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General Summary: Neck and nape disorders originally stem from wind-dampness; stiff neck (luozhen) or sprain/contusion are also causes. Left-sided issues pertain to blood, right-sided to phlegm—this must be remembered; detailed differentiation of deficiency and excess is the key to effective treatment.

The *Neijing* states: Spring wind arises in spring, affecting the Liver, with its Shu points located at the neck and nape. It also states: All cases of neck stiffness belong to dampness. Dai Shi stated: Neck pain is either due to wind pathogen or Qi injury. There are also cases where pain results from a stiff neck (luozhen), for which harmonizing Qi formulas are appropriate. Cases of neck stiffness and immobility caused by sprains, contusions, or sleeping in an awkward position (shi zhen) arise because Kidney deficiency fails to nourish the Liver, and Liver blood deficiency fails to moisten the tendons, resulting in joint dysfunction; tonifying Kidney formulas are appropriate. For conditions involving tendon spasm and inability to turn the head, this must originate from the foot meridians. The *Jing* records: Each of the twelve meridians has associated tendons, but only the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian runs from the foot up to the nape. The *Zhunseng* states: Symptoms of neck stiffness accompanied by fever and aversion to cold are mostly due to wind-cold invading the Three Yang meridians. Cold contraction leads to tendon stiffness, while wind contraction leads to tendon flaccidity. Left-sided issues mostly pertain to blood, right-sided to phlegm; both are suitable for Quxie Tang. If movement causes slight pain, with a wiry, rapid, and full pulse, more pronounced on the right, this indicates phlegm-heat invading the Three Yang meridians; Xiaofeng Huotan Tang is appropriate. If movement causes slight pain, with a wiry and choppy pulse, more pronounced on the left, it should be treated as Blood deficiency with external pathogens invading the Taiyang and Yangming meridians; Shufeng Zixue Tang is appropriate.

[Attached Formulas]
Quxie Tang: Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang), Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), Apricot Seed (Xingren), Licorice Root (Gancao), Saposhnikovia Root (Fangfeng), Notopterygium Rhizome et Radix (Qianghuo), Angelica Pubescens Root (Duhuo), Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Gaoben), Bupleurum Root (Chaihu), Pueraria Lobata Root (Ge Gen), Angelica Dahurica Root (Baizhi), Cimicifuga Rhizome (Shengma), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang). Decoct with Mint Water (Bohe Shui). (Another prescription adds More Purple Vine Stem [Zijin Teng]).
Xiaofeng Huotan Tang: Scutellaria Root (Huangqin, stir-fried with wine), Notopterygium Rhizome et Radix (Qianghuo), Safflower (Honghua), Pinellia Tuber (Banxia, processed with ginger), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), White Poria (Baifuling), Licorice Root (Gancao), Angelica Pubescens Root (Duhuo), Saposhnikovia Root (Fangfeng), Angelica Dahurica Root (Baizhi), Pueraria Lobata Root (Ge Gen), Bupleurum Root (Chaihu), Cimicifuga Rhizome (Shengma), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang). Decoct and take. (Another prescription adds More Purple Vine Stem [Zijin Teng]).
Shufeng Zixue Tang: Chinese Angelica Root (Danggui), Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong), White Peony Root (Baishaoyao), Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudihuang), Notopterygium Rhizome et Radix (Qianghuo), Angelica Pubescens Root (Duhuo), Safflower (Honghua), Achyranthes Bidentata Root (Niuxi), Saposhnikovia Root (Fangfeng), Angelica Dahurica Root (Baizhi), Pueraria Lobata Root (Ge Gen), Cimicifuga Rhizome (Shengma), Licorice Root (Gancao), Bupleurum Root (Chaihu), Peach Kernel (Taoren), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang). Decoct and take. (Another prescription adds More Purple Vine Stem [Zijin Teng]).