Gui Zhi Tang with Shao Yao for Refractory Muscle Pain
By Daniel Cho, L.Ac. (email: c0454445@gmail.com)
*Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang: Shao Yao 12 Da Zao 8 Gui Zhi 6 Sheng Jiang 6 Gan Cao 4 ×2
Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang patients tend to be tilted toward Deficient Cold Types. In terms of CAPE signs, the body type ranges from underweight to normal, with physical strength categorized as weak to average, a pale complexion, a Yin-natured personality, and an aversion to cold. However, patients are often more inclined toward Excessive Types than those using Gui Zhi Tang. They tend to be a bit more obese, and their stamina is also a bit stronger. Mild obesity is possible. Physical strength can also be moderate. But the CAPE signs generally correspond to those of Gui Zhi Tang.
Physical symptoms are comprised of Gui Zhi Tang’s Main Symptoms, Possible Symptoms, and Tendencies. The primary symptoms of Gui Zhi Tang include aversion to cold, coldness of the limbs, and body pain triggered by cold stimulation. Possible Symptoms of Gui Zhi Tang include upper rush and muscle signs associated with Da Zao and Shao Yao. Tendencies are fatigue after sweating, and common colds with body aches.
Stomach fullness is a primary symptom of Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang. Stomach fullness is the most important distinguishing point between Gui Zhi Tang and Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang. The clinical expressions are as follows:
“My stomach is full of gas, so I feel bloated, and my stomach feels full.”
“Stress, overwork, and poor condition often cause and worsen stomach gas.”
“When my stomach is full of gas, comorbidities are often caused and aggravated.”
“After meals, I should take a walk. If I sit or lie down immediately after eating without moving, my stomach becomes full of gas, which makes me uncomfortable.”
As you can see, many symptoms of Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang are triggered by abdominal fullness. For example, there was a patient with panic disorder who would have panic attacks when his stomach was full of gas. Or his chest would also become full, along with fever and headaches, when his stomach was full of gas. Symptoms of panic disorder were worsened with a full stomach. And musculoskeletal pain patients would say, ‘When the pain started, I had a lot of gas in my stomach,’ or ‘When my stomach is full of gas, my pain gets worse.’
Indications
- Digestive disorders, musculoskeletal pain, gynecological disorders, skin disorders, psychiatric disorders, etc.
- Soft/loose stools or diarrhea, abdominal pain, hernia, and proctoptosis due to irritable colon syndrome.
- Musculoskeletal pain disorders that show muscle pain due to muscle tension ▶ When there is little or no progress in treating muscle pain with Gui Zhi Tang. Suppose the muscle pain is primarily caused by muscle tension (even if there are no symptoms of Shao Yao). In that case, there may be progress with Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang, particularly with an increased amount of Shao Yao.
- Menstrual pain, premenstrual syndrome, Postpartum Wind, etc.
- Childhood atopic dermatitis, etc.
- Childhood tic disorder, panic disorder, etc.
