Hip Pain - Damp-Heat Bi Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Hip Pain · 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 pain, characterized by septic/inflammatory bursitis, swelling, redness, and burning pain. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the hip, causing acute bursitis, severe inflammation, and pain.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

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

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

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

| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the hip |

| Etiology | Infection, acute gout, inflammatory bursitis |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| GB30 Huantiao | Midpoint between sacral hiatus and greater trochanter of femur | 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 | 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

Septic/inflammatory bursitis with neutrophil infiltration, edema, and elevated inflammatory cytokines. Damp-Heat Bi corresponds to acute hip bursitis, often seen in septic bursitis, gouty arthritis, or inflammatory flare-ups.

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.

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