Tic Disorder in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different tic disorder patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Tic disorder encompasses a range of conditions characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements or vocalizations. These tics are sudden and brief, often resembling normal movements that have been taken out of context and exaggerated. Subtypes of tic disorders can manifest as facial tics, including rapid blinking or grimacing. While tics can sometimes be suppressed temporarily, they are typically not under the person's voluntary control and may worsen with stress or excitement.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets tic disorders as a disruption in the natural flow of Qi and Blood, often caused by internal imbalances or external pathogenic factors.
TCM emphasizes the significance of identifying the specific disharmony within the body's energetic system, such as Liver Wind or Yin Deficiency, to effectively address the involuntary movements associated with tic disorders. By focusing on the root cause, TCM aims to harmonize the body’s energies and alleviate the symptoms.
TCM Patterns for Tic Disorder
Wind
Causes: Tics, Facial tic
Interior Wind
Tics
Along with: Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder, Mouth deviation, Eye deviation, Tremors, Headaches, Limb numbness
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
Tics
Along with: High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Facial tic
Along with: Fine tremor, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Insomnia, Scanty menstruation
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Facial tic
Along with: Tremors, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Tics
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Tics
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility, Melasma
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Facial tic
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Facial tic
Along with: Fine tremor, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Insomnia, Scanty menstruation
Yang Excess
Causes: Facial tic
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Facial tic
Along with: Tremors, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Heat
Causes: Tics
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
Tics
Along with: High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Herbal Formulas for Tic Disorder
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address tic disorder
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Facial tic
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Facial tic
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat...
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes Blood
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Facial tic
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Facial tic
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat...
Feng Yin Tang
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals
- Calms the Mind
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Facial tic
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat...
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes wind
- Invigorates the blood
- Clears heat
- Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Increases Fluids
- Relaxes the sinews
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Nourishes the Yin
- Anchors the Yang
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Facial tic
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat...
Bu Gan Tang
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and regulates the Blood
- Nourishes the Liver Yin
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Facial tic
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Facial tic
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory...
Gui Shao Di Huang Tang
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Zuo Gui Yin
Addresses these tic disorder patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Tonifies the Kidneys
Addresses These Tic Disorder Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tics
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...