Sanjiao

a term of traditional Chinese medicine

which consists of the upper

middle

and lower jiao

is a membrane system that encompasses the zangfu organs. We propose the idea that sanjiao is a four-way membranous channels

internally connecting with the micro-membrane of the zangfu organs

extending to the skin

muscles

tendons

bones

and joints

by which water and fluid is transferred from the upper jiao to the middle jiao

then to the lower jiao

countering the transfer of blood and essence to promote the qi movement and generate health-promoting nutrition. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by disorders of both joints and the lung

and it is a condition in which healthy qi deficiency occurs

with phlegm and blood or intertwined that blocks the joints and lung micro-membrane. In the early stage of rheumatoid arthritis

external evils

such as wind

cold

and damp

build up in the joints of the tendons and bones

and prolonged early-stage symptoms would cause phlegm production and blood stasis which may obstruct the joints. Phlegm turbidity and blood stasis remain in the sanjiao membranous channels and stagnate the pulmonary micro-membrane

which may cause the pulmonary interstitial disease. The sanjiao four-way membranous channels is the pathway for joint phlegm and blood stasis flowing to the lungs

and sanjiao obstruction can aggravate phlegm and blood stagnation. The treatment is based on the principle of dredging

transforming

and regulating sanjiao

selecting herbs for regulating qi

promoting blood circulation and expelling wind

and using drugs that tonify the lung

warm the kidney

turn to qi

and regulate the state of zangfu organ. This unblocks the sanjiao membranous channels and dissipates the phlegm and blood stasis turbidity evil of the obstructed lung micro-membrane

and it can effectively treat pulmonary interstitial fibrosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.