Syndrome differentiation and treatment
The therapeutic principles of cerebral palsy centre upon strengthening body resistance to consolidate constitution, enhancing the spleen and tonifying the kidney. Deficiency syndromes are treated by tonifying the kidney, nourishing the liver and tonifying the brain, replenishing renal essence and bone marrow, strengthening the spleen and supplementing qi as well as nourishing blood to benefit the brain. A small number of the patients with blood stasis obstructing the brain and internal stagnation of phlegm and dampness are respectively treated by activating blood circulation, resolving stasis and inducing resuscitation and tonifying the spleen and resolving phlegm, stopping endogenous wind and refreshing the brain.

1. Deficiency of renal essence
Main symptoms and signs: Paralysis of limbs in disuse due to thinness and weakness, retarded development, hypophrenia, unclosure of fontanel, slurred speech, difficulty in lifting head or sitting and standing, whitish fur, weak and thready pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Replenishing renal essence and bone marrow and tonifying the kidney and the brain.

2. Yin deficiency of the liver and kidney
Main symptoms and signs: Paralysis of lower limbs, stiffness of neck and nape, athetosis, spasm of feet in case of standing, unstable walking, facial distortion, dysphasia, occasional epileptoid onset, red tongue, thready and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Nourishing and tonifying the liver and kidney, stopping endogenous wind and suppressing yang.

3. Qi deficiency of the spleen
Main symptoms and signs: Lassitude, paralysis of limbs, short breath without the desire for speaking, flaccidity of lips with masticatory atonia or endless salivation, frequent external extension of the tongue, poor appetite, abdominal distension, loose stools, pale tongue with whitish fur, thready and weak pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Tonifying the spleen and supplementing qi.

4. Deficiency of qi and blood
Main symptoms and signs: Oligophrenia, sluggish expression, no cry and restlessness, retardation of phonation, poor complexion, pale tongue with thin fur, thready and weak pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Supplementing qi and nourishing blood, tonifying the brain and inducing resuscitation.

5. Deficiency and consumption of yin and body fluid
Main symptoms and signs: Paralysis of limbs, myoatrophy, dry and fissured lips with concurrent fever, night sweat, deep red and glossy tongue, thready and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production.