sharp pain with a breaking sensation in the spine
    A stiff vertebral column
    The vertebral column is bent backwards
    Pain in the posterior aspect of the lower limb
    Contractures of the neck, sinews and muscles
    Difficulty lifting the arm
    Stabbing pain in the arm pit
    Stabbing pain in the supraclavicular fossa
    Migraine
    Facial pain
  • Leg Shao Yin Sinew Channel:
    Paramedial pain which is deep but not reproduced by palpation
    Contractures of the whole body or
    Contractures restricted to the soles of the feet or
    Contractures of the medial aspect of the lower limbs
    If the posterior and superficial aspects of the body are affected:
    A sensation of heaviness in the lower back
    Difficulty bending forward
    If the anterior and deep aspects of the body are affected:
    Difficulty bending backward
  • Urinary Bladder Primary Channel:
    Sharp, wrenching-type pain in the lower back and spine
    A breaking sensation in the lumbar area that is deeper than the Leg Tai Yang Sinew Channel related pain
    Painful areas along the pathway to the lower limbs, neck and head
  • Kidney Primary Channel:
    The pain is deep and medial
    Affects the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae
    Cold feet
    Painful soles of the feet
    Pain in the posteriomedial aspect of the lower limb
    Sore throat
    Dry mouth
  • Yang Qiao Channel:
    The entire back is painful
    The whole body is stiff
    The lower back feels like it has been pounded by a hammer
    A swelling sensation of the affected area
    Difficulty getting up
    May develop an antalgic posture, bending toward the affected side
    Pain along the channel pathway in the shoulder
    Insomnia
    Eye pain
    Contractures of the lower limb
  • Du Channel:
    Stiff spine
    The entire back is painful
    Difficulty lying on one's back
    If the pathology arises through an invasion of DU-16:
    Pseudo flu-like symptoms
    Vertebral pain progressing down the spine
    If the condition results from a Urinary Bladder Primary Channel invasion spreading to the Du Channel:
    Symptoms common to both locations will be found, particularly
    Headaches
    Pain in the nape of the neck
  • Du Channel Collateral Vessel:
    Stiffness and heaviness of the upper and lower back and spine
    The body is bent
    The head feels full
    Sensitivity at the vertex
    Maybe seizures
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Leg Shao Yang Sinew Channel:
    The pain is mostly located in the sacroiliac and sacral regions
    The pain radiates toward the buttocks and lateral aspect of the lower limb
    The pain can reach the fourth toe
    Difficulty bending the knee
    Flank pain
  • Gall Bladder Primary Channel:
    Sacroiliac pain radiates toward the lateral aspect of the lower limb
    Right hypochondriac pain
    Headaches
    Chills
    Vomiting
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Leg Tai Yin Sinew Channel:
    Deep posterior thoracic pain
    Pain may radiate to the lower back and anterior thorax
    Contracture of the big toe
    Twisting pain in the medial malleolus
    Pain in the medial aspect of the thigh
    A wrenching sensation in the genitals that radiates toward the umbilicus and flanks
  • Leg Yang Ming Sinew Channel:
    Transverse pain in the lower middle back
    The pain gathers around the flanks
    Pain on the anterior aspect of the lower limb
    Abdominal tension
  • Leg Tai Yang Sinew Channel:
    Middle and upper lumbar pain
    Stuffy nose
    Headaches
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points
  • Leg Tai Yin Sinew Channel:
    Due to trauma: Local Ahshi points, SP-1, SP-5
    Due to pathogenic Dampness: Local Ahshi points, REN-2, REN-3, SP-1, SP-3, SP-5
  • Leg Yang Ming Sinew Channel:
    Due to trauma: ST-41, ST-45
    Due to heat or Cold: Local Ahshi points
  • Leg Tai Yang Sinew Channel: UB-58
Clinical Manifestations
  • Lower Limb Yang Deficiency:
    Dull lower back pain
    Better with pressure, warmth and rest
    Aggravated by Cold and strain
  • Localized Qi Stagnation:
    Occurs during rest, when sitting or standing for long periods of time or
    When arising in the morning with difficulty getting started
