-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
eyes/ears/nose/throat
tonsillitis
acupuncture

patterns and combinations

after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns:
acute: Wind-Heat and/or Lung and Stomach Full Heat
chronic: unresolved previous inflammation or Yin Xu (Deficiency)

» therapeutic notes:
• Chronic tonsillitis may be a part of a general pattern of glandular/lymphatic exhaustion that is often rooted in or at least exacerbated by a chronic, often subclinical, infection in the sinuses and irritation in the oropharyngeal mucous membranes. This area is a common site of primary focal infection from which secondary infections derive. Palpation at reflex sites in proximity of TW-16 ("East Wind") and LI-10.5 and above and below the eyes will confirm this hypothesis. If tender and/or painful points are found, consider needling Lu-7 and the reactive points in the areas of "LI-10.5", "St-2.5", yu yao, east wind/TW-16, and "St-43". Sinus irrigation with saline solution is usually also helpful - see "patient handout: sinus wash". (Matsumoto) See also "sinusitis".
• Chronic tonsillitis may be part of a pattern of irritation in which food sensitivities are a manageable stressor.

» illustrative combinations:
• St-44, LI-4 and LI-11 for acute tonsillitis (Shanghai, p. 691)
• Lu-11, LI-4 and prick LI-11 for acute tonsillitis (Shanghai, p. 246)
• SI-17 and Lu-11 for acute tonsillitis; can also add LI-4 and LI-11 for high fever (Shanghai, p. 690; Lee and Cheung, p. 354)
• GB-20, UB-10, St-9, LI-17, SI-16, St-6, UB-11, UB-12, SI-15, GB-21, LI-3, LI-4, LI-11, TW-17, TW-3, TW-1 and LI-3 for acute tonsillitis (Lee and Cheung, p. 344)
• hai quan, Lu-11 and LI-4 for unilateral tonsillitis (Shanghai, p. 690)
• jin jin and yu yeh with Lu-11 for bilateral tonsillitis (Shanghai, p. 690)
• St-44 and LI-4 for toothache or tonsillitis (Shanghai, p. 275)
• Kd-4 (listed as "Kd-5"), LI-4 and SI-17; Lu-3, LI-9, UB-12 and CV-22; TW-10, GB-38 and SI-8; LI-7 and TW-2; St-6, Lu-11, LI-5 and PC-7; Kd-1, CV-22 and St-40 for tonsillitis (Mann, p. 138)
• "yu yao", "St-2.5", "east wind", "LI-10.5", Lu-7, and "St-43", with other points sensitive to palpation, for sinusitis and glandular/lymphatic exhaustion, esp. with a primary focal infection in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes (Matsumoto)
• UB-13, UB-18 and UB-20 (+): tonify Lung, Liver and Spleen, move Qi, and resolve Phlegm
• UB-23 and Kd-3 (+): tonify Kidney Yin
• SI-17 and TW-17: moisten throat; clear Heat; local for tonsils
• Lu-11 (bleed) and LI-1 (needle (+) and bleed): dispel Wind-Heat; moisten throat; clear Lung Fire and Heat; clear pain and swelling in throat
• navel treatment a la Matsumoto for weak connective tissue and/or Xu (Deficiency) of the Kidney and/or Spleen due to birth trauma induced by improper severing of the umbilical cord causing damage to the ligamentum teres hepatis (Matsumoto)
• UB-13, Lu-10, Lu-11 and Kd-3: disperse Lung Fire (Finkelstein, p. 5)


point analysis

»
palpate and consider:
• GB-20 (-): disperses Wind-Heat; reduces and relieves Heat; harmonizes Qi and Xue (Blood); frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) and Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel) channels on the Foot Xiao Yang (Gall Bladder) channel; "Wind Pond"
GV-14 (-): dissipates Wind; clears and cools Heat; reduces fever; induces sweating; stimulates the immune system, increases white blood cell count, and prevents or slows inflammation; regulates and stimulates the flow of Qi; regulates the Xue (Blood); clears the throat and opens the Lung; clears Lung Heat; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the Yang channels on the Du Mai (Governing Vessel); Entry point of the Sea of Qi, with GV-13
UB-13 (+ or -): eliminates Wind; stimulates sweating; reduces fever; clears and disperses Fire and Heat, esp. Xu (Deficiency) Heat, from the Lung and Upper Warmer; strengthens and promotes the circulation of the Lung Qi; regulates the Upper Warmer; tonifies the Lung; harmonizes the Ying and Xue (Blood); transforms Phlegm; disperse for acute; tonify for chronic; Lung Shu Associated point
