Numbness, Paresthesia, Tingling

General

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness describes a loss of sensation or feeling in a part of the body. Paresthesia is a sensation of tingling, tickling, pricking, or burning of a person's skin with no apparent long-term physical effect. The manifestation of a paresthesia may be transient or chronic. The most familiar kind of paresthesia is the sensation known as "pins and needles" or of a limb "falling asleep".
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas	For pharyngeal paresthesia: Ban Xia Hou Po Tang With back pain: Chinese Patent Medicine: Kang Gu Zheng Sheng Pian
Points	HT-3, PC-8 Arm: HT-3, LI-10 Scalp: Contralateral middle 2/5 of the sensory area Fingers: Baxie, SJ-5 Leg: 1. GB-31, Linghuo, Maibu, ST-32 2. Bafeng, Linghuo, ST-36 Scalp: Contralateral upper 1/5 of the sensory area Toes: Bafeng, Linghuo, ST-36

Wind

Clinical Manifestations	Moving numbness Flaccid muscles Moving pain Affect the shoulders and limbs primarily Limbs and joints may be swollen and painful The pain never ceases T: Normal C: White P: Floating, choppy and tight
Treatment Principle	Dispels Wind Alleviates pain and numbness
Herb Formulas	Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Points	DU-14, GB-31, GB-34, GB-39, LI-4, LI-11, LI-15, SJ-5, UB-40, UB-58

Wind Invasion With Emptiness Of The Channels

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness of the extremities Paralysis of the extremities Sudden facial paralysis Dysphagia Arthralgia T: Normal C: White P: Floating and wiry or Thready and wiry
Treatment Principle	Expel Wind Clear Heat or Cold Nourish and invigorate Qi and Blood Unblock the channels
Herb Formulas	Da Qin Jiao Tang Xiao Xu Ming Tang Qian Zheng San Chinese Patent Medicines: Tian Ma Wan Ren Shen Zai Zao Wan Da Huo Luo Dan
Points

Wind-Cold

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness of the limbs Limbs cramped and painful The pain is sharp Severe when Cold Relieved by warmth Usually occurs at night T: Normal C: White P: Choppy and tight When associated with Dampness: Heavy body Occurs in Damp weather C: White and moist P: Choppy
Treatment Principle	Expel Wind Dispel Cold Ventilate the Lungs Resolve Phlegm
Herb Formulas	Ma Huang Tang Xiao Qing Long Tang
Points	DU-16, GB-20, LI-4 + LU-7 or LI-4 + KI-7, LU-5, UB-12, UB-13

Summerheat And Dampness

Clinical Manifestations	Fixed pain and numbness Heavy swelling Limbs slow and weak Mental confusion Numb skin Electrical numbness (paresthesia)
Treatment Principle	Disperse Wind Clear Heat Resolve Damp
Herb Formulas	Xing Ren Hua Shi Tang Superimposed with Wind-Cold: Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin
Points	GB-34, LI-11, REN-6, REN-12, SJ-5, SP-6, ST-36, UB-12, UB-17, UB-20, UB-23

Wind-Cold-Damp Bi With Liver And Kidney Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Excruciating sharp, stabbing joint pain Pain alleviated by warmth and aggravated by Cold Pain with fixed location Few joints are involved The joints cannot be flexed or extended No local redness or Heat Painful area often feels cold to the touch Pain worse at night and better during the day Pain mostly affects low back and lower extremities Pain intense but short lived Pain changes over days or weeks Ankylosis (stiffness) of joint Aversion to Cold Maybe chills with a slight fever Anhidrosis Frequent nocturnal urination T: Pink or Pale C: Thin and white (thicker than for Wind-Bi) P: Superficial and tight or Wiry and tight - maybe slow
Treatment Principle	Warm the channels Activate Qi and Blood.
Herb Formulas	Da Fang Feng Tang San Bi Tang Juan Bi Tang With Qi and Blood Deficiency: Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Points	To warm and circulate channels and collaterals: LIV-3, moxa LI-4, ST-36, GB-34, GB-31, SJ-5, SJ-4, UB-23, REN-4 Or Moxa UB-23, REN-4, GB-39 Arm pain: moxa needle GB-21, LI-8, LI-9, LI-10, LI-11, LI-13, LU-9

