I recently came across a very well-written and well-documented article about numbness.

You know, those tingling sensations, loss of feeling, the sensation of “frozen” or “cotton-like” areas—especially in the extremities—often when waking up or after sitting for a long time.

The article discussed peripheral neuropathy, nerve compression, injuries, vascular diseases…
Then came a list of illnesses:

➡️ Warning: This may be a sign of multiple sclerosis
➡️ Warning: This may be a sign of stroke
➡️ Warning: This may be related to diabetes, etc.

Yes, these connections do exist.

But the real question is not:

“Does numbness cause this or that disease?”

Rather:

“What is the common factor that can both cause this numbness and open the door to these conditions?”

We must stop confusing correlation with causation.

And here, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a valuable answer: it first analyzes the individual’s constitution in order to understand the symptoms.

And in the case of numbness, it often points to blood deficiency.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, blood is not simply a red fluid circulating through our arteries.

It is a nourishing, living, warm, and dynamic substance that feeds the tissues, the nervous system, the muscles, the skin, the uterus, and the brain.

Above all, it anchors the Shen (spirit) and allows Qi (vital energy) to circulate harmoniously.

When this blood becomes deficient—either in quality or quantity—it is referred to as Blood Deficiency (Xue Xu).

And this deficiency can manifest as:

• Numbness and tingling
• Cold limbs and reduced sensation
• Mental fatigue and difficulty concentrating
• Insomnia, restlessness, emotional emptiness
• Dry skin, brittle nails, light menstruation, blurred vision

… and even more serious issues:

• Neurological deficits
• Circulatory problems
• Immune system dysfunction

So yes, multiple sclerosis, stroke, diabetes, and other conditions can all develop from this common ground.

Because this ground can become fertile for these diseases.
And sometimes several may arise at the same time.

And that’s what we too often forget.

That is why, in my approach, I always start with this: