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.
Muscle pain can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like muscle pain here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here muscle pain is often associated with numbness of the muscles, numbness in the limbs and stifling sensation in the chest in the pattern “Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause muscle pain.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of muscle pain we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat muscle pain.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause muscle pain
In Chinese Medicine muscle pain is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, a formula used for Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles
Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian)
The bone deformities that occur in chronic rheumatoid arthritis are seen as a form of Phlegm.
In addition to muscle pain, other symptoms associated with Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles include numbness of the muscles, numbness in the limbs and stifling sensation in the chest.
Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles is often treated with Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that regulate blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates Blood".
Read more about Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles here
Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) is the king ingredient for Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang, a formula used for Damp-Wind
Damp-Wind
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Floating (Fu)
In addition to muscle pain, other symptoms associated with Damp-Wind include swollen joints, aversion to cold and fever.
Damp-Wind is often treated with Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Notopterygium Roots - Qiang Huo - as a key herb). Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dispel wind-damp", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Expels wind and dampness".
Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu) is the king ingredient for Wu Tou Tang, a formula used for Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
In addition to muscle pain, other symptoms associated with Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles include numbness of the muscles, swollen joints and joint pain.
Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles is often treated with Wu Tou Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Sichuan Aconite - Zhi Chuan Wu - as a key herb). Wu Tou Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the channels and remove obstruaction".
Read more about Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles here
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the king ingredient for Xiao Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is when, often due to a stagnant Qi, the Body Fluids are retained in the chest and Lungs.
In addition to muscle pain, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm include feeling of oppression of the chest, dizziness and coughing of copious thin and white sputum.
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm is often treated with Xiao Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Ephedra - Ma Huang - as a key herb). Xiao Qing Long Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear wind-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the king ingredient for Da Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is when Body Fluids stagnate in the four limbs instead of flowing in the body and getting released as sweat.
In addition to muscle pain, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs include coughing of copious thin and white sputum, feeling of heaviness and absence of sweating.
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs is often treated with Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Ephedra - Ma Huang - as a key herb). Da Qing Long Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear wind-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes sweating".
Five herbal formulas that might help with muscle pain
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Unblocks painful obstruction. Relieves pain. Invigorate Qi. Dispels Blood Stagnation. Unblock Channels.
Why might Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang help with muscle pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles' of which muscle pain is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm In The Channels Joints And Muscles include numbness of the muscles, numbness in the limbs and stifling sensation in the chest.
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
Why might Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang help with muscle pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Wind' of which muscle pain is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Wind include swollen joints, aversion to cold and fever.
Wu Tou Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Warms the channels and remove obstruaction. Disperse Cold and Dampness. Warms the joints. Relieve joints pain.
Why might Wu Tou Tang help with muscle pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles' of which muscle pain is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Cold Invading The Channels Joints And Muscles include numbness of the muscles, swollen joints and joint pain.
Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Lungs. Transforms congested Fluids.
Why might Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang help with muscle pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm' of which muscle pain is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Fluids Above The Diaphragm include feeling of oppression of the chest, dizziness and coughing of copious thin and white sputum.
Da Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Promotes sweating. Releases the Exterior. Clears Interior Heat.
Why might Da Qing Long Tang help with muscle pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' of which muscle pain is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Fluids In The Limbs include coughing of copious thin and white sputum, feeling of heaviness and absence of sweating.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat muscle pain
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with muscle pain?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle pain as a symptom, like Wu Tou Tang or Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Ephedra (Ma Huang) help with muscle pain?
Because Ephedra is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle pain as a symptom, like Da Qing Long Tang or Xiao Qing Long Tang for instance.
Ephedra is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Bladder and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Releases the surface through sweating. Promotes the circulation of Lung Qi and stop wheezing. Promotes urination.
Why might Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) help with muscle pain?
Because Cinnamon Twig is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle pain as a symptom, like Xiao Qing Long Tang or Da Qing Long Tang for instance.
Cinnamon Twigs is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood.
Why might Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi) help with muscle pain?
Because Schisandra Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle pain as a symptom, like Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang or Xiao Qing Long Tang for instance.
Schisandra Berries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen).
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with muscle pain?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle pain as a symptom, like Wu Tou Tang or Xiao Qing Long Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Other symptoms often associated with muscle pain
Numbness of the muscles Swollen joints Feeling of oppression of the chest Dizziness Coughing of copious thin and white sputum Numbness in the limbs Stifling sensation in the chest Bone deformities Aversion to cold Fever