Traditional Chinese Medicine

Perspective on Knee Pain

Continued from previous panel.

2. KNEE PAIN CAUSED BY STAGNATION

Traditional Chinese Medicine Stagnation refers to conditions in which the circulation of
Perspective on Knee Pain Qi or Blood becomes weak, sluggish, clotted, and even
blocked. Stagnation may be caused by Deficiency con-
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), knee
pain may be one of the symptoms that indicates a sys-
ditions that involve poor nutritional extraction from food
consumed with a resulting lack of energy that gradually
Knee Pain
temic illness. Knee pain may also be accompanied by induces Stagnation; or by External Causes, such as TCM FORMULA SELECTION GUIDE
general body ache, or pain in other joints. Here we dis- Wind, Cold, Dampness, injuries, or excessive exercise.
cuss knee pain that is the sole or major problem.
Knee pain caused by Stagnation is characteristically
As with many other symptoms or disorders, there are
various causes and underlying conditions that can
sharp, constant, and location-fixed. Movement and QTT Knee Support
massage bring temporary relief. Individuals who suffer
cause knee pain. However, based on twenty years of from Stagnation are prone to having cold hands and feet
practice and study of cases in the United States, we and a purplish color to the nails.
have found that knee pain problems may be organized B-DS Promote Circulation
into three main categories: 3. KNEE PAIN CAUSED BY DAMPNESS AND EX-
Knee pain caused by Deficiency CESSIVE HEAT
Knee pain caused by Stagnation
GJTF Joint Support
The causes of knee pain caused by Dampness or Ex-
and cessive Heat may be either external or internal. This
Knee pain caused by Dampness and Excessive Heat. category also includes knee pain from acute infection, XDH Pelvic Support
inflammation, or gout.
1. KNEE PAIN CAUSED BY DEFICIENCY
Dampness and Excessive Heat may also cause knee
Approximately seventy-to-eighty percent of knee pain
problems belong to the category of Deficiency causes.
pain that is accompanied by swelling or a burning sen- YYT-2 Back Support
sation. When this kind of knee pain gets worse, the skin
According to TCM theory, many of the channels along
around the knee gets red and feels warm, or even hot to
which Qi flows through the body meet at and run
through the knee. Also, since tendons and bones work the touch. A fever may also develop. ZGTF Sciatic Peace
together in the knee to support nearly the entire weight
of the body, the knee is one of the major joints of the In cases of long-term knee pain, the causes become
body and it is easy for any type of Deficiency, including more complicated, often with two or more conditions
JING Lower Muscle Support
Deficiencies of qi, blood, yin or yang to affect the knee existing together and exacerbating each other. For such
joint. compound problems, it is necessary to combine two or 3LO-
more formulas that match the underlying causes and Knee Lotion
TCM theory holds that the tendons are regulated by the
presenting symptoms.
KNEE
Liver and the bones by the Kidney. Therefore, it is us u-
ally the case that most of the Deficiency conditions that Zhengang Guo, L.Ac.
underlie knee problems are mainly related to Liver
Note: Words that are capitalized refer to terms used in TCM
and/or Kidney Deficiencies. theory that may vary from commonly-used definitions or under-
The main symptoms of knee pain caused by Deficiency standing.
are
1. knee pain that is intermittent and worse during For thousands of years, herbal formulas just like these have
or after physical activity (such as physical la- been relied on for health and well-being in China.
bor, exercise, and going up and down stairs), Now you can enjoy the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medi-
and cine herb al formulas through the LIFE RISING ® product line of
2. weakness of the knee(s) and leg(s). These Chinese Herbal supplements.
2131 South Archer Avenue, Suite A, Chicago, Illinois 60616
symptoms are often accompanied by lower Phone (312) 842-2775 USE UNDER COMPETENT SUPERVISION. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
back pain or soreness, fatigue, and a prone- PROMPTLY IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY ALLERGIC OR ADVERSE REACTIONS.
Website: http://www.liferising.com
ness to feeling chilled or cold.
LIFE RISING and the Life Rising logo are registered trade- Statements made in this document have not been evaluated by the
Knee pain caused by Deficiency gets worse in the fall marks of LIFE RISING CORPORATION Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
and winter. © Copyright 2004, 2005, LIFE RISING CORPORATION.
Continued on following panel. All Rights Reserved.
 ®
LIFE RISING PRODUCT SELECTION GUIDE
Key
Main Symptoms and Underlying Conditions Formula

