Body shaking refers to the symptom of the body trembling and shaking, with severe cases wanting to collapse to the ground.

Suwen-Zhizhenyao Da Lun: "All wind with vertigo and shaking is ascribed to the liver." . Shaking refers to the appearance of vibration. The "cold-damage disease theory" mentions the treatment for "body trembling and shaking, wanting to collapse to the ground". Zhengzhi Zhunsheng categorizes it under "trembling" and "shivering with fear".

This symptom refers to the whole body shaking; if it is confined to one area, such as head tremors, hand tremors, or foot tremors, it is discussed under separate entries. This symptom is also different from "shiver", which is the sensation of cold followed by trembling, whereas this symptom does not involve cold. Additionally, muscular twitching only involves muscle twitching without whole-body vibration, so it is not discussed in this article.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Internal Stirring of Liver Wind︰The whole body trembles and shakes uncontrollably, accompanied by limb numbness, dizziness, dysphoria, irritability, a wiry and rapid pulse, a red tongue texture, and thin, white, slightly dry coating. This condition is commonly seen in individuals with emotional anger and excessive liver qi. The liver governs the tendons of the body, and sudden anger damages the liver, leading to liver excess generating wind, hence the trembling. Its characteristics are: the body tremors often fluctuate in severity with emotional changes but are typically uncontrollable. It may also be accompanied by dizziness, limb numbness, a wiry and forceful pulse, etc. If left untreated, it can easily lead to apoplexy. Treatment should focus on liver-calming and wind-extinguishing, with prescriptions such as Antelope Horn and Uncaria Decoction, or Gastrodia and Uncaria Drink.
2. Yang Deficiency Failing to Secure︰The body trembles and shakes, with cold limbs, possibly accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea with undigested food, deep and tight pulse, or wiry and slippery pulse, pale tongue texture with thin white coating. This condition often occurs after profuse sweating, leading to damage of defensive yang, or misuse of sweating methods, or postpartum deficiency of both qi and blood, excessive sweating, and injury to yang qi. Yang deficiency fails to support the meridians, resulting in body tremors and shaking. In mild cases, the trembling can be controlled voluntarily, while in severe cases, the shaking is so intense that it feels like falling to the ground. Symptoms worsen with cold and improve with warmth, often requiring thick clothing for relief. This condition differs significantly from body tremors caused by internal stirring of liver wind, with clear distinctions between deficiency and excess, making differentiation straightforward. For mild cases, treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen and unblocking yang, using Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Bighead Atractylodes and Licorice Decoction. For severe cases, warming the kidneys and supporting yang is recommended, using True Warrior Decoction. If the condition arises from postpartum weakness and excessive sweating, Angelica, Fresh Ginger and Mutton Decoction supplemented with Astragalus Root can be used to nourish blood and warm the meridians.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Zhengzhi Zhunsheng．"Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases": "Generally, those who experience tremors are mostly due to the deficiency of both qi and blood, which cannot nourish the tendons and bones, hence the trembling and inability to maintain control. It is necessary to greatly tonify qi and blood, and I have used Ginseng Nutrient-Nourishing Decoction with success. Another person who had body tremors and could not sleep was cured by using Ten-Ingredient Gallbladder-Warming Decoction with double the amount of Ginseng."