Joint Pain: Acupuncture Combined with Heat Application
Joint arthritis is a general term used by the public for joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, shoulder periarthritis, etc., often manifesting as joint pain, difficulty walking, joint swelling, and in severe cases, joint stiffness and immobility, causing great suffering.
Arthritis Belongs to Bi Syndrome
Dr. Wu Chunjie, Deputy Chief Physician at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialty Department of Beijing TCM Hospital, explains that in TCM, arthritis falls under the category of “Bi Syndrome.”
“Bi” sounds like “closed,” meaning obstruction. “Obstruction leads to pain,” hence symptoms like joint pain, stiffness, and numbness. From an external perspective, arthritis results from invasion by wind, cold, and dampness pathogens, traveling along meridians and lodging in joints, causing blocked Qi and blood flow. This corresponds to common beliefs: “getting chilled by wind”; “being frozen by cold water”; “not keeping warm after sweating”; “living in damp, dark places”—all predispose one to arthritis.
Acupuncture Relies on Skill Over Force
Western medicine relies on drugs “by force,” overpowering pathogens with strong medication. Acupuncture, however, emphasizes skill—“using finesse to overcome great strength.” Thus, an acupuncturist may lightly needle a few seemingly unrelated or irrelevant points, yet the patient’s condition improves.
For treating arthritis, acupuncturists tailor point selection based on the type of “Bi Syndrome.” For example, in knee pain due to “Bi” syndrome with severe pain, local points like Dubi (ST35) and Hejing (EX-LE10) are selected, along with distant points such as Shenshu (BL23) and Guanyuan (CV4). Dubi and Hejing are local points; Shenshu and Guanyuan are distant points. Guanyuan lies at Dan Tian, the origin of vital energy and primordial Qi, considered the root of meridians. Though seemingly unrelated to knee arthritis, needling this point boosts yang energy, helping expel cold pathogens and strengthen the body—treating arthritis at its root.
Use Herbal External Applications
Dr. Wu says arthritis can also be treated with moxibustion, salt therapy, and cupping. For example, heat salt can be applied: coarsely grind salt, stir-fry until hot, wrap in gauze, and apply to the affected joint, rubbing back and forth. Cupping can also treat arthritis: use glass, bamboo, or clay cups, place a burning paper strip inside, or ignite a torch inside the cup, then apply the cup to fleshy areas of the affected region. Warm moxibustion using mugwort or candles can also be applied to the affected area.
Dr. Wu shared a herbal compress recipe for arthritis: Chicken Blood Vine 30g, Fuzi 10g, Gui Zhi 10g, Chishao 10g, Danggui 10g, Hai Fengteng 10g, Sheng Yimi 10g, Tao Ren 10g, Hong Hua 10g, Cang Zhu 10g, Si Gua Luo 10g, Niuxi 10g. Boil these herbs, soak a towel in the decoction, and apply it hot to the affected area several times daily. This helps eliminate pathogenic factors causing arthritis and proves effective.