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Body pain refers to pain throughout the entire body. Conditions such as Shanghan (Cold Damage), Huoluan (Cholera-like disorder), Zhongshu (Heatstroke), Yindu (Yin Toxin), Shibi (Damp Bi Syndrome), and Tongbi (Painful Bi Syndrome) all present with body pain; however, differentiation is made by observing accompanying symptoms, inquiring about the etiology, and examining the pulse. Treatment methods are detailed in their respective sections. For cases that are lingering and difficult to resolve, one may seek guidance here.

For body pain caused by cold, Gancao Fuzi Tang (Licorice and Aconite Twig Decoction) is used. For heat patterns, Niantong Tang (Pain-Relieving Decoction) is indicated. If the cause is internal injury from overwork or improper diet, compounded by wind-dampness pathogens interacting and binding, resulting in whole-body pain, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) is prescribed with additions of Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma). If damp-heat interacts and binds, causing heaviness and pain in the shoulders and back, heat sensation and stagnation in the chest and diaphragm, and generalized body pain, Niantong Tang is appropriate.

If sweating occurs in a cold, damp environment, accompanied by reluctance to speak, fatigue and weakness in the four limbs, and wandering pain, this indicates latent fire in the lower jiao failing to ascend and disperse, leading to restlessness, sweating, and whole-body pain; this is attributed to the interaction of wind and dampness. One should induce sweating gradually using Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). For pathogenic factors residing in the meridians, inducing sweating is also appropriate. Especially during the third lunar month, when the pulse is slow and delayed, sweating is particularly suitable to expel wind-dampness, allow Yang qi to rise, alleviate fatigue, and promote the flourishing of blood and qi. Mahuang Fujian Tang (Ephedra Double-Decoction) is the primary treatment. Zhu Danxi used Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) 1 liang, Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) 0.5 liang, Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) and Weilingxian (Syneilesidis Herba) each 2.5 qian, taken with ginger paste.

For generalized pain resembling deficiency-fatigue syndromes, Ben Shi Fang uses Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, processed), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, processed), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Fuling (Poria), and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparata, prepared); each of the above at 5 qian; Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Biejia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum, vinegar-fried) each at 1 liang; Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) each at 3 fen; Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, stir-fried) at 0.5 liang. These are powdered. Each dose consists of 4 qian, decocted with 1 cup of water, 3 slices of ginger, 2 dates, 3 Chinese plums (Wumei), and 3 cun of scallion white, until reduced to 70%. Take warm on an empty stomach. This formula treats deficiency-cold exhaustion in youth and various ailments in the elderly, except for body pain caused by Shanghan. [Text fragment: Huoxue Dan and Siwu Tang combined with Cangzhu, half and half.]

[Physical Stiffness and Cramping] All belong to cold, cold-dampness, or wind-dampness. The Classic states: "All cold-induced contraction and pulling belong to the Kidney." It further states: "During the reign of Taiyin, people suffer from cold jue and stiffness/cramping. In the first phase of climate, wind-dampness interacts, causing people to suffer from stiff meridians and joint immobility." Treatment methods generally involve Xiaoxuming Tang (Minor Rescue Life Decoction) or Zhang Zhongjing's Sanhuang Tang (Three-Yellow Decoction).

[Diagnosis] For Shanghan exterior syndrome of the Taiyang meridian, all six pulses are tight. For Yin Toxin Shanghan, the body feels as if beaten with a club, and the pulse is deep and tight. After sweating therapy for Shanghan, if body pain persists due to unharmonized blood and qi, the pulse is wiry and slow. When dampness flows into the joints, causing whole-body pain, wind-dampness interaction leads to heavy and painful limbs unable to turn or side-bend, with a slow pulse. In deficiency-fatigue conditions with blood and qi depletion, the pulse is wiry and small or hollow and large.