• UB-18 (+ or -): clears Liver Fire and Heat; moves Stagnant Qi; strengthens Xu (Deficiency) conditions; nourishes Liver Yin; cools Heat in the Xue (Blood); facilitates generation of fluids; harmonizes the Stomach and benefits the Qi; Liver Shu Associated point
• UB-20 (+ or =): regulates Spleen Qi; tonifies the Spleen and Stomach to facilitate digestive transportation and transformation; benefits the Ying (Constructive) Qi; enhances Spleen Yang to mobilize Stagnant Qi; harmonizes the Xue (Blood); drains Heat Shi (Excess) from the Middle Warmer; transforms Phlegm; Spleen Shu Associated point
• UB-21 (-): harmonizes the Stomach; regulates the Stomach Qi; clears Stomach Heat; Stomach Shu Associated point
• UB-23 (+): tonifies and adjusts the Kidney; nourishes Yin, Xue (Blood) and Kidney Jing (Essence); counterbalances Liver Fire; Kidney Shu Associated point
ca. yu yao (-): clears Heat; dispels focal infection in the sinus cavities; removes Obstructions from the channel; treats glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto); locate tender abdominal point (s), palpate most tender or painful point over each eye and needle, usually superiorly, so that tenderness at abdominal reflex point decreases upon palpation (Matsumoto)
ca. St-2 (-): dissipates Heat and expels Wind; resolves focal infection in the sinus cavities; treats glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto); frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; locate tender abdominal point (s), palpate most tender or painful point over each eye and needle, usually inferiorly, so that tenderness at abdominal reflex point decreases upon palpation (Matsumoto)
• St-6 (-): disperses Wind; regulates the flow of Qi; opens the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels
bian tao (-): clears Heat; disperses Stagnation of Qi and Xue (Blood); local point below the inferior border at the angle of the mandible, anterior to the carotid artery
TW-17 (-): clears Heat; disperses Wind; frees the channels; moistens the throat; local for tonsils
SI-17 (-): dissipates Heat and reduces inflammation; disperses Qi Stagnation and Xue Yu (Blood Stasis); local to tonsils
• SI-16 (-): dispels Wind; nourishes the Heart; invigorates the channels and collateral vessels; Window of the Sky point
jin jin and yu yeh (bleed): generate fluid by dispelling Heat, esp. Heat in the Xue (Blood), and producing saliva
hai quan (- and/or bleed): clears Heat and dispels Wind-Heat; relieve pain and swelling in throat
• CV-23 (=): clears Fire and Heat; opens and moistens the throat; generates Fluids; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); meeting point of the Kidney and Heart (Finkelstein, p. 93)
CV-22 (=): facilitates and regulates movement of Lung Qi; benefits and cools the throat; regulates the pharynx; opens the Lung and promotes dispersing function of Lung; transforms and eliminates Phlegm; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Window of the Sky point
• CV-21 (=): regulates movement of Qi and spreads Lung Qi; sets the Upper Warmer in motion; relaxes the chest; site where Qi of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) begins to spill out into the neck and throat (Finkelstein, p. 93)
TW-16 and/or "east wind" (-): moves Stagnation in sinuses and cervical lymphatics; palpate lateral aspects of neck for ashi (tender) points (Matsumoto)
• Lu-2 (-): regulates the Lung; clears Lung Heat and eliminates vexation; removes depressed Qi of the chest; stimulates descending of Lung Qi; transforms Phlegm
Lu-5 (- or +): expels Wind; cools fever (bleed); opens and clears the Lung; discharges Lung Fire; cools and clears Upper Warmer Heat; sedates Lung Shi (Excess); stimulates descending of Lung Qi; expels Phlegm from the Lung; regulates the digestive system and the Water Pathways; Lung He Sea Uniting, Water and Dispersion point
Lu-6 (-): opens and adjusts the Lungs; regulates Lung Qi; cools Heat and disperses Fire from Lung; cools and clears the throat; moistens the Lung; Lung Xi Cleft Accumulation point
