Acupuncture Surry Hills

Dampness (Shi) is a Yin pathogen characterised by heaviness, turbidity, stickiness, and a tendency to linger. In TCM, it is considered one of the most difficult pathogens to resolve because of its persistent, adhesive nature. External Dampness enters the body through exposure to wet environments, rain, or humid weather. Internal Dampness arises primarily from Spleen dysfunction — when the Spleen fails to properly transform and transport fluids, moisture accumulates within the body.

The hallmark symptoms of Dampness include a feeling of heaviness (especially in the head and limbs), mental fogginess, poor appetite, nausea, loose stools, abdominal distension, and a thick, greasy tongue coating. Dampness tends to sink downward, often affecting the lower body with symptoms such as heavy legs, oedema, vaginal discharge, or weeping skin lesions. Because Dampness is sticky and lingering, conditions involving it tend to be chronic and slow to resolve.

When Dampness combines with Heat (a common pattern in modern clinical practice), it produces Damp-Heat — presenting as yellow, foul-smelling discharges, skin eruptions, urinary tract infections, or jaundice. TCM treatment of Dampness focuses on strengthening the Spleen's transformative function, using aromatic herbs to "awaken the Spleen" (such as Huo Xiang/patchouli and Cang Zhu/atractylodes), draining dampness with bland diuretics, and supporting the overall Qi to help the body resolve the accumulated moisture.