Cervical spine disease according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, cervical spine disease is sometimes associated with Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's cervical spine disease might be caused by the pattern Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from cervical spine disease alone. Indeed if cervical spine disease is caused by Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, patients also experience symptoms such as generalized body pain, aching bones and joints, cold extremities and no thirst. Similarly, patients with Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen), minute (Wei) or slow (Chi) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp so that you can have a better understanding of where cervical spine disease might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below four formulas that can help treat Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp.
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with cervical spine disease
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Minute (Wei), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Fu Zi Tang
Symptoms: No thirst Cold extremities Generalized body pain Aching bones and joints Aversion to cold - especially at the back
Cervical spine disease might be due to Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as generalized body pain, aching bones and joints, cold extremities and no thirst. Similarly, patients with Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen), minute (Wei) or slow (Chi) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
The four herbal formulas that might help with cervical spine disease
Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Meridians. Assists the Yang. Dispels Cold. Transforms Dampness.
Why might Fu Zi Tang help with cervical spine disease?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, a pattern sometimes associated with cervical spine disease. If it looks like you might suffer from Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ma Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Releases exterior cold. Treats wheezing.
Why might Ma Huang Tang help with cervical spine disease?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with cervical spine disease. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ge Gen Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior and muscle layer. Forms Body Fluids.
Why might Ge Gen Tang help with cervical spine disease?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with cervical spine disease. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Why might Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang help with cervical spine disease?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with cervical spine disease. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to cervical spine disease
Generalized body pain Aching bones and joints Cold extremities No thirst Aversion to cold - especially at the back
