Swollen Joints in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different swollen joints patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Swollen joints are a common symptom indicating inflammation or fluid accumulation within a joint, leading to its enlargement and often accompanied by pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. This condition can affect any joint in the body but is most frequently observed in the knees.
It may result from various underlying causes, including injury, arthritis, or infections, significantly impacting one's quality of life. Understanding the specifics of swollen joints is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the need for medical attention when this symptom is present.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a distinct perspective on swollen joints, diverging from the pathophysiological explanations commonly found in Western medicine. TCM interprets swollen joints as a manifestation of underlying imbalances or disharmonies within the body's energy system.
It emphasizes the importance of identifying the specific pattern of disharmony causing the symptom, as this determination guides the treatment strategy. According to TCM, swollen joints can result from a variety of patterns, each requiring a tailored therapeutic approach to restore balance and health.
TCM Patterns for Swollen Joints
Dampness
Causes: Swollen joints, Red and swollen knees
Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
Swollen joints
Along with: Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Skin numbness, Heavy joint, Muscle numbness
Damp-Wind
Swollen joints
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness, Body pain, Muscle pain, Feeling of heaviness
Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
Red and swollen knees
Along with: Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions, Ulcers on the lower limbs, Scanty and dark urine, Painful urination, Dry mouth
Heat
Causes: Swollen joints, Red and swollen knees
Heat invading the Channels joints and muscles
Swollen joints
Along with: Arthralgia, Joints red and hot, Fever, Thirst, Anxiety, Wind phobia, Joint stiffness
Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
Red and swollen knees
Along with: Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions, Ulcers on the lower limbs, Scanty and dark urine, Painful urination, Dry mouth
Cold
Causes: Swollen joints
Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
Swollen joints
Along with: Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Muscle pain, Muscle numbness, Stiff neck
Wind
Causes: Swollen joints
Damp-Wind
Swollen joints
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness, Body pain, Muscle pain, Feeling of heaviness
Herbal Formulas for Swollen Joints
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address swollen joints
Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind
- Eliminates Dampness and transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates the Blood
- Removes Stagnation and relieves pain
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Muscle pain, Muscle numbness, Stiff neck
Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Skin numbness, Heavy joint, Muscle numbness
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels wind and dampness
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Damp-Wind
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness...
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Induces sweating
- Dispels Dampness
- Expels Wind-Cold
- Clears Interior Heat
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Damp-Wind
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness...
Cang Er Zi San
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Relieves pain
- Unblocks the nose
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Damp-Wind
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness...
Xiao Feng San
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Eliminates Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Nourishes the Blood
- Relieves skin itchness
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Damp-Wind
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness...
Ku Shen Tang
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind
- Dries Dampness
- Kills parasites
- Relieves itching
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Damp-Wind
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness...
Hai Tong Pi Tang
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Disperses swelling
- Dispels Wind, Dampness and Cold
- Removes Stagnation and relieves pain
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Damp-Wind
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness...
Er Miao San
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Dampness from the Lower Burner
- Drains Heat from the Lower Burner
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
How it manifests:
Red and swollen knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions...
Wu Tou Tang
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the channels and remove obstruaction
- Disperse Cold and Dampness
- Warms the joints
- Relieve joints pain
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Muscle pain, Muscle numbness, Stiff neck
Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Wind Damp from the Channels
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks the channels
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Arthralgia, Joint stiffness, Skin numbness, Heavy joint, Muscle numbness
Xuan Bi Tang
Addresses these swollen joints patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears and resolves Damp-Heat
- Unblocks the meridians
- Disbands painful obstruction
Addresses These Swollen Joints Pattern Variations
Heat invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it manifests:
Swollen joints
Accompanying symptoms:
Arthralgia, Joints red and hot, Fever, Thirst, Anxiety, Wind phobia...