Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment for Gout

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By Liu’s Health Assistant |

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches the treatment of gout with the following principles and methods:

    1. Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment: TCM emphasizes the creation of personalized treatment plans based on the patient’s constitution, etiology, symptoms, and other factors.
    1. Harmonizing Yin and Yang: The treatment focuses on balancing the Yin and Yang within the body to unblock the meridians, which helps alleviate joint pain and swelling.
    1. Herbal Medicine : TCM uses herbal formulas such as Shang Zhong Xia Tong Feng Tang, Si Miao San, Bai Hu Gui Zhi Tang, and Xuan Bi Tang, which have properties like clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting Qi circulation and blood resolution, diuretic, and pain relief.
    1. Principles of Treatment: TCM summarizes the principles of treating gout into four key points, including grasping the pathogenesis, treating both the root and symptoms, nourishing the body’s Qi, and dispelling external pathogens.
    1. Acute and Chronic Phases: TCM differentiates between the acute and chronic phases of gout. The acute phase is characterized by damp-heat, and treatment focuses on clearing heat, resolving dampness, and reducing inflammation. The chronic phase is associated with spleen and kidney deficiency, and treatment aims to strengthen these organs while clearing heat and resolving dampness.
    1. External Therapies: In addition to internal medicine, TCM also uses external applications, acupuncture, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), and other methods to alleviate symptoms.
    1. Diet and Rehabilitation: TCM also emphasizes the role of dietary regulation and physical rehabilitation in the treatment of gout, advising patients to avoid high-purine foods and to consume foods that clear heat and promote diuresis, as well as engaging in moderate aerobic exercise.
    1. Prevention and Care: TCM believes that the key to preventing gout lies in regulating the body to prevent the invasion of external pathogens, which includes maintaining a dry and ventilated living environment, dietary hygiene, moderation, exercise, and emotional well-being.

In summary, the treatment of gout in TCM is a comprehensive process involving medication, diet, exercise, and other adjustments, aiming to treat gout through overall regulation.