Library

There are cases of disease where the body feels heavy and cannot turn over, and cases where the body aches and cannot turn over. What is the reason? When the body is heavy and unable to turn over, it is due to blood deficiency following inappropriate purgation (downward-draining methods), causing body fluids to fail to nourish the exterior. When the body aches and cannot turn over, it is due to wind-dampness pathogens battling each other within the meridians. These two conditions are quite similar but differ in excess and deficiency, thus requiring different treatment principles. If the symptoms are ominous and the heaviness of the body is doubled compared to usual, it indicates a critical condition (death). This is because yin and yang qi have separated, leaving only the physical form; without qi to lift and support, the body feels exceptionally heavy. Regarding "muscular numbness" (Rou Ke, a sensation of numbness and stiffness in the muscles even with clothing), even when wearing cotton wadding, the patient still feels this numbness. This arises from excessive sweating damaging the Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) qi, causing the muscles to lose their nourishment, resulting in stubborn bi-syndrome (obstruction syndrome) with insensitivity to pain and itching. Treatment should employ formulas such as Qianghuo Chonghe Tang (Notopterygium Decoction for Harmonizing the Middle), modified with Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), and Muxiang (Aucklandia Root).

The head is the convergence point of all Yang meridians. If the Yang meridians are disordered, the head will tremble or shake. The Classic states: "All wind diseases involving tremors and dizziness belong to Liver Wood." This is often caused by Qi and Blood deficiency, allowing Wind-Fire pathogens to ascend and agitate the head. However, there are cases of head shaking due to Heart Qi exhaustion and cases due to excessive Wind. Since Yin is rooted in Yang, and Yang is rooted in Yin, they are mutually dependent, and Qi and Blood flow continuously without interruption. If Heart Qi fails, the Spirit departs and Yin fluids are exhausted; Yang remains alone without a root and loses autonomous control, hence the head shakes. The Classic says: "When Yang-toxin lingers in the form, the body appears smoked, with fixed gaze and head shaking," which describes this condition. In cases of Taiyang disease where improper sweating leads to excessive Wind at the upper part, and since Wind governs movement, the head shakes. This corresponds to what the Classic says: "Isolated head shaking, sudden jaw lock, and opisthotonos (backward arching of the back)." Here, head shaking accompanied by pain is mentioned. Clear speech indicates a Deficiency pattern, while unclear speech indicates an Excess pattern. Although both involve head shaking, analyzing them separately reveals patterns of Deficient Pathogen, Excess Pathogen, and True Pathogen; treatment must be tailored to the specific symptoms. External moxibustion on acupoints such as Baihui (GV20) and Fengfu (GV16) can stabilize the shaking.

The nose is the external opening of the Lung. The Lung is the chief of the Zang organs. When Cold pathogen attempts to invade the Lung, the Lung battles the pathogen, causing Lung fluids to transform into nasal discharge. Qi becomes obstructed and blocked, constituting a Cold pattern. Over time, stagnation transforms into Heat; Fire scorches Metal (Lung), causing dryness, body fluids fail to moisten, Ying and Wei become stagnant, and Clear Qi fails to ascend, leading to blockage of the nasal orifice, constituting a Heat pattern. Cold patterns are treated with warming methods, and Heat patterns are treated with clearing methods.