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Arm pain is caused by the invasion of wind-cold-dampness pathogens, or when the arm is exposed outside the blanket during sleep and attacked by cold pathogens, thereby causing arm pain; as well as arm pain resulting from nursing mothers using their arms to pillow their infants, leading to wind-cold invasion. In all these cases, one may select from the following three formulas.

First, there are cases of arm pain due to blood deficiency, which occurs because blood fails to nourish the sinews (tendons and ligaments).

Second, for arm pain caused by dampness, use Juanbi Tang (Dispelling Bi Decoction) added with Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and Jiufangji (Prepared Stephaniae Tetrandrae Caulis).

Third, for phlegm-fluid retention flowing into the four limbs, causing soreness and pain in the shoulders and back, and soft numbness in both hands, use Daotan Tang (Guiding Out Phlegm Decoction) added with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) and Jianghuang (Curcumae Longae Rhizoma).

Formulas:

Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder) (See formula under "Zhonghan" chapter), treats arm pain caused by cold.

Wuyao Shunqi San (Lindera Regulating Qi Powder) (See formula under "Zhongfeng" chapter), treats arm pain caused by qi stagnation.

Juanbi Tang (Dispelling Bi Decoction) (See formula under "Bitong" chapter), treats arm pain caused by dampness.

Jiajian Fuling Wan [Commentary] (This formula applies to arm pain caused by phlegm), treats obstruction of collaterals due to accumulation of damp-phlegm, causing pain in both arms and inability to comb hair or wash; also treats pain and numbness in hands and feet, and difficulty in walking, with miraculous effects upon administration.

Chenpi (Stir-fried with salt water, 2 liang), Banxia (2 liang, soaked for seven days in a decoction of Baifan, Yazao, and Shengjiang each 1 liang), Baifuling (Peeled, 1.5 liang), Fenghuaxiao (1.3 liang), Haitongpi (Washed with wine, 1 liang), Pianzi Jianghuang (1 liang), Mugua (1 liang), Bao Gui (Peeled, 0.5 liang), Gancao (Honey-fried/Roasted, 0.4 liang), Baishao (Stir-fried with wine, 2 liang), Huangqi (Stir-fried with salt water, 2 liang).

Grind the above ingredients into fine powder. Form pills using ginger juice and Zhuli (Bamboo Sap), sized like wutong seeds. Take 100 pills per dose, swallowed with plain warm water on an empty stomach.

Sanhe San (Three Harmonies Powder), treats pain at a single point on the back.

Combine Wuyao Shunqi San with Erchen Tang (Two Aged Ingredients Decoction) and Xiangsu San (Fragrant Perilla Powder), adding Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix).

Yuhan Gao (Cold-Defying Ointment), treats individuals with weak constitutions who feel cold on their backs, or fear removing clothes even in summer; also treats postpartum women whose meridians have been invaded by cold winds, resulting in chronic cold pain, or cold pain penetrating to the bone in hands and feet. It also treats lower back pain and all types of cold-bi pain, as well as dampness conditions. Use half a jin (approx. 500g) of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), extract its natural juice, add Niujiao (Asini Corii Colla) 3 liang, Xuxiangmo (Olibanum Powder) and Moyao (Myrrha Powder) each 1.5 qian. Melt in a copper spoon, then transfer to boiling water to stew. Stir with a willow twig until it becomes an ointment. Add a small amount of Huajiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium) powder and stir evenly. Prepare shells using leather paper. Apply to the painful area according to its size, warm the application with heated footwear, and remove after five to seven days. Minor skin irritation is acceptable.