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Pain in general contraindicates the use of tonification, and this is especially true for Hong Kong Foot (a disease characterized by swelling and pain in the feet). It is named "Yong Ji" (Obstructive Disease); "Yong" refers to the obstruction of meridians and collaterals by dampness. One can deduce its meaning from its name.

There are cases caused by cold-dampness obstruction. The patient suffers as if walking on a frosty bridge at dawn ("Chicken crow, thatched inn, moon; human footprints on the frosty plank bridge"), experiencing the misery of ice and frost; or as if dwelling in a deep river pavilion in May ("In May, the river runs deep, the grass hut is cold"), suffering invasion from mud and slippery dampness. Cold and desolate qi descends and transforms into dampness, soaking into the sinews and bones, causing aversion to cold and pain day and night. The pulse is soggy (Ru) and slow (Chi). Only Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex) are sufficient to dry the dampness afflicting the sinews; only Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) are sufficient to dispel the bone-penetrating cold. (Empirical Formula: Cang Zhu, Wu Jia Pi, Qiang Huo, Fang Feng, Fang Ji, Fu Pian, Gan Jiang, Dang Gui, Yi Mi, Mu Gua, Zhi Cao, Da Zao).

There are cases caused by damp-heat obstruction. The patient indulges in melons and fruits, craving only the sweetness of taste; enjoys fine wines and delicacies, disregarding the corruption of the lungs and intestines. The steaming qi flows downward to become dampness, boiling the yin blood, leading to fever and pain at night. The pulse is soggy (Ru) and rapid (Shu). Only Huai Tong (Gardeniae Fructus processed specifically for clearing heat/dampness contextually often referring to specific preparations or similar herbs like Tu Fu Ling in some contexts, but here likely referring to a specific preparation or herb like 木通/Akebiae Caulis or similar diuretic, WHO term may vary based on specific identification, assuming standard diuretic/heat-clearing context) and Su Geng (Perillae Caulis) can unblock the obstructed meridians; only Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) and Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) can clear the accumulated and flourishing heat. (Empirical Formula: Huai Tong, Su Geng, Huang Bo, Mai Dong, Sheng Chi Shao, Dang Gui, Qiang Huo, Fang Feng, Yi Mi, Mu Gua, Zhi Cao).

There are cases caused by wind-dampness obstruction. Dampness stagnates and transforms into heat; when heat is excessive, it generates wind. This pain wanders without fixed location, releasing its toxicity arbitrarily. If it strikes the ankle, swelling covers the ground as if one were barefoot and not watching the ground, injuring the feet; if it strikes the shin, extension causes pain like a knife cut; if it strikes the knee, the shape becomes swollen like a crane's knee (He Xi). The pulse is soggy-superficial (Ru Fu) and rapid (Shu). One must use Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) to retreat the fire, so the wind will subside; use Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) to scatter the wind, so the dampness will be eliminated. (Empirical Formula: Da Huang, Mang Xiao, Qiang Huo, Fang Feng, Dang Gui, Sheng Di, Niu Xi, Huai Tong, Zhi Cao, with Jiang and Zao as guides).

These three types are originally not disabling diseases, but many become disabling due to erroneous tonification. Just as officials might stand crookedly during sacrifices, many scholarly gentlemen become lame and awkward; just as recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian regarding hesitation, even beautiful women in inner chambers may suffer. Investigating the cause of their harm, it is nothing other than the result of physicians who follow the vulgar trend of warm-tonification.

Additionally, there is a condition where the limbs are curled, withered, and thin, painful but not swollen, named Dry Hong Kong Foot Pain, which has formulas to moisten blood and clear dryness. There is another condition where the heel hurts, is swollen and red, named Yin Deficiency Foot Pain, which has agents to tonify the kidney and nourish the nutritive qi. Verify the symptoms: either swelling or pain; examine the pulse: either choppy (Se) or fine (Xi), which can be known through investigation. These differ greatly from diseases caused by dampness. Those treating these conditions should not use the excuse of these two syndromes to arbitrarily apply tonification.