9 Inquiry of the symptoms over the loins, back and four limbs
Symptoms over the loins, back and four limbs can be seen in the regional disorders of the loins, back and four limbs, but also seen in the disorders of the viscera. The inquiry of such symptoms should be done together with the inquiry of other symptoms.
1.3.3.9.1 Cold sensation in the back
This condition is often caused by exogenous wind and cold or predomination of yin due to yang asthenia or internal retention of phlegm and fluid.
1.3.3.9.2 Aching loins
Aching loins refers to continuous discomfort and aching sensation in the waist, usually caused by kidney asthenia, or by obstruction of wind and dampness, or by sprain due to overstrain.
1.3.3.9.3 Heaviness of the body
Heaviness of the body refers to the heavy, aching and lethargic sensation of the body, usually accompanied by dropsy, often caused by failure of the lung to disperse and descend, failure of the triple energizer to dredge water passage, or failure of the spleen to transport and transform, or failure of the kidney to govern water, giving rise to retention of fluid in the muscles. Heaviness of the body with spiritual lassitude and dyspnea is usually caused by failure of the spleen to transform due to asthenia, encumbrance of the spleen by dampness and obstruction of yangqi.
1.3.3.9.4 Numbness of the four limbs
Numbness of the four limbs refers to hypoesthesia or disappearance of the sense of muscles on the four limbs, usually caused by asthenia of qi and blood, or by internal disturbance of liver wind, or by damp phlegm and obstruction of the meridians and vessels by blood stagnation.
