Heavy body

Also generalized heaviness. A sensation of heaviness with inhibited physical movement. Heavy body is due to dampness in the fleshy exterior arising through exposure to external dampness, wind contending with water, or yáng vacuity water flood.

Patterns

Dampness in the fleshy exterior (湿着肌表 shī zháo jī biǎo) arises through exposure to external dampness and is characterized by heavy body and generalized pain with difficulty in turning side. There is heat effusion and aversion to cold, headache and distension in the head as if the head were swathed, oppression in the chest, torpid intake, a thin white slimy tongue fur, and a moderate soggy pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Promote sweating and dispel dampness, using Notopterygium Dampness-Overcoming Decoction (羌活胜湿汤 qiāng huó shèng shī tāng).

Wind contending with water (风水相搏 fēng shuǐ xiāng bó) arises when external wind fetters the lung and affects qì transformation. The heavy body it causes is less marked than in the previous pattern, and there is swelling of the eyes and face. Attending signs include fear of wind and cold, heat effusion, headache, aching joints, cough, sore throats, scant urine, a thin white tongue fur, and a pulse that is floating.

Medicinal therapy: Diffuse the lung and disinhibit water using Spleen-Effusing Decoction Plus White Atractylodes (越婢加朮汤 yuè bì jiā zhú tāng).

Yáng vacuity water flood (阳虚水泛 yáng xū shuǐ fàn) gives rise to heavy body when qì transformation is weakened owing to spleen-kidney yáng vacuity. Heavy body in this case is not associated with pain. In addition, there is puffy swelling of the slower limbs that pits when pressure is applied, a withered-yellow of somber-white lusterless complexion, torpid intake, sloppy stool, lassitude of spirit and cold limbs, heavy aching lumbus, short voidings of scant urine, a pale enlarged tongue with a white slimy fur, and a pulse that is sunken, fine and moderate.

Medicinal therapy: Spleen-Firming Beverage (实脾饮 shí pí yǐn) or True Warrior Decoction (真武汤 zhēn wǔ tāng).