Limb Numbness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different limb numbness patterns according to TCM theory

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Condition Categories

9
TCM Patterns
32
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 9 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each limb numbness pattern
Classical remedies 32 herbal formulas documented

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), limb numbness is often seen as a manifestation of an underlying disharmony within the body's energetic pathways. TCM interprets this condition as potentially stemming from Blood Deficiency, Phlegm accumulation, or an imbalance in Yin and Yang, particularly a Deficiency in Yin.

Treatment approaches in TCM aim to address these imbalances through a combination of acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes, emphasizing the restoration of harmony and flow within the body.

TCM Patterns for Limb Numbness

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Numbness in the limbs, Numbness in the extremities

6 variations documented
Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety,

Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

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

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs,

Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the extremities

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

Wind

Causes: Numbness in the extremities, Numbness in the limbs

4 variations documented
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the extremities, Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension,

Interior Wind
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder,

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs,

Wind-Phlegm
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Numbness in the limbs

3 variations documented
Phlegm
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness

Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Phlegm
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Numbness in the limbs, Numbness in the extremities

2 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the extremities

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: Numbness in the limbs

2 variations documented
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

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

Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters,

Yang Excess

Causes: Numbness in the extremities, Numbness in the limbs

1 variation documented
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the extremities, Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension,

Blood Stasis

Causes: Numbness in the limbs

1 variation documented
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Dull pale complexion, Weak limbs,

Dampness

Causes: Numbness in the limbs

1 variation documented
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Heat

Causes: Numbness in the limbs

1 variation documented
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
How it presents with limb numbness

Numbness in the limbs

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Limb Numbness

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address limb numbness

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Wind Yin Deficiency Yang Excess

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Yin Deficiency Wind Yang Excess

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency Blood Stasis

E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Wind Blood Deficiency Yang Excess

Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Wind Yin Deficiency Yang Excess

Bu Gan Tang

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Wind Blood Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Juan Bi Tang

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Wind Yang Excess

Yin Chen Hao Tang

Addresses these limb numbness patterns:

Dampness Heat