Library

This condition arises because the body's healthy qi is deficient, causing the cou li (the texture of the skin and interstices, including sweat pores) to open, allowing wind pathogenic factors to invade the sinews. In spring, encountering bi syndrome results in sinew-bi, leading to sinew contraction; when pathogens lodge in the joints, they cause sinew spasm.

When pathogens invade the collaterals of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, it causes stiffness and tightness in the shoulder and back. The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian is the meridian of the Liver. The Liver governs all sinews and is predominant in Spring. If its meridians are deficient and wind pathogens are encountered, the sinews are damaged, resulting in spasms and contractures of the four limbs, preventing flexion and extension.

Upon pulse diagnosis, if the pulse is rapid, thin, and taut like a string, it indicates sinew tension and foot contracture. If the sinew contraction persists and is further exposed to pathogens, the disease may transmit into the Liver. The symptoms include being startled during sleep at night and frequent urination. Treatments involving decoctions, hot compresses, acupuncture, and stone therapy have separate specific formulas. Methods for tonification, nourishment, and guiding/dispersing qi are attached below.

The "Health Preservation Formulas · Daoyin Methods" states: Push and pull alternately with both hands forward and backward to the utmost extent, repeating this twenty-one times (3 x 7). Palms face downward, head lowered facing the heart, directing qi down to Yongquan (KI1) and Cangmen (ST10) acupoints. Then, hold breath and exert force briefly to adjust posture, then release the qi and relax. When body qi is calm, move the head, tilting shoulders forward and backward obliquely, performing fourteen gentle repetitions (2 x 7). This removes cold blood from the Jing (Well) points of the shoulders. Sinew tension will gradually dissipate.

It also states: Embrace the left knee with both hands, extend the waist, inhale through the nose for seven breaths, and extend the right leg. This treats difficulty in flexion and extension, difficulty in bowing and rising, and pain or atrophy in the shins.

It also states: Embrace the right knee against the chest/epigastrium. This treats heaviness in the lower body and difficulty in flexion and extension.

It also states: Sit in a squatting position, extend the right foot, embrace the left knee with both hands, extend the waist, inhale through the nose, and strive for seven breaths. Extend the right foot outward. This treats difficulty in flexion and extension, difficulty in bowing and rising, and pain or numbness in the shins.

It also states: Stand upright, straightening the body from top to bottom. One hand pushes upward, palm up as if pushing an object; the other hand presses downward as if pressing on something. Perform this to the utmost extent, moving up and down repeatedly, switching positions thirty-two times (4 x 7). This expels wind from the shoulders, removes cold blood from the Jing (Well) points of both shoulders, and relieves spasm of the sinews and vessels in both axillae.

It also states: Sit in a squatting position, extend the left foot, embrace the right knee with both hands, extend the waist, inhale through the nose, and strive for seven breaths. Extend the left foot outward. This treats difficulty in flexion and extension, difficulty in bowing and rising, and pain or numbness in the shins.

Wind causing the body and extremities to be unresponsive (bu sui) occurs because body qi is deficient, cou li are open, and wind pathogenic factors injure the meridians of the Spleen and Stomach. The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian is the meridian of the Spleen, which pairs with the Stomach. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is the meridian of the Stomach, known as the Sea of Water and Grain. The Spleen corresponds to the muscles of the body and assists the Stomach in digesting and transporting the essence of water and grain to nourish the body and four limbs. When Spleen qi is weak, muscles become deficient. Invaded by wind pathogens, the Spleen cannot assist the Stomach in transporting water and grain essence, leaving the four limbs and muscles without nourishment. Wind pathogens remain in the meridians, battling in the Yang meridians. Qi movement becomes sluggish, joints become lax and relaxed, causing the body and extremities to be unresponsive.

Diagnosing the Spleen pulse, if it is slow and weak, it indicates Feng Wei (Wind Atrophy), characterized by non-use of the four limbs. If the Heart and Kidney pulses are also abnormal, speech becomes difficult, the nine orifices are blocked, and the four limbs cannot be lifted. If the Kidney pulse comes excessively strong, death ensues. Treatments involving decoctions, hot compresses, acupuncture, and stone therapy have separate specific formulas. Methods for tonification, nourishment, and guiding/dispersing qi are attached below.

The "Health Preservation Formulas · Daoyin Methods" states: Vigorously shake both buttocks left and right, holding breath for nine cycles (jiu tong). This cures buttock pain and fatigue, and wind-induced unresponsiveness. Shaking the buttocks involves alternating vibrations, similar to the meaning of "Jue." During the nine breath-holding cycles, one lies prone and performs these movements, named "Toad Qi Circulation." Long-term practice cures buttock pain, fatigue, wind-induced unresponsiveness, loss of pain and itch sensation, and allows assuming various postures.

It also states: Lie supine, bring knees together, spread feet, extend the waist, inhale through the mouth, and vibrate the abdomen to the utmost extent for seven breaths. This treats high fever, pain, and unresponsiveness of the calves.

It also states: To treat pain, oppression in the four limbs, unresponsiveness, and accumulated qi in the abdomen, the bed must be flat. Lie supine with the body straight, loosen clothing belts, use a pillow three cun high, and perform Wo Gu (firm grip). Wo Gu means wrapping the thumb inside the other four fingers with each hand. Extend arms so they are five cun away from the body. Point toes upward, keeping feet five cun apart. Calm the mind and intent, harmonize the breath, do not think of other matters, focus intention on qi, and slowly perform Shu Li Quan (rinsing sweet spring/saliva). Shu Li Quan means licking lips, oral cavity, and teeth with the tongue, then swallowing saliva. Slowly exhale through the mouth and inhale through the nose into the throat. Perform gently and slowly; do not rush or force it until breath is fully harmonized. When guiding and exhaling qi, do not hear the sound of inhalation or exhalation. With each guidance of qi, mentally send it out from the toe tips. Guide qi for five or six breaths, then exhale once, counting as one respiration cycle. Gradually increase from ten breaths per cycle up to one hundred or two hundred cycles; the illness will be cured. Avoid raw vegetables, fish, and fatty meats. Do not practice qi circulation immediately after full meals or while experiencing anger, joy, worry, or resentment. Practice only in the quiet morning hours, which is excellent and can cure myriad diseases.