Wind-Damp Blocking The Channels

Clinical Manifestations	Joint pain, especially in the wrist, ankle, knee and elbow Muscle pain There may be numbness and heaviness in the limbs The pain is worse with Cold and better with warmth The pain is aggravated by Wind The pain aggravated by Dampness The pain is stabbing Muscle weakness Difficult movement Numbness of the muscles and skin Hemiplegia, especially of the upper limbs The pain alleviated by movement Slight muscle edema Heaviness of the joints Cold joints Aversion to Cold The pain worse at night Local inflammation Migratory pain Deviation of the eyes and mouth Spasm of the limbs T: Slightly purple or purple spots C: Thick and white P: Slippery or Slightly superficial or slightly rough or Slow and Soft or Wiry and tight or Floating and wiry
Treatment Principle	Remove Wind-Dampness Circulate Qi and Blood Stop numbness
Herb Formulas	Juan Bi Tang San Miao Wan + Si Wu Tang
Points

Wind-Damp- Bi : Damp Predominant

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness and heaviness of the extremities Soreness and fixed pain of joints Stiffness or numbness of the muscles or skin Pain worse on cloudy or rainy days Maybe peripheral or systemic edema Pain is alleviated by pressure and warmth Pain lingers and is recalcitrant to treatment Worse during cloudy or wet weather Limited movement Edema Maybe stifling sensation in chest Maybe anorexia or indigestion Maybe abdominal distention Maybe loose or semi-liquid stools T: Pink or Pale C: Greasy and white P: Slow, moderate and soft
Treatment Principle	Expel Damp Clear the channels
Herb Formulas	Yi Yi Ren Tang With Cold and/or Heat: Shu Jin Li An San Recurrent (with Heat): Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Points	To eliminate Dampness and ease sinews: 1. SJ-6, GB-34, SP-5, SP-6, SP-9, LI-10, ST-36, ST-40 2. UB-20, SP-9 When affected by weather changes: 1. SJ-5, UB-35, ST-36, SP-5 2. SP-5, ST-38, ST-36 3. LI-13, ST-32, UB-38, GB-30, GB-34, SJ-8, DU-1 Lower back pain: moxa DU-2 Legs: GB-29, GB-30, UB-40

Wind-Damp Bi With Blood Deficiency And Blood Stagnation

Clinical Manifestations	Muscle aches Joint pain Radiating pain in the legs Low back pain Edema Numbness in the lower extremities Pain in the trunk and extremities Abdominal pain Sciatica Aversion to Wind and Cold Knee pain T: Pale or Pink with purple spots C: Normal P: Choppy or Taut
Treatment Principle	Unblock and relax the channels Invigorate the Blood Break up Blood Stasis Dispel Wind-Dampness Strengthen the tendons
Herb Formulas	Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Points	To eliminate Dampness and ease sinews: 1. SJ-6, GB-34, SP-5, SP-6, SP-9, LI-10, ST-36, ST-40 2. UB-20, SP-9 When affected by weather changes: 1. SJ-5, UB-35, ST-36, SP-5 2. SP-5, ST-38, ST-36 3. LI-13, ST-32, UB-38, GB-30, GB-34, SJ-8, DU-1 Lower back pain: moxa DU-2 Legs: GB-29, GB-30, UB-40

Wind-Damp Bi With Qi And Blood Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness of the joints Bones and joints sore and painful Worse with movement Face is dull yellow Spasms or contractures of muscles and sinews Palpitations Asthenia Shortness of breath Spontaneous sweating Weight loss Poor appetite Diarrhea T: Pale C: None or White P: Soggy and Weak or Thin and Faint
Treatment Principle	Strengthen Qi Nourish the Blood Expel Wind and Dampness Stop numbness and pain
Herb Formulas	Ba Xian Tang Jia Wei Ba Xian Tang
Points

Central Qi Sinking

Clinical Manifestations	Prolapse of one or more organs Sallow complexion Anorexia Four limbs feel numb, tired and heavy Abdominal and epigastric distention after eating Maybe acid regurgitation or vomiting Loose stools Shortness of breath T: Pale and flabby - may have teethmarks C: White P: Even or Soft and thready
Treatment Principle	Strengthen the Spleen Benefit Qi Reinforce the Center Invigorate Yang
Herb Formulas	Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Points	DU-20, other points are selected according to the type of prolapse

