Joint Stiffness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different joint stiffness patterns according to TCM theory

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11
TCM Patterns
37
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 11 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each joint stiffness pattern
Classical remedies 37 herbal formulas documented

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), joint stiffness is perceived through the concept of 'pattern differentiation.' A pattern in TCM is a complex framework used to diagnose the nature of a patient's disharmony by interpreting a constellation of symptoms and signs. It goes beyond the superficial manifestation of a condition, aiming to understand the underlying cause of symptoms such as joint stiffness.

Identifying the pattern is crucial because it guides the practitioner to a tailored treatment strategy. It ensures that the intervention—whether it be with acupuncture, herbs, or lifestyle modifications—addresses the root of the disharmony rather than just the surface symptom, fostering a more holistic healing process.

TCM Patterns for Joint Stiffness

Cold

Causes: Joint stiff, Joint pain, Joints pain, Reduced range of motion in the affected joints, Aching bones and joints

5 variations documented
Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint stiff, Joint pain

Along with: Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Muscle pain, Swollen joints, Muscle numbness, Stiff neck

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Cold
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joints pain

Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joints pain

Along with: Arthralgia, Wind phobia, Fever

Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with joint stiffness

Reduced range of motion in the affected joints

Along with: Swollen and painful joints worsening at night, Joint stiffness, Chills without sweating, Weight loss, Headaches, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
How it presents with joint stiffness

Aching bones and joints

Along with: Body pain, Bone and joint pain, Cold extremities, Absence of thirst, Aversion to cold, Migraine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Joint stiff, Joint pain, Joints pain, Reduced range of motion in the affected joints, Aching bones and joints

5 variations documented
Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint stiff, Joint pain

Along with: Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Swollen joints, Skin numbness, Heavy joint, Muscle numbness

Damp-Heat
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint pain

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Cold
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joints pain

Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with joint stiffness

Reduced range of motion in the affected joints

Along with: Swollen and painful joints worsening at night, Joint stiffness, Chills without sweating, Weight loss, Headaches, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
How it presents with joint stiffness

Aching bones and joints

Along with: Body pain, Bone and joint pain, Cold extremities, Absence of thirst, Aversion to cold, Migraine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Heat

Causes: Joint stiff, Joints pain, Joint pain

3 variations documented
Heat invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint stiff, Joints pain

Along with: Arthralgia, Joints red and hot, Fever, Thirst, Anxiety, Wind phobia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint pain

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint pain

Along with: Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Joint pain, Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back

2 variations documented
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint pain

Along with: Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness,

Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with joint stiffness

Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back

Along with: Feeling of heaviness, Limb numbness, Difficulty in moving, Stiffness in neck, shoulder, and upper back, Periarthritis of the shoulder, Rheumatoid arthritis

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Joint pain

2 variations documented
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint pain

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache,

Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint pain

Along with: Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Joint pain, Reduced range of motion in the affected joints

2 variations documented
Exterior Wind
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint pain

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Wind phobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with joint stiffness

Reduced range of motion in the affected joints

Along with: Swollen and painful joints worsening at night, Joint stiffness, Chills without sweating, Weight loss, Headaches, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Joint stiff, Joints pain

1 variation documented
Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles
How it presents with joint stiffness

Joint stiff, Joints pain

Along with: Skin numbness, Skeletal deformities, Joint stiffness, Arthralgia, Muscle pain

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Aching bones and joints

1 variation documented
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
How it presents with joint stiffness

Aching bones and joints

Along with: Body pain, Bone and joint pain, Cold extremities, Absence of thirst, Aversion to cold, Migraine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Shoulder stiffness

1 variation documented
Blood Stagnation
How it presents with joint stiffness

Shoulder stiffness

Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps,

Yang Excess

Causes: Stiff shoulder, Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back

1 variation documented
Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with joint stiffness

Stiff shoulder, Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back

Along with: Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth,

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back

1 variation documented
Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with joint stiffness

Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back

Along with: Feeling of heaviness, Limb numbness, Difficulty in moving, Stiffness in neck, shoulder, and upper back, Periarthritis of the shoulder, Rheumatoid arthritis

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Joint Stiffness

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address joint stiffness

Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Cold Dampness Wind

Fu Zi Tang

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Cold Dampness Yang Deficiency

Xiao Huo Luo Dan

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Cold Dampness

Ba Zheng San

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Dampness Heat

Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Heat Yin Deficiency

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Yin Deficiency Yang Excess

Juan Bi Tang

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Wei Ling Tang

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Cold Dampness

Wu Tou Tang

Addresses these joint stiffness patterns:

Cold