• Lu-7 (-): circulates the Wei (Protective) Qi to expel Wind and disperse the Exterior; promotes sweating; benefits the throat; treats Shi (Excess) patterns, esp. acute; opens the Lung; spreads Lung Qi by stimulating the descending and dispersing of Lung Qi; resolves Phlegm and clarifies Mucus; opens and regulates the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); regulates the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel); communicates with the Large Intestine; tonifies Yang Ming (Stomach and Large Intestine); promotes diuresis by descending the Turbid; invigorates the collateral vessels; Lung Luo Connecting and Exit point; Master point of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Couple point of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel)
• Lu-8 (-): disperses Wind and resolves the Exterior; sedates Yang; diffuses the Lung and downbears Qi; expands and relaxes the chest; reactivates circulation of Lung and Stomach Qi; Lung Metal and Horary point
• Lu-9 (+): regulates all Yang Qi; ventilates, moistens and regulates the Lung; facilitates circulation of Lung Qi; tonifies Lung Qi and Lung Yin; tonifies Metal to cool inflammatory processes; cools and clears Heat in the Lung and throat; clears and descends the Upper Warmer and Lung Qi; Lung Yuan Source, Earth and Tonification point
Lu-10 (-): dispels Wind-Heat; clears Fire and Heat generally; abates fever; stimulates sweating to disperse superficial conditions; benefits and moistens the Lung and throat; cools and clears Heat in the Lung; cools Heat in Xue (Blood); Lung Fire point
Lu-11 (- and/or bleed): eliminates Wind-Heat of the Lung; lowers fever; clears Heat, Fire and Summer-Heat from the Lung (bleed); cools, clears and regulates the Lung; frees channel Qi; brings Liver Qi to surface to bolster Wei Qi (Finkelstein, p. 5); moistens the throat; clears, regulates and benefits the pharynx; relieves pain and swelling of the throat; expels Wind from the throat; regulates and discharges Rebellious Qi Fire in the twelve channels (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 87); caution: do not bleed with patient suffering from Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency); bleed LI-1 instead (Stephens); Lung Jing Well and Wood point
LI-11 (-): clears Heat and resolves fever; eliminates Wind and dispels Exterior conditions; regulates and harmonizes Qi and Ying; regulates Qi circulation of Lung; cools and harmonizes the Xue (Blood); improves immune function (Finkelstein, p. 9); tonifies Metal to cool inflammatory processes and restrain Wood, esp. the Liver; harmonizes the Stomach and regulates the Intestines; frees the channels; Large Intestine Upper He Sea Uniting, Earth and Tonification point; Master point of Heat in the body (Finkelstein, p. 9)
"LI-10.5" (-): moves Stagnation in sinuses and cervical lymphatics; locate tender most tender point on each side of the neck, usually "east wind", near TW-16, then palpate for the most tender or painful point, distal to the elbow crease, between the Large Intestine and Triple Warmer channels; needle each arm to resolve focal infection in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes and relieve glandular/lymphatic exhaustion; verify location and angle of needle by diminishing of cervical tenderness (Matsumoto)
• LI-10 (-): clears Heat from the Lung; promotes the circulation of Qi and Xue (Blood); tonifies Qi and Xue (Blood) (Maciocia, p. 378); removes Obstruction from and invigorates the channels; enhances action of the immune bodies (Finkelstein, p. 8); regulates the Stomach and Intestines
• LI-7 (-): clears Heat; harmonizes the Stomach and Large Intestine; stops pain; Large Intestine Xi Cleft Accumulation point; Yang Shi (Excess) within Tai Yang (Small Intestine and Bladder) is guided to the internal duct of the Triple Warmer from LI-7 (Finkelstein, p. 8)
LI-6 (=): dissipates Heat and Fire; opens Lung Water Pathways; tonifies Kidney Yin by directing the Yang Qi of the Exterior toward the internal duct of the Triple Warmer (Finkelstein, p. 8); Large Intestine Luo Connecting point
• LI-5 (-): expels Wind and Heat; releases the Exterior; drains Fire; dissipates Heat from the Yang Ming (Large Intestine and Stomach); benefits the throat; stops pain; Large Intestine Fire point
