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The *Suwen* (Plain Questions), in the chapter "Shi Congrong Lun" (Demonstrating Composure), states that deficiency of the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen all cause heaviness of the body and inner restlessness (*zhong zhong fan yuan*). There are five types of body heaviness caused by the Five Movements and Six Qi:

First is Dampness. This occurs when Dampness suppresses Kidney deficiency, leading to heaviness. The classics state: "When Taiyin [Spleen/Earth] arrives, it manifests as body heaviness." It also states: "When Taiyin undergoes a reaction, there is heavy body and abdominal fullness." Furthermore: "When the annual Earth Qi is excessive, Dampness prevails, and the people suffer from body heaviness and inner restlessness." And again: "When Earth Qi is depressed and erupts, the people suffer from body heaviness."

Second is Damp-Heat. The classics state: "In years where Shaoyang [Fire] governs the Heaven, during the fourth Qi period. Scorching heat alternates with transformation; the disease manifests as whole-body heaviness."

Third is Cold-Dampness. The classics state: "In years where Taiyin [Earth] governs the Heaven, during the third Qi period. Contracting Cold-Dampness causes the people to suffer from body heaviness."

Fourth is Wind suppressing Wood (or Wind affecting Spleen due to Wood overacting on Earth), leading to Spleen deficiency and heaviness. The classics state: "When the annual Wood Qi is excessive, Wind prevails, and the people suffer from body heaviness and inner restlessness." It also states: "When the annual Earth Qi is insufficient, Wind acts greatly, and the people suffer from body heaviness and inner restlessness." And again: "When Jueyin [Wind-Wood] is at the Bottom, Wind excess wins, causing the disease of whole-body heaviness."

Fifth is Metal suppressing Dryness (or Dryness affecting Liver due to Metal overacting on Wood), leading to Liver deficiency and heaviness. The classics state: "When the annual Metal Qi is excessive, Dryness prevails, and the people suffer from body heaviness and inner restlessness."

Li Dongyuan said: Body heaviness is due to Dampness. Treat with *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with *Wuling San* (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), removing *Guizhi* (Cinnamon Twig). Zhang Jiegu said: If rising and lying down are not restricted, it is not Dampness; body heaviness is the sign of Dampness. Treat with *Xiaochaihu Tang* (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) or *Huangshaoyao Tang* (Yellow Peony Decoction). Zhang Zhongjing said: In Wind-Dampness, if the pulse is floating, the body is heavy, and there is sweating with aversion to wind, treat with *Fangji Huangqi Tang* (Stephania and Astragalus Decoction). Zhang Jiegu said: In summer, contracting Wind-Dampness from heatstroke, the body feels as heavy as a mountain, unable to turn or shift sides. Treat with herbs that dispel Wind, overcome Dampness, and clear Heat. Zhang Zhongjing said: In the disease of *Shenzhe* (Kidney Fixation), the patient has a heavy body, coldness in the waist, feeling as if sitting in water, appearing like a water-filled form, yet without thirst, with normal urination, and normal diet. The disease resides in the Lower Jiao. Due to labor and sweating, exterior and interior are cold and damp. After a long time, this results in cold pain below the waist and heaviness in the abdomen as if wearing a belt of five thousand coins. Treat with *Ganjiang Lingzhu Tang* (Ginger, Poria, Atractylodes, and Licorice Decoction). For Spleen and Stomach weakness, where Yuan Qi cannot nourish the Heart and Lungs, causing heavy limbs and postprandial drowsiness and oppression, treat with *Shenzhu Tang* (Ginseng and Atractylodes Decoction).

There are two methods for acupuncture treating body heaviness: The first involves selecting the Spleen. The classics state: "For diseases of the Spleen, characterized by body heaviness and muscle flaccidity, select the meridians of Taiyin, Yangming, and Shaoyin, focusing on blood points." It also states: "When the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian moves, it causes abdominal distension and whole-body heaviness. Treat according to whether the condition is excess, deficiency, heat, cold, or sinking." The second involves selecting the Kidney. The classics state: "For diseases of the Kidney, characterized by body heaviness, night sweats, and aversion to wind, select the meridians of Shaoyin and Taiyang, focusing on blood points."