Liver Wind Stirring Internally: Liver Yang (Fire) Generates Wind

Clinical Manifestations	Dizziness and vertigo to the point of falling over Headache with a drawing sensation Numbness and tremor of limbs Twitching and involuntary writhing of hands and feet Dysphagia Unsteady gait With Wind-Stroke: Sudden loss of consciousness Tongue stiffness with aphasia Facial paralysis Hemiplegia Maybe coma Sometimes death T: Red P: Thready and wiry
Treatment Principle	Nourish Yin Pacify the Liver Subdue Wind
Herb Formulas	Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin Chinese Patent Medicines: Ren Shen Zai Zao Wan Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan Niu Huang Jiang Ya Wan Jiang Ya Wan Jiang Ya Ping Pian
Points	Bleed the Jing-Well points of Six Hand Channels, needle DU-20, DU-26, GB-20, GB-34, KI-1, KI-3, LIV-2, LIV-3, PC-8, UB-18, UB-23 Upper limb: LI-4, LI-11, LI-15, SI-9, SJ-4, SJ-5, SJ-14 Lower limb: DU-3, GB-30, GB-34, GB-39, ST-36, ST-41, UB-60 With Qi Deficiency: Moxa With Liver Yang Excess: + LIV-3 Ear: Apex, Lower Blood Pressure Groove

Liver Wind Stirring Internally: Liver Blood Deficiency Generates Wind

Clinical Manifestations	Pale complexion Pale lips Blurred or failing vision Spots before eyes Dizziness Dry eyes Pale nail beds Irritability Frightens easily Insomnia with much dreaming Tinnitus Numbness of limbs Tremor, spasms or involuntary movements (chorea) Involuntary shaking of head Light menses or amenorrhea Late menses Tic or tremor of hands and feet Maybe trismus T: Pale C: Little P: Thready and wiry
Treatment Principle	Nourish the Blood Subdue Wind
Herb Formulas	Si Wu Tang Bu Gan Tang For late stage fevers: San Jia Fu Mai Tang
Points	DU-16, DU-20, GB-20, LIV-3, REN-4, SP-6, ST-36, UB-17, UB-18, UB-20

Liver Blood Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Pale complexion Pale lips Blurred or failing vision Spots before the eyes Dizziness Dry eyes Pale nail beds Irritability Frightens easily Insomnia with much dreaming Tinnitus Numbness of the limbs Light menses or Amenorrhea Late menses T: Pale C: Little P: Thready
Treatment Principle	Nourish the Liver Reinforce the Blood
Herb Formulas	Si Wu Tang Bu Gan Tang For head and eye signs and symptoms: Qi Ju Di Huang Wan For menstrual disorders: Hei Xiao Yao San
Points	LIV-3, SP-6, moxa needle REN-4, ST-36, UB-17, UB-18, UB-20

Liver And Kidney Yin Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Facial complexion pale and sallow Both cheeks slightly red Dizziness Dry eyes Blurred vision Spots before the eyes Numbness of limbs Flaccid paralysis (Wei syndrome), weakness Tinnitus Deafness Forgetfulness Low back and knees sore and painful Throat dry and painful Five sole Heat Low-grade fever Night sweats Irritability Insomnia Stools difficult to pass Constipation Men: Spermatorrhea Women: Irregular menses or Scanty menses or Amenorrhea Vaginal discharge T: Red C: None P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle	Nourish and Reinforce the Liver and Kidneys
Herb Formulas	Da Bu Yin Wan+ Liu Wei Di Huang Wan modified For stubborn cases, tremors or muscle spasms: Da Ding Feng Zhu If due to substance abuse: Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Chinese Patent Medicines: He Che Da Zao Wan Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan
Points	KI-3, LIV-3, SP-6, UB-18, UB-23 HT-7, KI-3, KI-6, LIV-3, LIV-8, LU-7, REN-4, UB-18, UB-23 With anxiety: + PC-6, Yintang

Liver And Kidney Yin Deficiency With Kidney Yang Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Slurred speech Stiffness of the tongue Deviation of the tongue Weakness Numbness or paralysis of the lower limbs Palpitations Shortness of breath T: Pale or Red C: Little or None P: Thready and weak or Deep, slow and thready
Treatment Principle	Nourish Kidney and Liver Yin Tonify Kidney Yang Open the Orifices Transform Phlegm
Herb Formulas	Di Huang Yin Zi
Points	HT-5, KI-3, KI-6, LIV-3, REN-4, REN-23, Shanglianquan, ST-36, UB-23

Qi Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Fatigue Loose stools Anorexia Dizziness Pale face Weak voice Reluctance to speak Sweating with little or no exertion T: Pale C: White P: Empty
Treatment Principle	Tonify Qi
Herb Formulas	Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Points	KI-3, LU-9, SP-6, ST-36