Knee Pain KNEE PAIN of DEFICIENCY TYPE (main symptoms include KNEE PAIN, stiffness, weakness) QTT
QTT +
KNEE PAIN of STAGNATION TYPE (pain is usually sharp and constant; pain location(s) fixed)
B-DS
Knee Support QTT
KNEE PAIN of DAMPNESS-HEAT TYPE QTT +
INDICATIONS: Knee pain; most kinds of knee disor-
XDH
ders, such as stiffness, swelling, and weakness.
Use One of
PROPERTIES: Warm and slightly Cool.
Add as Needed Above
ACTIONS: Invigorates Blood and Qi circulation; clears With
Wind-Dampness and Cold; opens and activates the if w LOWER BACK PAIN + YYT-2
meridians and channels, tonifies Liver and Kidney;
strengthens tendons and joints. if w LEG SPASM(S) + JING
INGREDIENTS: Astragalus Root, Achyranthes Root, White
Mustard Seed. if w SCIATIC PAIN + ZGTF

if w GENERAL JOINT PAIN or ARTHRITIS + GJTF

3LO -
Also, for most KNEE PAIN apply KNEE LOTION w self-massage
KNEE
Promote Circulation B-DS
INDICATIONS: Chronic deep, sharp, and stubborn pain Pelvic Support XDH Lower Muscle Support JING
problems; numbness and dysfunction. INDICATIONS: Painful, burning, itching, frequent and INDICATIONS: Leg muscle spasms. Weak, stiff, or
PROPERTIES: Cool. urgent urination with dark or cloudy urine as with uri- aching lower back and legs.
ACTIONS: Cools Blood; promotes Blood circulation to nary tract infection or acute prostate gland infection. PROPERTIES: Warm
remove stubborn stagnation. Burning and itching vagina with yellow, strong-smell- ACTIONS: Tonifies Liver Yin and Blood. Removes
INGREDIENTS: Peach Seed, Chinese Rhubarb Rhizome, ing discharge as with acute vaginal yeast infection. Dampness. Promotes Channel circulation. Nourishes
Eupolyphaga, Red Peony Root, Safflower, Achyranthes PROPERTIES: Cold and strengthens tendons and muscles.
Root.
ACTIONS: Clears Lower Burner Damp-Heat, Toxic INGREDIENTS: White Peony Root, Flowering Quince Fruit,
Heat, and Excess Heat; induces diuresis and relieves Achyranthes Root, Nut Grass Rhizome, Pubescent Angelica
water retention. Root.
INGREDIENTS: Phellodendron Bark, Southern Tsangshu
Rhizome, Gardenia Fruit, Black Nightshade, Asian Psyllium.

Joint Support GJTF Back Support YYT-2 Sciatic Peace ZGTF

INDICATIONS: Muscle and joint pain; swelling and INDICATIONS: Lower back pain and stiffness, espe-
stiffness. Also, arthritis with heat and dampness. INDICATIONS: Sciatic Pain; most kinds of pain or
cially after long periods of sitting or standing. Also, fa- numbness; muscle spasms.
PROPERTIES: Neutral tigue, proneness to feeling chilled, and other typical
symptoms of Kidney Yang Deficiency. Also for fre- PROPERTIES: Warm. Slightly Spicy.
ACTIONS: Removes Wind, Heat, Dampness, and
Stagnation, especially in limbs and joint areas; quent urination. ACTIONS: Quiets Wind. Cleanses Mucus. Resolves
strengthens muscles, tendons, and joints. PROPERTIES: Warm and Hot. Stagnation. Opens the Channels and Collaterals. Im-
proves circulation, especially in sciatic and general leg
INGREDIENTS: Achyranthes Root, Chinese Dodder Seed, ACTIONS: Tonifies Kidney and Liver, especially Kid-
areas.
Job's Tears Seed, Phaseolus Seed, Pubescent Angelica ney Yang. Eliminates Cold and Damp. Strengthens
Root, Lycopus. INGREDIENTS: Scorpion. Agkistrodon.
tendons and bones.
INGREDIENTS: Prepared Aconitum Tuber, Chinese Dodder
Seed, Mistletoe Stem, Drynaria Rhizome, Sichuan Teasel
Root, Pubescent Angelica Root, Ginger Rhizome.