In Tian Village, there was an elderly man named Qiao (his full name forgotten) who developed a joint pain condition in his old age. The pain alternated between his hands and feet, moving unpredictably from left to right. Several doctors diagnosed it as “paralysis” and prescribed over a thousand doses of medicine, yet none worked. Bedridden for years, his family had even prepared funeral arrangements. Surprisingly, his appetite and bowel/urinary functions remained normal.
A local merchant from the capital who knew of my medical reputation requested my consultation. Upon arrival, I first asked his son: “What illness does your father have?” The son replied: “Paralysis.” I cautioned: “Fewer than 2-3 out of 10 elderly patients recover from paralysis. Still, I should examine him.”
Entering the room, the elderly man greeted me respectfully. His speech was clear, with no facial asymmetry, and his mental state appeared alert. I asked: “Do your limbs feel numb?” He answered: “No numbness—just sudden, unbearable pain.” Upon checking his pulse, all six positions felt slow, deep, and slightly weak.
I explained: “You have Bi Syndrome caused by dampness (Shi Bi), not paralysis! Cold-dampness is trapped in your muscles and joints, making your limbs feel leaden. Does turning over feel like moving a mountain, requiring assistance?” The man exclaimed: “Exactly! Please prescribe medicine!”
“Recovery is possible but requires time,” I said. “You’ll need dozens of herbal doses combined with rehabilitation. The earliest you might walk with a cane is three months; latest six months.” The patient agreed: “I’ll follow your plan!”
Treatment Process:
Phase 1 (5 days):
Prescribed Wuling Lizhong Decoction (a formula to dispel cold-dampness) with added:
Aconite (fuzi)
Atractylodes (cangzhu)
After five doses, pain lessened, abdominal bloating reduced, and appetite improved.
Phase 2 (15 days):
Switched to Qianghuo Shengshi Decoction (to enhance dampness expulsion and blood circulation) with added:
Achyranthes root (niuxi)
Cinnamon bark (rougui)
After two weeks, pain disappeared completely, but joint stiffness and walking difficulty remained.
Phase 3 (Long-term care):
Prescribed Baizhu Fuzi Decoction (to unblock joints) with added:
Pine node (songjie)
Dioscorea root (bixie)
After ten doses, switched to herbal pills. Family assisted him in walking dozens of steps twice daily—no further consultations needed.
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