1
Liver yang transforming to wind
- Key distinguishing signs
- Tremor with headache, dizziness, flushed face and irritability, worse with anger, strong wiry pulse
- Treatment principle
- Calm the liver, subdue yang and extinguish wind
Pain & Musculoskeletalzhèn chàn
Tremor
Also called:shaking handstrembling
From the TCM perspective: Tremor: internal wind/phlegm-heat or liver-kidney deficiency
Overview
Tremor is rhythmic shaking of the hands, head or voice. TCM distinguishes internal wind/liver fire (worse with anger), phlegm-heat stirring wind, and chronic liver-kidney essence deficiency (worse with age and at rest). Sudden tremor with vertigo or speech difficulty is an emergency.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Phlegm-heat stirring wind
- Key distinguishing signs
- Tremor with heaviness, mental fog, phlegm, bitter mouth, yellow greasy coat and rapid slippery pulse
- Treatment principle
- Resolve phlegm-heat and extinguish wind
3
Liver-kidney essence deficiency
- Key distinguishing signs
- Chronic tremor in the elderly, weak lower back/knees, dizziness, tinnitus and slow movement, deep fine pulse
- Treatment principle
- Tonify liver-kidney essence and extinguish wind
4
Qi-blood deficiency
- Key distinguishing signs
- Mild tremor with fatigue, pallor and palpitations, worse with hunger/exertion, pale tongue
- Treatment principle
- Tonify qi and blood to extinguish wind
Daily self-care
- Avoid triggers (caffeine, nicotine, fatigue, anxiety) and sleep well.
- Use gentle coordination exercise (tai chi) and take safety care with hot liquids.
- See a neurologist to classify the tremor (rest/action, thyroid, medication) and review drugs.
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- Sudden tremor with one-sided weakness, slurred speech or facial droop.
- Tremor after starting/overdosing medication or toxin/alcohol, or with confusion and fever.
- Generalized tremor with rigidity and rapidly worsening gait.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.