Tingling in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different tingling patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Tingling, medically known as paresthesia, is a sensation of prickling, stinging, or pins and needles typically felt in the limbs. This sensation can range from mildly irritating to quite painful and is often transient, though it can persist in some cases. Tingling is commonly experienced in the arms and legs and can be associated with various conditions such as nerve compression, circulatory issues, or systemic diseases.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tingling is seen as a symptom resulting from various patterns of disharmony within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which might attribute tingling to nerve issues or poor circulation, TCM looks at the broader picture of bodily imbalance. Identifying the correct pattern of disharmony is crucial before treatment can be effectively administered, as the underlying causes can vary significantly.
TCM Patterns for Tingling
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Tingling, Tingling of limbs
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Tingling
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Blood Deficiency
Tingling, Tingling of limbs
Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory, Insomnia
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
Tingling of limbs
Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety, Easily startled, Dull pale complexion, Pale lips, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Night blindness, Limb numbness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Muscle cramps, Muscle weakness, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Withered and brittle nails
Liver Blood Deficiency
Tingling of limbs
Along with: Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Insomnia, Eye floaters, Night blindness, Amenorrhea, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Vivid dreaming
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Tingling of limbs
Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Scanty menstruation
Wind
Causes: Tingling, Tingling of limbs
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
Tingling
Along with: High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Tingling of limbs
Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Scanty menstruation
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Tingling of limbs
Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Tingling of limbs
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Tingling of limbs
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, 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
Liver Yin Deficiency
Tingling of limbs
Along with: Dizziness, Limb numbness, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Dry eyes, Night blindness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull pale complexion, Flushed cheekbones, Muscle weakness, Muscle cramps, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Night sweats, Vivid dreaming, Afternoon fever, Hot palms and soles, Preference for sipping
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Tingling
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Tingling
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Yang Excess
Causes: Tingling of limbs
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Tingling of limbs
Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Heat
Causes: Tingling
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
Tingling
Along with: High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Herbal Formulas for Tingling
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address tingling
Bu Gan Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and regulates the Blood
- Nourishes the Liver Yin
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Poor memory...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Dry eyes...
Feng Yin Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals
- Calms the Mind
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
How it manifests:
Tingling
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
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:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Dry eyes...
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes Blood
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Poor memory...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
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:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Nourishes the Yin
- Anchors the Yang
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
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:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Warms Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen and Lungs
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes wind
- Invigorates the blood
- Clears heat
- Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
How it manifests:
Tingling
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Qi
- Warms and tonifies Blood
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Increases Fluids
- Relaxes the sinews
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
How it manifests:
Tingling
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Hand tremor, Opisthotonos
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling, Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Poor memory...
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Dry eyes...
Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi
- Generates Blood
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling, Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Sheng Yu Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Preserves the Blood
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Qing Gu San
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat from Deficiency
- Alleviates steaming bone disorder
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin and Blood
- Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind
- Calms the Liver
- Anchors the yang
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Yi Guan Jian
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Dry eyes...
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Beautifies hair
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness...
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang
Addresses these tingling patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood
Addresses These Tingling Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tingling, Tingling of limbs
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...