Neck Pain - Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Neck Pain · Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Neck

Pattern Overview

Wind-Cold-Damp Bi is a common pattern in neck pain, characterized by muscle tension and spasm, cold pain, stiffness, and aggravation in cold weather. The core pathogenesis is invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp pathogens into the neck meridians, causing obstruction of Qi and Blood flow, muscle spasm, and pain.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Neck stiffness and pain, limited movement, worse in cold weather |

| Associated Symptoms | Relief with warmth, shoulder and back tension, headaches |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale red tongue with thin white coating, floating and tense pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Wind-Cold-Damp pathogens obstructing the neck meridians |

| Etiology | Exposure to cold and damp, poor posture, inadequate neck protection |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| GB20 Fengchi | Depression below the occipital bone, between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius | Disperses Wind-Cold; clears the head and neck |

| BL10 Tianzhu | 1.3 cun lateral to GB20, in the neck | Unblocks the Bladder meridian; treats neck pain |

| GB21 Jianjing | Midpoint of the shoulder, on the trapezius muscle | Relaxes the shoulder and neck muscles |

| DU14 Dazhui | On the midline, below the spinous process of C7 | Disperses Wind-Cold and unblocks the Governing Vessel |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; moxibustion may be added to warm the meridians and disperse cold.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Ge Gen Tang (葛根汤)

Composition:

Pueraria (Ge Gen), Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi), White Peony (Bai Shao), Ginger (Sheng Jiang), Licorice (Gan Cao), Jujube (Da Zao), Notopterygium (Qiang Huo)

Action: Releases the exterior and disperses cold, relaxes sinews and unblocks collaterals.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe cold pain | Add Fu Zi, Xi Xin to warm meridians |

| Pronounced shoulder and back pain | Add Jiang Huang, Sang Zhi to disperse Wind and unblock collaterals |

| Headache | Add Bai Zhi, Man Jing Zi to disperse Wind and stop pain |

| Stiff neck | Add Ge Gen (increase dosage) to relax sinews |

Western Mechanism Reference

Muscle tension and spasm with cold-induced vasoconstriction, local ischemia, and decreased pain threshold. Wind-Cold-Damp Bi corresponds to acute neck pain exacerbated by cold exposure, often seen in torticollis or acute cervical myofascial pain syndrome.

References

  1. Database + Textbook.

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

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