Frequently experiencing numbness and tingling in your hands and feet that's persistent and hard to shake, along with soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, stiff joints, and frequent nighttime urination? Don’t worry! These discomforts are often related to "deficiency of qi, blood, and essence, and blockage of the channels and collaterals." Today, we'll outline the corresponding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approaches for recuperation and share a few TCM patent medicines tailored to these symptoms.

First, distinguish between "tingling" and "numbness": "Tingling" occurs when blood flow is obstructed but qi remains relatively unimpeded and can be relieved with movement; "numbness" is more severe, indicating that neither qi nor blood can reach the extremities, manifesting as dull sensation that doesn’t improve even with activity.

Numbness in the limbs primarily stems from two major causes:

One is poor circulation of qi and blood, often caused by cold-damp invasion, blood stasis obstruction, or trauma leading to meridian blockage, manifesting as soreness, numbness, coldness, and pain in fixed areas, which can be alleviated with heat application or movement;

The other is qi and blood deficiency, where numbness worsens after exertion and is accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, dull complexion, and palpitations, similar to a river lacking water struggling to nourish the land along its banks.

The key to relieving numbness lies in targeted regulation: if numbness and soreness in the waist are caused by qi and blood deficiency or liver and kidney deficiency, Liuwei Dihuang Wan or Bazhen Wan can be considered.

If numbness is caused by meridian blockages or musculoskeletal discomfort, Shujin Jianyao Wan or Zhuangyao Jianshen Wan may be considered. Selecting as needed can precisely improve the condition of "both deficiency and blockage," achieving the effects of strengthening muscles and bones as well as clearing obstructions.

Specific Symptom Analysis: Liuwei Dihuang Wan primarily nourishes yin and tonifies the kidney, making it suitable for soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, as well as limb numbness caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency. When combined with Bazhen Wan, which replenishes qi and nourishes blood, it is more effective for numbness, dizziness, and fatigue resulting from insufficient qi and blood combined with liver and kidney deficiency.

Shujin Jianyao Wan focuses on relaxing muscles and tendons, activating collaterals, dispelling wind, and eliminating dampness. It effectively relieves limb numbness and joint movement difficulties caused by meridian blockages. Zhuangyao Jianshen Wan tonifies the liver and kidney, strengthens muscles and bones, and dispels wind-dampness. It is suitable for numbness and soreness in the lower back and knees caused by insufficient liver and kidney function combined with wind-dampness obstruction, and it can also assist in improving frequent nighttime urination.