Weak Limbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different weak limbs patterns according to TCM theory

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Condition Categories

13
TCM Patterns
43
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 13 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each weak limbs pattern
Classical remedies 43 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives weak limbs as a manifestation of underlying imbalances within the body’s energetic systems. TCM attributes this condition to deficiencies in Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, or Yang, or to obstruction in the flow of Qi and Blood due to external pathogenic factors like Cold or Dampness.

Identifying and correcting the specific disharmony through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary adjustments are central to TCM's treatment approach.

TCM Patterns for Weak Limbs

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Weak Limbs, Weakness in the limbs

6 variations documented
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs, Weakness in the limbs

Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen,

Qi Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat,

Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Diarrhea,

Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Diarrhea,

Stomach Qi Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Morning fatigue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Sticky vaginal discharge, Generalized fatigue, Depression, Cold extremities, Diarrhea, White vaginal discharge,

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Weak Limbs, Weak limbs, Sore and weak limbs

4 variations documented
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills,

Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak limbs

Along with: Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, Loss of appetite, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Vomiting clear liquid, Absence of thirst, Cold extremities,

Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with weak limbs

Sore and weak limbs

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Weak Limbs, Sore and weak limbs, Weak extremities

3 variations documented
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Mild chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with weak limbs

Sore and weak limbs

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak extremities

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Weak Limbs, Weak extremities

2 variations documented
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

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

Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak extremities

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Weak Limbs, Weak extremities

2 variations documented
Spleen Blood Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Diarrhea, Depression,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak extremities

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Sore and weak limbs

2 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with weak limbs

Sore and weak limbs

Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Damp-Heat
How it presents with weak limbs

Sore and weak limbs

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

Heat

Causes: Sore and weak limbs

2 variations documented
Damp-Heat
How it presents with weak limbs

Sore and weak limbs

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

Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with weak limbs

Sore and weak limbs

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Essence Deficiency

Causes: Weak Limbs

1 variation documented
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain,

Qi Rebellion

Causes: Weak Limbs

1 variation documented
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Irritability, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal oppression,

Qi Sinking

Causes: Weak Limbs

1 variation documented
Spleen Qi Sinking
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Sore and weak limbs

1 variation documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with weak limbs

Sore and weak limbs

Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Sore and weak limbs

1 variation documented
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with weak limbs

Sore and weak limbs

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Weak Limbs

1 variation documented
Empty-Cold
How it presents with weak limbs

Weak Limbs

Along with: Chills, Cold extremities, Pale face, Absence of thirst, Apathy, Excessive sweating,

Herbal Formulas for Weak Limbs

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address weak limbs

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Qi Deficiency Qi Sinking Yang Deficiency Dampness Phlegm

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Stasis Blood Deficiency

Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Qi Stagnation Blood Stasis Blood Deficiency

Yi Huang Tang

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Qi Deficiency Yang Deficiency

Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Cold Yang Deficiency

Er Xian Tang

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Yang Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Qi Stagnation Qi Rebellion

Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Dampness Phlegm

Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan

Addresses these weak limbs patterns:

Qi Deficiency Yang Deficiency