Dampness in Chinese Medicine

Understanding Its Causes, Manifestations, and Treatment Approaches

Hi, friends of acupuncture!

Happy winter solstice!

It’s wet, wet and wet everywhere around us here in the Pacific Northwest. With the Great Dark and all the rain and flooding we’re experiencing, there’s no doubt we are experiencing a La Niña year. Since we are all part of nature, the weather around us will have an impact on our bodies.

If you feel heavy, sluggish, and more tired than usual, you are probably experiencing what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls “dampness” (湿, shī). TCM attributes this to both the climate and also (especially) the heavy holiday food, which is considered “damp” due to its ingredients and preparation.

Often when I explain dampness to my clients, I like to use the example of a house with water damage. The damp goes everywhere inside. The house is heavy with stagnant moisture, providing a perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow, and when it’s cold, leading to a chill that cuts to the bone. In humans, Chinese medicine asserts that dampness is the cause of many chronic diseases, and for good reason.

Dampness is a fundamental concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and plays a significant role in diagnosing and treating various health conditions. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on specific pathogens or physiological dysfunctions, TCM views dampness as an environmental and internal factor that can disrupt the body's balance and lead to disease.

Dampness is characterized by heaviness, stickiness, and stagnation. It can originate both from external sources (such as humid weather or living conditions) and internal dysfunctions (such as impaired digestion). Dampness is not simply water or moisture; it is an energetic pattern that affects the body's qi (vital energy), blood, and organ systems.

Origins and Causes of Dampness

External Dampness: This type arises from the environment, such as living in humid climates, exposure to rain, or working in damp places. External dampness can invade the body through the skin, especially when one's defenses (wei qi) are weak.
Internal Dampness: Often results from improper diet, such as excessive consumption of greasy, sweet, or raw foods, or from weakened spleen function. The spleen, according to TCM, is responsible for transforming food and fluids; when it is compromised, fluids accumulate and become dampness.
Lifestyle Factors: Lack of physical activity, overeating, and emotional stress can impair the body’s ability to process fluids, contributing to dampness.

Manifestations and Symptoms

Dampness can affect different organ systems and manifest in a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include:

Heavy sensation in the limbs or body
Lethargy and fatigue
Swelling or edema
Loose stools or diarrhea
Cloudy urine
Sticky or greasy tongue coating
Chest or abdominal fullness
Joint pain that worsens in damp weather
Skin conditions such as eczema or fungal infections

The presentation of dampness varies depending on which organs are affected and whether it combines with other pathogenic factors such as heat, cold, or wind.

Impacts of Dampness on Health

Dampness is considered one of the most stubborn and persistent pathogenic factors in TCM. It can linger in the body and be difficult to resolve, leading to chronic health issues. Dampness impedes the flow of qi and blood, causing stagnation and blocking the normal functioning of organs. Over time, it can contribute to the development of conditions such as arthritis, digestive disorders, chronic fatigue, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.

Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine

TCM practitioners diagnose dampness through a combination of inquiry, observation, palpation, and tongue and pulse analysis. Key indicators include a swollen tongue with a thick, greasy coating, a slippery pulse, and symptoms of heaviness or swelling. The practitioner will also consider the patient's environment, diet, and lifestyle habits.

Treatment Approaches

The management of dampness in Chinese medicine focuses on resolving the pathogenic factor, strengthening the spleen, and promoting the movement of qi and fluids. Common treatment modalities include herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, dietary therapy, exercises, and lifestyle modifications.

By now you can see that we really do not want to have chronic dampness in our bodies, and what a perfect time to remove any lingering dampness in you as we come to the end of one year and prepare to embrace the next. Come experience the power of natural healing with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Make each year a better year as you age! Contact me and learn how to get rid of the dampness in your body.

Ongoing Special event 🎉

Community Acupuncture at Healthy Way, in Lynnwood, happens on select Saturdays from 3 to 5 pm. Treat yourself to a relaxing and rejuvenating acupuncture session (only $35). If you missed the final 2025 session, on December 20, there will be more opportunities in the New Year. In January we will have sessions on the 3rd, 10th, and 24th. All are welcome. In previous sessions, we have had many participants who had never experienced acupuncture before (and then loved it). And we have also had old-timers who enjoy regular treatments just to keep their bodies balanced.

All the best,

Connie Lee

Back to Back Issues Page