Qi And Yang Deficiency With Blood Stagnation Obstructing The Channels

Clinical Manifestations	Hemiplegia Motor impairment Numbness Maybe complete loss of sensation Paralysis Atrophy of the lower limbs Facial paralysis Slurred speech Drooling Dry stools Frequent urination Urinary incontinence Deviation of the eyes and mouth Excess salivation Cold extremities Asthenia T: Normal C: White P: Moderate
Treatment Principle	TonifY Qi Invigorate the Blood Unblock the channels
Herb Formulas	Bu Yang Huan Wu Tangmodified Chinese Patent Medicines: Ren Shen Zai Zao Wan Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan Niu Huang Jiang Ya Wan
Points	Upper limb: LI-4, LI-11, LI-15, SI-9, SJ-4, SJ-5, SJ-14 Lower limb: DU-3, GB-30, GB-34, GB-39, ST-36, ST-41, UB-60 With Qi Deficiency: Moxa With Liver Yang Excess: + LIV-3

Qi And Blood Stagnation

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness and pain that is fixed, stabbing and /or severe or Pains that move around Maybe swelling Distention Depression Irritability Pan is worse with pressure Dark complexion Fixed, palpable masses Bleeding with clots Purple lips Purple nails Dry skin Blue, dark or purplish discoloration of skin in small or large areas, Varicose and spider veins Cold hands and feet Tendency to hemorrhage dark blood or clots T: Purple, possible purple or red spots Red purple if there is Heat Blue purple if there is Cold C: White P: Choppy or Wiry and choppy
Treatment Principle	Activate the Blood Break up Stagnation
Herb Formulas	With water accumulation in the legs: Jiu Wei Bing Lang Jia Wu Fu Tang
Points	GB-41, SJ-5 GB-40, GB-41, LIV-3, LIV-14, PC-6, SJ-6, SP-6, SP-10, ST-36, UB-17, UB-18, UB-40

Qi And Blood Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Numbness and weakness of the extremities Spasms and contractures of the extremities Mild trembling of the limbs Facial numbness Shaking of the head Shortness of breath Usually long term Slow to initiate movement A slow, shuffling gait A somber, pale, white or sallow and lusterless facial complexion Pale lips and nails Fatigue Lassitude Weakness Aversion to Cold Disinclination to speak Stiffness of the neck and back Difficulty moving Spontaneous cool perspiration Dizziness Insomnia Blurred vision Palpitations Loose stools Maybe edema All symptoms are worse with exertion T: Thick and pale or Thick and dark with teethmarks or petechiae C: Thin P: Thready or Thready and weak
Treatment Principle	Tonify Qi Nourish the Blood Extinguish Wind Unblock the channels
Herb Formulas	Ba Zhen Tangmodified Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Points	LI-4, LIV-3, UB-17, UB-18, UB-20, UB-21 For Spleen Yang Deficiency: + REN-4 For Kidney Yang Deficiency: + DU-4, UB-23 For more severe Blood Deficiency: + UB-15 For Blood Stagnation: + SP-6, SP-10 For severe fatigue and weakness: + ST-36 For edema: + REN-9, SP-9 For twitching or severe tremors: + GB-20, GB-34 With inhibited bending and stretching: + DU-14, DU-26, REN-24 With pain and numbness in the upper limbs: + SJ-5 With pain and numbness in the lower limbs: + UB-57 With generalized joint pain: + LI-11, SP-9, Ahshi points With instability when walking: + KI-6, UB-62 Facial numbness: LI-4, UB-17, UB-18, UB-20, UB-21 With numbness of the forehead: + GB-14, ST-8 With numbness of the cheeks: + SI-18, ST-3, ST-4, ST-6 With numbness of the upper lip: + DU-26, ST-4 With numbness of the lower lip : + REN-24, ST-4 With numbness of the temples: + Taiyang With numbness around the eyes: + GB-1, Taiyang, UB-2

Qi , Blood And Yang Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Fatigue Anorexia Dizziness Pale face Weak voice Reluctance to speak Sweating with little or no exertion Dizziness Palpitations Insomnia Dry skin Dry hair Poor memory Paleness Scanty periods Chills Cold limbs Inability to get warm Loose stools Profuse clear urine Spontaneous sweating Lassitude T: Pale C: White or Thin, white and dry P: Slow, deep and weak or Empty or Thready and rapid or Weak
Treatment Principle	Tonify Qi and Blood Strengthen the Spleen Tonify Yang
Herb Formulas	Ren Shen Dang Shao San
Points

Blood Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Dizziness Palpitations Insomnia Numbness Dry skin Dry hair Poor memory Paleness Fatigue Scanty periods T: Pale C: Thin, white and dry P: Choppy or Wiry and choppy
Treatment Principle	Nourish Blood Tonify the Spleen
Herb Formulas	Si Wu Tang Ren Shen Zi Xue Tang Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang
Points	LIV 3, SP-6, ST-36, UB 11, UB-17 KI-6, LU-7, PC-6, SP-4

