Theoretical Study on the Pathogenesis of Flaccidity Syndrome Based on the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon and Its Clinical Implications

Abstract

Flaccidity Syndrome (Wei Zheng), as delineated in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon (Huangdi Neijing), represents a classical category of disorders characterized by muscular weakness, limb atrophy, and impaired motor function. The core pathogenesis, as articulated primarily in the Suwen Treatise on Flaccidity (Wei Lun), centers on pathological heat accumulating within the five viscera, which subsequently leads to the depletion of body fluids and the consequent failure to moisten and nourish the connecting sinews (Zong Jin). Although the clinical manifestations predominantly involve the limbs and sinews, the underlying etiology is intricately linked to functional disturbances across multiple organ systems, including the lungs, stomach, liver, and kidneys. This study employs traditional philological and exegetical methodologies to conduct a systematic analysis of the original classical texts, supplemented by commentaries from successive generations of physicians and contemporary clinical evidence. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating the therapeutic principle of treating flaccidity by exclusively focusing on the Yangming channel, exploring its theoretical rationale and practical significance. The findings reveal that the Inner Canon establishes a comprehensive theoretical framework for Flaccidity Syndrome, delineating a disease progression pattern characterized by transmission from the interior to the exterior and from the upper to the lower regions of the body. This classical framework provides valuable guidance for the syndrome differentiation and clinical management of modern conditions such as chronic atrophic gastritis and myasthenia gravis, thereby underscoring the enduring relevance of Traditional Chinese Medicine in applying unified therapeutic strategies to diverse diseases.