    Decrease in pain after a warm up period of some duration
    Pain improves with walking, massage and warmth
    Aggravated by Cold
  • Localized Blood Stagnation:
    Stabbing pain which, when severe, feels like dagger stabs
    Worse at night
    Difficult movement
    In women, relapses may occur during ovulation or premenstrually
    Frequent hemorrhoids
    T: Deep purple
    P: Choppy
  • Channel Pathology:
    1. Urinary Bladder Primary Channel:
    Sharp, wrenching-type pain in the lower back and spine
    A breaking sensation in the lumbar area that is deeper than the Leg Tai Yang Sinew Channel related pain
    Painful areas along the pathway to the lower limbs, neck and head
    2. Liver Primary Channel:
    Low back pain preventing flexion and extension of the trunk
    Scrotal pain or discomfort
    Pruritis of the external genitalia
    Women: Pelvic disorders
    3. Du Channel:
    Chronic pain affecting the entire back
    A history of scoliosis or Scheuerman's disease
    3. Yin Qiao Channel:
    Low back pain with pain in the lower abdomen and hip which radiates toward the genitals
    May be triggered by menstruation or ovulation
    4. Dai Channel:
    Low back pain encircling the waist and radiating toward the medial aspect of the thigh
    Abdominal and periumbilical pain
    A sensation of sitting in cool water
    Dysmenorrhea
    Leukorrhea
    Looseness of the ankles
    When the Dai Channel is deficient:
    Disability of the lower limbs
    5. Ren Channel:
    Lower back pain starts ant the bottom of the back or
    Deep lower back pain, usually on the midline
    Pain is affected by sexual activity
    Profuse sweating
    Thirst
    Patient feels like walking after drinking
    Hernias
    Abdominal masses
    Gynecological disorders
    Sexual disorders
    6. Yin Wei Channel:
    Low back pain
    Swelling of the flanks
    Pain in the chest
    Stabbing, piercing pain in the Heart area
    Pain in the genitals
    Headaches
  • Organ Pathology:
    1. Kidneys:
    Lumbar pain
    Lumbar stiffness and weakness
    Pain is ameliorated by light massage
    Weak legs and knees
    Aggravated by physical activity
    Better with rest
    Frequent relapses
    If Yang Deficiency predominates:
    Spasms in the lower abdomen
    Pale face
    Cold limbs
    T: Pale|
    P: Deep and thready
    If Yin Deficiency predominates:
    Lower back pain
    Worry
    Restlessness
    Insomnia
    Dry throat
    Dark urine
    Hot flashes
    Five Sole Heat
    T: Red
    P: Wiry, thready and rapid
    Blockage of Kidney Qi:
    Low back pain
    Diarrhea
    Emotional stress
    2. Liver:
    Lower back pain radiating to the flanks and abdomen
    Abdominal distention
    Inability to stand for long periods
    Skepticism
    Worrying about the future
    Being thin-skinned
    Irritability
    Anger
    Vertex headaches
    Visual disorders
    Cramps
    T: Red
    C: Thin
    P: Wiry or Deep and wiry
    3. Small Intestine:
    Abdominal pain radiating to the back and spine
    Dark, almost red urine
    Pain in the external genitalia
    T: Red tip and edges
    C: Yellow
    P: Slippery and rapid
    4. Large Intestine:
    Lower back pain
    Digestive disorders
    Intestinal transit disorders
    5. Spleen:
    Lower back pain
    A heavy sensation
    Stiffness in the limbs
    Pale face
    Poor appetite
    Abdominal distention
    Diarrhea
    T: Pale
    C: White
    P: Soft and slippery
  • Painful Obstruction:
    1. Cold-Damp Low Back Pain:
    Sudden onset
    Pain is accompanied by a cold, heavy sensation in the lower back
    Pain progressively worsens
    Rotation of the trunk is difficult
    Resting in a recumbent position only partially alleviates the pain and may aggravate it
    The pain increases in cold, damp weather
    As the disorder progresses to the chronic stage, there are periods of crises alternating with lulls
    T: Normal:
    C: White and greasy
    P: Deep and slow
    2. Damp-Heat Low Back Pain:
    Pain accompanied by local sensations of Heat
    A heavy sensation while walking
    The pain is aggravated by hot, rainy weather
    The joints may be red and swollen
    Thirst
    Restlessness
    Dark urine
