POLYMYOSITIS/DERMATOMYOSITIS

Clinical Manifestations
  • Polymyositis is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. Its name means "inflammation of many muscles". The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation. The muscle weakness associated with polymyositis involves the muscles closest to the trunk, such as those in the hips, thighs, shoulders, upper arms and neck. The weakness affects both the left and right sides of the body and tends to gradually worsen.
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
  • Initial-Stage: Decoct 30g Hb. Impatientis Tou Gu Cao, 25g Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi and 9g Flos Carthami Hong Hua and apply as a warm wash three times a day.
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Dark, red, swollen skin lesions which may itch
  • Generalized pain and weakness which tends to be worse in hot weather
  • Possible hot, swollen, red, painful joints
  • Aggravation of symptoms in women before and during menstruation
  • T: Red or Pale with a red tip or Dry or Scanty (may be slimy at the root)
  • C: Yellow
  • P: Thready, slippery and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Disperse Wind
  • Clear Heat
  • Dry Dampness
  • Nourish and invigorate the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • The initial symptoms either fever or
  • Weakness of the limbs
  • Lack of strength and numbness arise after the fever subsides
  • Heart vexation
  • Thirst
  • Dry, irritated throat
  • Maybe scanty, yellow urination
  • A tendency toward dry stools
  • T: Red
  • C: Yellow
  • P: Rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Moisten Dryness
  • Nourish the Lungs
  • Generate Fluids
Herb Formulas
  • Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang  modified
  • Once generalized Heat has receded completely, if there is a dry mouth, parched throat, muscle and flesh limpness, weakness, scanty Fluids and a red tongue: Yi Wei Tang  modified
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Usually occurs with Wind-Damp conditions
  • Limb wilting
  • Limpness and weakness which gradually worsens
  • Poor appetite
  • Loose stools
  • Facial edema
  • Lack of facial luster
  • Lassitude
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Thready and weak
Treatment Principle
  • Strengthen the spleen
  • Tonify Qi
  • Nourish the Blood
  • Strengthen the sinews
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Dark red or crimson skin lesions
  • Muscular atrophy
  • Joint pain
  • Cyanosis of the finger tips and toes
  • Emaciation
  • Reduced food intake
  • Fatigue
  • Poor appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Lassitude
  • Weakness
  • Cold abdomen
  • Loose stools or
  • Daybreak diarrhea
  • Aversion to cold
  • Cold extremities
  • Low back and knee soreness and weakness
  • T: Pale and fat
  • C: White
  • P: Deep and weak, possibly slow
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify the Kidneys
  • Tonify Yang
  • Strengthen the Spleen
  • Tonify Qi
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • A relatively long disease course
  • Wilting limpness and lack of strength in the four limbs
  • Especially in the lower extremities
  • Spasms and cramps
  • Numbness of the limbs
  • Lower and upper back soreness and weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Seminal emission
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • T: Red
  • C: Little or None
  • P:Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish the Liver and Kidneys
  • Enrich Yin
  • Clear Heat
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Fatigue
  • Loose stools
  • Poor appetite
  • Dizziness
  • Pale face
  • Weak voice
  • Shortness of breath
  • Reluctance to speak
  • Sweating with little or no exertion
  • Palpitations
  • Insomnia
  • Dry skin
  • Dry hair
  • Poor memory
  • Paleness
  • Scanty periods
  • Tinnitus or deafness
  • Poor memory
  • Aching, soreness or weakness of low back
  • Spermatorrhea or premature ejaculation
  • Aching in bones
  • Aching in leg and heel
  • Pain, swelling and obvious tenderness in the superficial veins along the limbs or the thoracoepigastric walls
  • Hard cord-like swollen masses may be felt
  • In the affected areas, there is redness, swelling, pain, tenderness and cord-like masses,
  • T: Red or Pale or Pale, thin and dry
  • C: Little or None or Yellow
  • P: Thready and rapid or or Taut and rapid or Weak or Thin and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify and nourish Qi, Yin and Blood
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Break up Stagnation
  • Clear Heat
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Enduring disease with marked Raynaud's phenomenon or skin and flesh sclerosis
  • Abdominal tumors or static abdominal lumps
  • Wilting and weakness of the four extremities
  • Numbness and insensitivity of the hands and feet
  • Spasmodic pain in the body and limbs
  • Purplish-red macules
  • T: Purple or Static spots
  • C: White
  • P: Choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Boost Qi
  • Nourish the Ying
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Unblock the channels
Herb Formulas
Points
Clinical Manifestations
  • Heavy, encumbered extremities
  • Wilting and limpness
  • Lack of strength
  • Maybe minor simultaneous swelling and numbness
  • Condition worse in the lower extremities
  • Possible fever or emission of Heat
  • Chest and epigastrium glomus
  • Short, reddish urination
  • T: Red
  • C: Slimy and yellow or Slimy and yellowish white
  • P: soft and rapid or Slippery and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Resolve Dampness
  • Soothe the sinews
  • Unblock the channels
Herb Formulas
Points
  • REN-3, SP-9, ST-36, ST-44 + local points
    For Dampness predominant with chest and epigastric glomus and oppression and heavy, swollen limbs: + REN-12, SP-6
    For numbness and insensitivity of the limbs, inhibited bending and extending and a purple tongue or static maculae or spots: + LI-11, SP-10
    For numb, insensitive and cold limbs: + REN-4
Clinical Manifestations
  • Acute dermatomyositis
  • High fever
  • Dry throat and mouth with a desire for cold drinks
  • Tidal redness and burning Heat of the skin of the eyelids and face
  • Dark, red macules
  • Burning joint and muscle pain
  • Poor appetite
  • Dry stools
  • Reddish, yellow urine
  • Severe:
    Clouded spirit
    Anxiety
    Irritability
  • T: Normal
  • C: Dry and yellow
  • P: Wiry, slippery and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Resolve toxicity
Herb Formulas
Points