Syndrome differentiation and treatment
Sthenic pathogen dominates flaccidity syndrome at the early stage. Therefore, the treatment should concentrate on eliminating pathogenic factors. The commonly-used therapeutic methods include clearing away heat and removing toxin as well as inducing diuresis and purgation, etc.. At the late stage of flaccidity, weakness of antipathogenic qi dominates. Accordingly, the therapeutic methods include regulating the spleen and stomach, supplementing qi and nourishing blood, tonifying the liver and kidney, etc.. Besides oral administration, the cooperative therapeutic methods like acupunture and moxibustion, Chinese massage (tuina) and dirigation may be needed.

1. Invasion of pathogenic heat 
Main symptoms and signs: Sudden onset of flaccidity of feet, or paralysis of limbs, or chills and fever, dry skin, vexation, thirst, cough without sputum, dry throat, yellowish urine, constipation, red tongue with yellowish and thin fur, floating and rapid pulse.  
Therapeutic methods: Clearing away heat and moistening dryness, nourishing the lung to promote the production of body fluid.

2. Invasion of pathogenic damp-heat 
Main symptoms and signs: Flaccidity of lower limbs, or with concurrent mild edema and numbness, recessive fever, tiredness and heaviness of limbs, thoracic and epigastric fullness, dark urine with feverish and painful sensation, yellowish and greasy tongue fur, soft and rapid pulse.  
Therapeutic methods: Clearing away heat and removing toxin, inducing diuresis and activating collaterals.

3. Asthenia of the spleen and stomach 
Main symptoms and signs: Gradual onset of flaccidity of lower limbs, even muscular atrophy in severe cases, poor appetite, sallow complexion, listlessness, lassitude, low voice, feeble breathing, pale tongue with whitish and thin fur, thready and weak pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Strengthening the spleen and regulating the stomach, supplementing qi and nourishing blood.

4. Deficiency of the liver and kidney    
Main symptoms and signs: Slow onset, flaccidity of limbs, soreness and weakness of lumbus and knees, in severe cases even difficulty in walking, enuresis, dizziness, red tongue with a little fur, thready and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Tonifying the liver and kidney, nourishing yin and clearing away heat.