    Constipation
    T: Normal
    C: Yellow and greasy
    P: Soft and rapid
    3. Damp-Phlegm Low Back Pain:
    The pain radiates toward the sacrum
    A dull, heavy sensation when getting started or while standing around
    Subcutaneous nodules in the painful area
  • Trigger Points:
    1. Serratus Inferior Posterior Muscle:
    Referred pain:
    Mildly stabbing pain in the posterior and inferior aspect of the rib cage
    Pain is improved by twisting and stretching
    The pain follows the pathways of the lateral branch of the Bladder channel and Stomach channel
    2. Iliocostalis Thoracis Muscle:
    Referred pain:
    Pain in the posterior and inferior aspect of the rib cage radiating along the spine
    The pain follows the pathway of the Bladder channel in the scapula and iliac fossa
    3. Iliocostalis Lumborum Muscle:
    Referred pain:
    Pain in the lower back and buttocks following the pathway of the Bladder channel
    4. Longissimus Thoracis Muscle:
    Pain in the lower back and buttocks
    The pain follows the pathway of the Bladder channel
    Pain in the posterior aspect of the iliac crest
    5. Multifidi and Rotatores Muscles:
    Pain in the sacrococcygeal and buttock area
    Lower back and abdominal which may be confused with visceral pain
    Pain in the sacrococcygeal area, sensitive to pressure which
    evokes a coccygodynia on the posterior aspect of the thigh along the Bladder channel and in the hypogastrium
    6. Rectus Abdominus Muscle:
    Bilateral pain in the lower posterior thoracic area encircling the body
    Maybe a sensation of abdominal fullness
    Epigastric pain
    Nausea
    Vomiting
    Lower back encircling pain
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points
  • Lower Limb Yang Deficiency: ST-31
  • Localized Qi Stagnation: GB-30, REN-4
    When associated with the Dai Channel: GB-25
  • Localized Blood Stagnation: UB-17, UB-32, UB-40, UB-53
    When associated with the Dai Channel: GB-28
  • Urinary Bladder Primary Channel: DU-3, DU-14, UB-11, UB-57
    With middle and lower back pain: SP-5, UB-57 or SP-8, UB-57
    With trapezius muscle involvement: GB-23, SI-11, UB-29
  • Liver Primary Channel: LIV-2, LIV-4
  • Du Channel: DU-1, UB-11
  • Yin Qiao Channel: KI-6, KI-8, LU-7
  • Dai Channel: GB-26, GB-41, SJ-5
    When the Dai Channel is deficient: + ST-30, ST-36, ST-37
  • Ren Channel: KI-6, LU-7, REN-2, REN-4, REN-6
  • Yin Wei Channel: KI-9, PC-6, SP-4
  • Kidneys:
    If Yang Deficiency predominates: moxa or moxa needle DU-4, DU-20, UB-23
    If Yin Deficiency predominates: KI-3, KI-15, UB-23, UB-52
    Blockage of Kidney Qi: DU-5
  • Liver: LIV-3, LIV-6, UB-18
  • Small Intestine: SI-2, ST-39, UB-27
  • Large Intestine: DU-3, UB-25
  • Spleen: REN-12, SP-3, ST-40, UB-20
  • Painful Obstruction:
    1. Cold-Damp Low Back Pain: Local Ahshi points, DU-3, DU-16, Huatuojiaji (local area), SP-3, UB-40, UB-60, moxa or moxa needle UB-23
    2. Damp-Heat Low Back Pain: Huatuojiaji (local area), KI-3, KI-10, UB-23, UB-32, UB-52
    3. Damp-Phlegm Low Back Pain: SP-3, ST-40
  • Trigger Points:
    1. Serratus Inferior Poster Muscle: The area surrounding UB-48
    2. Iliocostalis Thoracis Muscle: The area surrounding UB-49
    3, Iliocostalis Lumborum Muscle: The area surrounding UB-51
    4. Longissimus Thoracis Muscle:
        Pain follows the pathway of the Bladder channel: The area     surrounding UB-49
        Pain in the lower back, buttocks and posterior aspect of the     iliac crest: The area surrounding UB-22
    5. Multifidi and Rotatores Muscles:
        Pain in the sacrococcygeal and buttock area: The area
        surrounding UB-30
        Lower back and abdominal which may be confused with visceral     pain: The area surrounding UB-23
        Pain in the sacrococcygeal area, sensitive to pressure which
        evokes a coccygodynia on the posterior aspect of the thigh     along the Bladder channel and in the hypogastrium: UB-27
    6. Rectus Abdominis Muscle:
        Bilateral pain in the lower posterior thoracic area encircling the
        body, a sensation of abdominal fullness, epigastric pain,
        nausea and vomiting: The area surrounding KI-21
        Lower back encircling pain: The area surrounding KI-11