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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: East wind arises in spring, the disease affects the Liver (*Gan*), and the symptoms manifest in the neck and nape. Various spasms and stiffness of the neck all belong to Dampness (*Shi*). The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) at the center of the Quepen (Supraclavicular Fossa) is named Tiantu (CV22). (Located at the arterial pulse in the center of the supraclavicular fossa.) The first artery mentioned on the side of the Ren Mai is the Foot-Yangming Stomach Channel, named Yingjing (ST9). (Located at the arterial pulse on both sides of the larynx.) The second pulse mentioned is the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Channel, named Futu (LI18). (Located behind the arterial pulse of the larynx, one cun anterior to the angle of the mandible.) The third pulse mentioned is the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Channel, named Tianchuang (SI16). (Behind the Hand-Yangming channel, below the angle of the mandible.) The fourth pulse mentioned is the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel, named Tianrong (SI17). (Behind the angle of the mandible, below the ear.) The fifth pulse mentioned is the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel, named Tianyou (TE16). (Above the Wanggu bone behind the ear.) The sixth pulse mentioned is the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Channel, named Tianzhu (BL10). (In the middle of the large tendons of the nape.) The seventh pulse mentioned is the central vessel of the neck, the Du Mai (Governor Vessel), named Fengfu (GV16). The Foot-Yangming Stomach Channel is the arterial pulse flanking the throat, its course is in the chest and epigastrium. The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Channel lies next outside it, not reaching one cun before the angle of the mandible. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Channel corresponds to the angle of the mandible. The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel is behind the ear and below the angle of the mandible. The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel emerges from behind the ear and goes upward, adding above the Wanggu bone. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Channel runs between the large tendons of the nape. Therefore, syndromes of neck and nape stiffness and urgency are mostly caused by pathogenic factors lodging in the Three Yang Channels. Cold binding causes tendon contraction; Wind binding causes tendon relaxation. Left-sided predominance often relates to Blood issues; right-sided predominance often relates to Phlegm.

Neck and nape stiffness with fever and aversion to cold, floating and tight pulse, indicates Wind-Cold lodging in the Three Yang Channels. Quxie Decoction (*Quxie Tang*) is indicated. Neck and nape stiffness with slight pain upon movement, wiry, rapid, full, and solid pulse, more pronounced on the right, should be treated as Phlegm-Heat lodging in the Three Yang Channels. Xiaofeng Huotan Decoction (*Xiaofeng Huotan Tang*) is indicated. Neck and nape stiffness with slight pain upon movement, wiry and choppy pulse, more pronounced on the left, should be treated as Blood Deficiency with pathogenic factors lodging in the Taiyang and Yangming Channels. Shufeng Zixue Decoction (*Shufeng Zixue Tang*) is indicated. Neck and nape stiffness with alternating chills and fever, or vomiting, or hypochondriac pain, Xiao Chaihu Decoction (*Xiaochaihu Tang*) and Shengma Fangjing Decoction (*Shengma Fangjing Tang*) are indicated. Neck and nape stiffness, waist feeling like breaking, neck feeling like being pulled, Jiawei Shengshi Decoction (*Jiawei Shengshi Tang*) is indicated. Shortage of spirit, inability to sleep, swelling and stiffness of neck tendons making extension difficult: avoid sweet-warm substances; use bitter-cold substances. Yangshen Decoction (*Yangshen Tang*) is the primary treatment. Jiaofu Powder (*Jiaofu San*) from *Ben Shi Fang* treats kidney Qi attacking upward, causing inability to turn the head and back, suitable for deficiency-cold patterns. Danxi treated a male patient with neck stiffness unable to look back, slight pain upon movement, wiry, rapid, full, and solid pulse, more pronounced on the right hand. He was treated as Phlegm lodging in the Taiyang Channel using Erchen Decoction (*Erchen Tang*) plus wine-washed Huangqin (*Scutellariae Radix*), Qianghuo (*Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix*), and Honghua (*Carthami Flos*), cured after two days. Scholar Xu treated a person suffering from tendon stiffness and neck inability to turn, starting in the afternoon and resolving at dusk. This illness must originate from the feet. The classics state that each of the twelve channels has associated tendons; only the Foot-Taiyang tendon extends from the foot to the neck. Generally, tendons correspond to the Liver. From noon to dusk is Heaven's Yang, specifically Yin within Yang. It is also said: Yin within Yang corresponds to the Lung. From Li (Wu hour/noon) to Dui (You hour/evening) is the time when Yin flourishes and Yang weakens. Thus, *Lingbao Bifa* states: From Li to Qian, Kidney Qi is exhausted and Liver Qi is weak; the Liver and Kidney organs receive Yin Qi, hence the onset occurs at this time. Mu Gua Jian Decoction (*Mu Gua Jian Fang*) was prescribed, cured after three doses. Dai Yun stated: Neck pain is either due to Wind pathogen or Qi injury; there are also cases of pain resulting from sleeping awkwardly (Luozhen). All these should be treated with Heqi Yin (*Heqi Yin*), taken after meals. Note: Many people suffer from sprains or sleeping awkwardly for long periods, leading to stiff necks that cannot move. These are all due to Kidney Deficiency failing to generate Liver, and Liver Deficiency failing to nourish tendons, thus causing joint dysfunction. Liuwei Dihuang Wan (*Liuwei Dihuang Wan*) should be taken regularly.

The *Neijing* describes two acupuncture/moxibustion approaches for neck and nape pain: First, select the Hand and Foot Taiyang channels to treat posterior neck pain. The classics state: When the Foot-Taiyang channel moves abnormally, it causes disease where the neck feels like being pulled; select points based on excess, deficiency, cold, heat, or sinking conditions. It also states: For neck pain with inability to bend or extend, puncture the Foot-Taiyang channel. For inability to look back, puncture the Hand-Taiyang channel. It also states: For severe Wind causing neck and nape pain, puncture Fengfu (GV16). Fengfu is located in the upper vertebrae. It also states: When pathogenic factors lodge in the collaterals of the Foot-Taiyang channel, causing head, neck, and shoulder pain, puncture the point at the junction of the nail and flesh on the little toe, one on each side, for immediate effect. If ineffective, puncture three points below the lateral malleolus, treating the left side for right-side symptoms and vice versa, within the time it takes to eat a meal. Second, select the Foot and Hand Yangming channels to treat anterior neck pain. The classics state: Diseases generated by the Foot-Yangming channel include neck swelling. It also states: When the Hand-Yangming channel moves abnormally, it causes disease with neck swelling. In both cases, select points based on excess, deficiency, cold, heat, or sinking conditions.