Hip Arthritis - Damp-Heat Bi Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Hip Arthritis · Damp-Heat Bi Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Hip

Pattern Overview

Damp-Heat Bi is an acute inflammatory pattern in hip arthritis, characterized by acute inflammatory arthritis, swelling, redness, and burning pain. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the hip joint, causing acute synovitis and severe inflammatory response.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Swelling, redness, burning pain in the hip joint |

| Associated Symptoms | Local warmth, limited hip movement, tenderness, fever |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the hip joint |

| Etiology | Acute gout attack, septic arthritis, inflammatory flare-up |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| GB30 Huantiao | Midpoint between sacral hiatus and greater trochanter | Master point for hip pain; on the Gallbladder meridian |

| SP9 Yinlingquan | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |

| GB34 Yanglingquan | Depression below the head of the fibula | Relaxes tendons and reduces pain |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the hip joint | Local clearing of Damp-Heat |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; may combine with pricking and cupping at Ashi points to drain Damp-Heat.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Si Miao Wan (四妙丸)

Composition:

Atractylodes (Cang Zhu), Phellodendron (Huang Bai), Achyranthes (Niu Xi), Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren)

Action: Clears Damp-Heat, reduces inflammation, promotes diuresis, and relieves pain.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe redness and swelling | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |

| Burning pain | Add Shi Gao, Zhi Mu to clear Heat and generate fluids |

| Fever | Add Huang Qin, Huang Lian to clear Heat |

Western Mechanism Reference

Acute inflammatory arthritis with synovitis, neutrophil infiltration, and elevated inflammatory cytokines. Damp-Heat Bi corresponds to acute hip arthritis, often seen in gouty arthritis, septic arthritis, or reactive arthritis.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Musculoskeletal pain. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for hip pain relief.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM arthritis health.