Stiff Back Due To Hemiplegiaaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Paralysis and Movement Neurological Disorders, Back and Neck Stiffness and Discomfort
Parent symptom: Back Stiffness
What is Hemiplegic Back Stiffness?
Hemiplegic back stiffness is a medical condition characterized by rigidity and inflexibility in the back, often associated with hemiplegia — a type of paralysis affecting one side of the body.
This stiffness is not just a muscular issue but is intricately linked to the neurological changes due to hemiplegia, making the back muscles on the affected side rigid and inflexible. It's a specific form of back stiffness that significantly impacts a patient's mobility and quality of life.
How does TCM View Hemiplegic Back Stiffness?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches hemiplegic back stiffness through a holistic lens, viewing it as a manifestation of underlying imbalances in the body's energy systems.
TCM practitioners believe that this condition arises from disharmonies in the body's vital Qi, Yin, and Yang energies. The emphasis in TCM is on identifying these imbalances and rectifying them through a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and other traditional therapies.
Causes of Hemiplegic Back Stiffness According to TCM
In TCM, hemiplegic back stiffness is often attributed to specific patterns of disharmony within the body. One common cause is the obstruction of Qi and Blood flow, which results in muscle stiffness and rigidity. This is typically a consequence of an underlying Wind-Damp Painful Obstruction, where the pathogenic influences of Wind and Dampness obstruct the flow of Qi and Blood in the channels.
Another potential cause is Kidney Deficiency, which in TCM is believed to be a fundamental source of bone and muscle strength. Addressing these patterns is key to alleviating the symptoms of hemiplegic back stiffness.
TCM Herbs for Stiff Back Due To Hemiplegia
In treating hemiplegic back stiffness, TCM recommends several herbs that target the underlying patterns of disharmony. Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness, such as Ground pine (Shen Jin Cao), are commonly used.
Ground Pine, known for its bitter, pungent, and warm properties, targets the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver channels, making it effective in treating Wind-Damp Painful Obstruction. The choice of herbs is tailored to the patient’s specific TCM pattern, ensuring a personalized treatment approach.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Stiff back due to hemiplegia can be treated by these herbs when it is due to the invasion or accumulation of wind and dampness, which often affects the muscles and joints.
One such herb is Ground Pine (Shen Jin Cao), which is directly recommended for stiff back due to hemiplegia.