Atrophy - Wei Zheng
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Definition
Wei Zheng is a syndrome characterised by flaccidity and weakness of muscles and tendons, and in severe cases hands can not hold and feet can not support the body, and after a period of time degenerate into muscular atrophy and loss of voluntary movements.
Causes and Pathological Mechanisms
Internal Injuries
- Emotions – consumes Essence, Qi and Blood – Deficient Heat in the 5 main Zang organs – Wei Zheng
- Overwork – Spleen and Stomach qi injuries – muscles and joints lose nourishment – Wei Zheng; working in extremely hot condition – kidney yin injury; drinking large amount of cold drink – kidney yang injury – both cause bone and marrow over-consumption – We Zheng (Bone Wei)
- Oversex – essence exhaustion – Wei Zheng
- Improper Diet – spicy and rich food – Dampness suppresses the Spleen – muscles lose nourishment – Wei Zheng; Damp Heat burns the Lung and Damp Heat flows to Kidney and Liver – kidney and liver essence injury - Wei Zheng (“Neijing”: “Wei Zheng is a result of burnt lung leaves by heat.”); lack of nutrition – muscles lose nourishment – Wei Zheng
Exogenous Evils Attack
- Dampness Injuries: living in damp conditions, working in water – Damp Heat invasion –muscle dampness and numbness – Wei Zheng
- Transformed from Febrile Diseases: Heat injuries Qi and Yin – muscles lose nourishment – Wei Zheng
Patterns
Lung Heat Impairs Fluid
- Symptoms: Fever first or febrile diseases first, followed by weakness and loss of power of the limbs and the body (sometimes after fever receding). Dry skin, vexation, thirsty, dry throat, dry cough with little phlegm, dark and scanty urination and constipation.
- Tongue: Red tongue with little coating
- Pulse: Thready and Rapid
- Treatment strategy: Clear heat, moisturise dryness, nourish lung and generate fluid
- Formula: Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
- Acupoints:
Damp Heat Soaking
- Symptoms: Weakness and loss of power in limbs and body with heavy sensation, minor oedema, numbness. Mostly happens in the lower limbs and onset can be quite rapid. Fever, stuffy chest and epigastrium, dark and scanty urination with pain and difficulties.
- Tongue: Yellow and greasy tongue coating
- Pulse: Soggy and Rapid
- Treatment strategy: Clear heat, drain dampness and unblock vessels
- Formula: Jia Wei Er Miao San
- Acupoints:
Spleen Qi Deficiency and Stomach Qi Deficiency
- Symptoms: Weakness and loss of power in limbs and body, gradually but progressively deteriorating. Poor appetite, stuffy abdomen, loose faeces, puffy face, pale complexion, short of breath, listlessness and tiredness.
- Tongue: Pale tongue with thin white coating
- Pulse: Thready
- Treatment strategy: Invigorate spleen and tonify qi to improve transport and ascending the pure
- Formula: Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
- Acupoints:
- Symptoms: Weakness and loss of power in limbs and body, gradually but progressively deteriorating, slow onset, mostly in the lower limbs. In serious cases: completely unable to stand and walk, severe atrophy of leg muscles. Weak and achy lower back and spine, unable to stand long, dizziness, blurred vision, hair loss, dry throat, tinnitus, seminal emission, urinary incontinence and abnormal menstruation.
- Tongue: Red tongue with little coating
- Pulse: Thready and Rapid
- Treatment strategy: Tonify liver and kidney, replenish yin and clear heat
- Formula: Hu Qian Wan
- Acupoints:
References
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