Damp impediment

1. Also fixed impediment (bì). An impediment (bì) pattern arising when wind, cold, and predominantly dampness invades the channels and joints. Damp impediment is characterized by heaviness of the limbs, stubborn numbness of the skin, pain in the joints of fixed location triggered by yīn-type (dull wet) weather.

Medicinal therapy: Treatment is based primarily on dispelling dampness, and secondarily on dispersing wind and expelling cold, and supplementing the spleen and moving qì, using formulas such as Dampness-Eliminating Impediment-Alleviating Decoction (除湿蠲痹汤 chú shī juān bì tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Main points: ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán), and SP-5 (Shang Hill, 商丘 shāng qiū). Needle with drainage and add moxa, or use warm needle technique. Cutaneous needling and cupping may also be used.

See impediment for selection of points according to affected area.

2. Leg qì with pain and numbness in the legs. See damp leg qì.