Gout is a condition caused by elevated blood uric acid levels, leading to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints, which can result in acute arthritis and recurrent episodes. In severe cases, it may cause joint bone destruction and kidney damage, significantly affecting overall health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers gout to fall under the category of “Li Jie Feng” (历节风).
This condition is often caused by deficiency in the spleen and kidneys, which allows for the invasion of wind, cold, and dampness, leading to the accumulation of heat and stagnation of Qi and blood.
Research indicates that targeted Dao Yin rehabilitation can help alleviate symptoms in gout patients and improve their quality of life.
So, how should one practice Dao Yin for gout? Xiao Lang Zhong invites the representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage “TCM Diagnosis and Treatment Method (Ancient Version of Yi Jin Jing Twelve Movements Dao Yin Method)” and Shanghai’s intangible cultural heritage “TCM Dao Yin Method (Seated Ba Duan Jin Dao Yin Method)”, Yan Shiqing to explain in detail —
Gout patients should regularly practice three techniques
This method can be integrated throughout the treatment and rehabilitation process for gout. Consistent practice can effectively improve symptoms, consolidate and enhance the efficacy of medications, thereby achieving the goal of disease prevention and treatment.
01Warm-Up and Blood Circulation Dao Yin Technique
This technique is derived from the “Preparation Movement” of the Ancient Version of Yi Jin Jing Twelve Movements Dao Yin Method.
Practicing this movement can stretch the muscles and bones, relax the major joints, and promote the flow of Qi and blood, allowing it to reach the extremities (fingers and toes), thus facilitating the nourishment of muscles. The specific actions are as follows.
The following video is sourced from
Shanghai Tao Tang Dao Yin Cultural Development Foundation
The following video is sourced from the inheritance of Dao Yin TCM DaoYin
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Action 1 (Image 1): Stand relaxed. Bite your teeth, press your tongue against the palate, and gaze straight ahead while regulating your nasal breathing.
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Action 2 (Image 2): Bend your knees and squat down, lowering your head into a curled position. Shift your center of gravity forward, right, back, and left, then return to the center.
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Action 3 (Image 3): Place both hands on your knees, keeping your knees straight.
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Action 4 (Image 4): Interlace your fingers with palms facing down, rise up, and lift.
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Action 5 (Image 5): Place both hands behind your head, lift your head, chest, abdomen, and groin. Exhale while returning your body to the original position.
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Action 6~Action 7 (Image 6~Image 7): Raise both hands, interlace fingers, and lift. Separate your hands to shoulder level and make fists.
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Action 8 (Image 8): As you lower your hands, sequentially relax your shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers, returning to a relaxed standing position.
02Spleen Strengthening and Transformation Dao Yin Technique
This technique is derived from the “Closing Movement” of the Ancient Version of Yi Jin Jing Twelve Movements Dao Yin Method.
Practicing this movement can help to smooth the flow of the Spleen Meridian (足太阴脾经), assisting in the elevation of clear Qi and the descent of turbid Qi, thus enhancing the Spleen’s function in transformation and transportation. The specific actions are as follows.
The following video is sourced from
Shanghai Tao Tang Dao Yin Cultural Development Foundation
The following video is sourced from the inheritance of Dao Yin TCM DaoYin
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Action 1 (Image 9): Stand relaxed, releasing tension from top to bottom.
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Action 2 (Image 10): Raise both hands in front of your body, spreading them at chest level.
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Action 3 (Image 11): Lift the right palm above your head while pressing the left palm down to the outer side of the Huantiao point (环跳).
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Action 4 (Image 12): Look through the gap of the lower palm at the left heel.
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Action 5 (Image 13): Alternate hands in front of your chest. The left palm lifts above your head while the right palm presses down to the outer side of the Huantiao point.
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Action 6 (Image 14): Look through the gap of the lower palm at the right heel.
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Action 7 (Image 15): After extending each arm seven times, bring both hands together in front of your body, regulate your breath.
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Action 8 (Image 16): After regulating your breath, return to a relaxed standing position.
03Jingmen Massage Dao Yin Technique
This technique is derived from the Seated Ba Duan Jin Dao Yin Method’s “Back Massage of Jingmen”.
Practicing this movement can help to smooth the flow of the Kidney Meridian (足少阴肾经), assisting in the movement of Qi and the elevation of Yang, thus achieving the effect of warming and tonifying the Kidney Yang. The specific actions are as follows.
The following video is sourced from
Shanghai Tao Tang Dao Yin Cultural Development Foundation
The following video is sourced from the inheritance of Dao Yin TCM DaoYin
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Action 1 (Image 17): Sit in a position of your choice, either cross-legged or with legs hanging down. Inhale slowly through your nose, then hold your breath and rub your hands together vigorously until they are warm. Exhale slowly through your nose.
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Action 2 (Image 18): The Jingmen point is located at the lower back, near the kidneys. Massage the Jingmen point from above while inhaling, and press down while exhaling. After completing, return to an upright position, calm your mind, regulate your breath, and focus your spirit.
Precautions01Dao Yin Frequency
It is recommended to practice the Warm-Up and Blood Circulation Dao Yin Technique 3 times daily; the Spleen Strengthening and Transformation Dao Yin Technique 7 times as one set, performing 2 sets; and the Jingmen Massage Dao Yin Technique 7 times as one set, performing 4 sets.
02Timing for Dao Yin
It is best to practice Dao Yin in the morning or half an hour before taking medication. Morning practice can utilize the rising Yang Qi of nature to stretch muscles, promote Qi flow, smooth joints, strengthen the spleen, nourish the kidneys, and warm and elevate Yang. Practicing before medication can also enhance the absorption and efficacy of the medication.
03Effects of Dao Yin
When practicing the Dao Yin techniques for gout, patients are encouraged to mobilize their Zheng Qi (正气) to resist pathogenic factors.
This method is simple and easy to implement, and can also be combined with herbal medicine or other non-pharmacological therapies under the guidance of a professional physician to achieve synergistic effects.
Note: This article is for health education purposes only. If you have any medical conditions, please seek treatment at a regular hospital as soon as possible.
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