Sore throat — shi type
StarEssentials of Chinese Acupuncture (Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing Colleges of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1980) — the standard prescriptions of the Chinese colleges.
Points
-
Jing-Well of the Lung; bled to clear lung heat and ease pain
Prick to let a little blood.
-
Yuan-Source of the Large Intestine; disperses the exterior pathogen from the Lung channel
Reduce.
- Pregnancy: contraindicated
-
Ying-Spring of the Stomach; clears stomach heat
Reduce.
-
Local point below the angle of the jaw; moves qi and blood at the throat
Reduce.
Needling Safety
Cited hazards for these points. Tick what applies to the patient to see the cautions that follow from it.
Treatment Principle
Expel wind and clear heat with reducing technique, mainly at Large Intestine and Stomach points.
Indications
Method
Reducing technique; LU11 is pricked and bled a few drops.
⚠ Cautions
Difficulty swallowing saliva, drooling, muffled voice, stridor, trismus or one-sided swelling may mean epiglottitis or quinsy (peritonsillar abscess), which are emergencies. SI17 lies close to the carotid artery and jugular vein; needle shallowly. LI4 is contraindicated in pregnancy. Use a sterile lancet at LU11.
About
The college prescription for acute (excess-type) sore throat, from wind-heat attacking the throat or from accumulated heat in the Lung and Stomach channels flaring up.
Rationale
Bleeding LU11, the Lung well point, clears lung heat and stops pain. LI4 vents the exterior pathogen from the Lung channel, ST44 brings down stomach heat, and SI17 at the throat moves qi and blood locally to relieve the soreness.
Clinical Notes
The book says this section covers acute tonsillitis and acute and chronic pharyngitis. It also gives an ear-acupuncture option with bleeding from a small vein behind the ear.
Sources
- Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, et al. Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1980. Chapter III, Sore Throat, p. 395–396.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Sore throat — shi type.
No notes yet.