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[Da] What is the cause of generalized body pain after childbirth? The answer is: After childbirth, all joints and apertures are open, and blood vessels run scattered. If Qi is weak, blood tends to stagnate in the meridians and muscle layers for many days without dispersing. This leads to impaired joint mobility and acute tension in tendons and collaterals, resulting in an inability to turn or bend the waist and back, immobility of the hands and feet, along with fever and headache. If physicians mistakenly treat this as Taiyang Cold Damage (Shanghan) and induce sweating, it will cause twitching of tendons and collaterals after sweating, coldness of the hands and feet, and generate other pathological changes. In such cases, one should simply administer Chentong San (Urging Pain-Relieving Powder) to resolve the condition.

[Xue] If pressing on the affected area exacerbates the pain in the aforementioned symptoms, it indicates Blood stasis. Use Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), Paojiang (Charred Ginger), Honghua (Safflower), Taoren (Peach Kernel), and Zelan (Eupatorium), employing a method of tonifying while dissipating stasis. If pressing on the area relieves the pain slightly, it indicates Blood deficiency. Use Siwu Tang, Paojiang, Renshen (Ginseng), and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), employing a method of tonifying and nourishing.

One postpartum woman suffered from abdominal and bodily pain, fever, loss of appetite, irritability, insomnia, night sweats, and hypochondriac pain. After taking herbs for releasing the exterior and dispelling blood stasis, she frequently experienced mental confusion. Her six pulses were surging yet empty upon pressure. She was treated with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus Paojiang and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber). After one dose, symptoms improved by two or three degrees; after another dose, her sleep and appetite returned to normal. However, she still had a stiff and painful back, which was resolved using Bazhen San (Eight Treasures Powder) and Dabu Tang (Great Tonifying Decoction) for regulation.

Another postpartum woman suffered from generalized pain in the body, head, and neck, aversion to cold, and stiffness, with a floating and tight pulse. This is a pattern of Wind-Cold. She was treated with Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder); after one dose, sweating occurred and she recovered. Subsequently, she experienced fatigue and low-grade fever, indicating that the pathogenic factor had departed but True Qi was deficient. She was treated with Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) for regulation and tonification, leading to recovery.

A woman who gave birth in the sixth month sweated excessively. Due to physical exhaustion, she dared not uncover herself, causing sweat to soak into the bedding. The cold moisture penetrated the skin, leading to Wind-Damp pain. She was cured after several doses of Qianghuo Xuduan Tang (Notopterygium and Dipsacus Decoction).

Chentong San (from *Yunqi*) treats generalized body pain due to postpartum Qi weakness and Blood stasis, as well as fever and headache.
Ingredients: Huainiu (Achyranthes Root), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Guixin (Cinnamon Twig), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Huangqi (Astragalus Root), Duhuo (Angelica Pubescens Root), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) (each 0.5 liang); Gancao (Licorice Root), Xiebai (Allium Macrostemon Bulb) (each 2.5 qian).
Preparation and Administration: Coarsely crush the herbs. Take 0.5 liang per dose, add one cup of water, decoct until one and a half cups remain, strain, and take warm before meals.

Chen Wuyue commented: Chentong San not only treats postpartum Qi weakness and Blood stasis but also treats headache, lower back pain, spontaneous sweating, and fever caused by Wind affecting the Taiyang Meridian. However, if the body pain, fever, and headache are caused by Cold invasion, food retention, or emotional disturbances like worry, fear, shock, or anger, especially when complicated by Rudao (postpartum consumptive disease), Chentong San cannot cure them. It is better to use Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder) decocted with vinegar.
Wuji San decocted with wine treats headache and body pain due to Cold invasion (see Shanghan section). It may be prudent to take half of this formula and half of Siwu Tang together. Adding Taoren (Peach Kernel) treats lower back pain, expels lochia, and removes Wind-Damp.

[Da] Treats generalized cyanosis and swelling with pain after childbirth, as well as various miscellaneous diseases.
Ingredients: Huainiu (Achyranthes Root), Damai (Barley) (equal parts).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into fine powder. Layer barley and Huainiu in a new clay pot, sealing it with salt mud. Calcine over fire until red hot, cool down, and grind into powder. For any postpartum disease, mix 2 qian with hot wine and ingest.

Huoxue Dan (Blood Invigorating Elixir), Cangzhu Siwu Gemban Tang (Half Cangzhu Half Siwu Tang) (both see Miscellaneous Diseases: Body Pain section).
Wujin San (Black Gold Powder) treats bone and joint pain in the limbs after childbirth (see subsequent section on delirium and manic speech).