Blood Stagnation Due To A Mild Attack Of Wind-Cold

Clinical Manifestations	Relatively superficial numbness without pain Paresthesia and numbness of the skin and flesh Paresthesia of the shoulders Neck and shoulder stiffness and pain Abdominal pain alleviated by warmth and pressure Pale complexion Hemiplegia Stiff tongue Flaccidity if the extremities Migratory pain Pain, weakness, tightness or spasms of the extremities Spontaneous sweating Shortness of breath Aphasia Excess salivation Aversion to Wind T: Normal or Thick C: White or Smooth and white or White and greasy P: Faint, choppy and tight or Slightly rough and tight or Large and weak or Slow and large
Treatment Principle	TonifY Qi and Blood Warm and harmonize the channels and collaterals Harmonize the Ying and Wei Unblock painful obstruction Warm the Middle Jiao Dispel Cold Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas	Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang
Points

Phlegm Stagnation In The Middle Jiao

Clinical Manifestations	Pain in both arms Inability to lift the hands Symptoms more pronounced on one side Numbness in both hands Superficial edema in all four extremities Palpitations with vomiting Coughing T: Normal C: White and greasy P: Deep and thready or Wiry and slippery
Treatment Principle	Dry Dampness Move Qi Soften hardness Transform Phlegm
Herb Formulas	Fu Ling Wan
Points

Phlegm-Dampness (Tan Yin)

Clinical Manifestations	Anorexia Edema Abdominal distention Numbness in the limbs Chest and hypochondriac distention Dizziness Nausea Vomiting Vertigo Thirst with no desire to drink Maybe no thirst Palpitations Shortness of Breath T: Normal C: Thick and slippery P: Slippery, full and maybe wiry
Treatment Principle	Warm and Dissolve Tan Yin
Herb Formulas	Qing Shi Hua Tan Tang
Points	PC-6, SJ-6, SP-6, SP-9, ST-40, UB-13, UB-20, UB-23

 

Wind-Phlegm (Feng Tan)

Clinical Manifestations	Paralysis of the limbs Numbness of the limbs Numbness of the face Slurred speech Deviated eyes Deviated mouth (wry mouth) Dizziness Vertigo Tinnitus Sputum in the throat Chest fullness and distention Epigastric fullness and distention Nausea Vomiting Hypertension Stroke T: Deviated and trembling C: Thick P: Slippery and maybe wiry
Treatment Principle	Resolve Phlegm Subdue Wind Unblock the channels
Herb Formulas	Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang Er Chen Tangmodified Qian Zheng San Kong Xian Dan Di Tan Tang For dysphagia: Jie Yu Dan modified Facial numbness: Qian Zheng San + Dao Tan Tang
Points	HT-5, LI-4, LI-11, REN-23, Shanglianquan, SJ-6, SP-6, ST-40 Facial numbness: GB-20, LI-4 With numbness of the forehead: + GB-14, ST-8 With numbness of the cheeks: + SI-18, ST-3, ST-4, ST-6 With numbness of the upper lip: + DU-26, ST-4 With numbness of the lower lip : + REN-24, ST-4 With numbness of the temples: + Taiyang With numbness around the eyes: + GB-1, Taiyang, UB-2 Pre-stroke: ST-40, UB-40 Stroke (emergency): DU-26, KI-1, PC-9, Ting Points Post-stroke: Arm: LI-4, LI-11, LI-15, SI-3, SJ-5 Leg: GB-34, GB-35, UB-40, UB-60 Scalp: Motor area (contralateral - upper one-fifth)

Phlegm-Heat With Wind-Phlegm

Clinical Manifestations	Sudden heaviness Numbness or paralysis of the extremities on one side of the body Facial paralysis Dysphagia Disordered consciousness Dry stools Constipation Dizziness Copious Phlegm Drooling T: Stiff and quivering or Deviated C: Greasy and yellow P: Wiry and slippery
Treatment Principle	Expel Phlegm-Heat through the bowels
Herb Formulas	Xing Lou Cheng Qi Tang Chinese Patent Medicines: Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan Niu Huang Jiang Ya Wan Jiang Ya Wan Jiang Ya Ping Pian
Points	Anmian, GB-20, GB-21, GB-31, GB-34, GB-39, GB-41, LI-4, LI-11, LIV-2, LIV-3, PC-6, SJ-5, ST-36, ST-40, Yintang Ear: Apex, Lower Blood Pressure Groove