LI-4 (-): dispels Wind-Heat; clears Heat; reduces fever; moves Qi in the upper body; releases the Exterior; regulates Qi and Xue (Blood); tonifies Lung Qi and stimulates dispersing function of the Lung; activates Wei (Protective) Qi and stimulates the immune system; induces or stabilizes sweating; tonifies Metal to cool inflammatory processes and restrain Wood, esp. the Liver; cools and drains Lung Heat; clears congestion in throat; regulates Qi and disperses Heat of the Intestines; elevates Clear Qi and descends Turbid Qi; clears Toxins; sedates pain; frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; Large Intestine Yuan Source and Entry point; command point of the face and mouth
• LI-3 (-): dissipates Heat; affects the Intestines and benefits the throat; resolves constipation; frees the channels; Large Intestine Wood point
• LI-2 (-): dissipates Heat; clears the pharynx; cools the Intestines; sedates pain; stimulates the channels; Large Intestine Water and Dispersion point
LI-1 (bleed): dispels Wind-Heat; cools, moves and discharges pathogenic Heat from Yang Ming (Stomach and Large Intestine); tonifies Wei (Protective) Qi via the internal duct of the Triple Warmer; clears and moistens the throat; cools the Lung; sedates pain; clears pain and swelling in throat; use with patient suffering from Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) instead of Lu-11 (Stephens); Large Intestine Jing Well, Metal and Horary point
• Ht-5 (-): pacifies the Shen; regulates and tonifies Heart Qi; clears Heart Fire and Xu (Deficiency) Heat; Heart Luo Connecting point
• SI-3 (=): dispels Dampness and Internal Heat; tonifies the Small Intestine; Small Intestine Wood and Tonification point; Master point of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel); Couple point of the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel)
• SI-2 (-): dispels Wind-Heat; moistens the throat; Small Intestine Water point
• SI-1 (- and/or bleed): disperses Wind and clears Heat; general sedating effect; relieves inflammation of mucous membranes; Small Intestine Jing Well, Metal and Entry point
• Ht-6 (-): nourishes Heart Yin; helps check Yang hyperactivity (EAMSS, p. 227); clears Xu (Deficiency) Heat, esp. from Heart; clears Fire from the Heart; Heart Xi Cleft Accumulation point
• Ht-7 (=): stabilizes the Exterior and stops sweating, esp. night sweats; stimulates secretion of fluids; calms the Heart; tonifies and nourishes Heart Yin and Xue (Blood); frees the channels; Heart Yuan Source, Earth and Dispersion point
• TW-10 (-): dispels Wind and clears Heat; pacifies the Shen and Heart; dissolves Phlegm; expands and relaxes the chest; Triple Warmer He Sea Upper Uniting, Dispersion and Earth point
TW-5 (-): relieves Exterior and Hot conditions; induces perspiration; dissipates Wind; clears Heat, esp. from Triple Warmer channel; opens and moves the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) and regulates the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel); dissolves Toxins; tonifies Wei (Protective) Qi; frees the channels to facilitate the circulation of Qi in the channels; alleviates pain; Triple Warmer Luo Connecting point; Master point of the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel); Couple point of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel)
• TW-4 (-): dispels Wind; clears Fire and Heat; moistens Dryness; promotes function of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); frees the channels and collateral vessels; Triple Warmer Yuan Source point
• TW-3 (-): facilitates Qi circulation; clears Heat; dispels Wind and Wind-Heat; facilitates the circulation of Qi; clears the head and eyes; benefits the ear; opens the sensory Orifices; influences the thyroid and pancreas (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); moistens Dryness, esp. the throat; Triple Warmer Wood and Tonification point
• TW-1 (-): dispels Wind; clears Heat, esp. from the Large Intestine and Triple Warmer channels; drains Fire; revives consciousness; opens the sensory Orifices; benefits the tongue; moistens the throat; eliminates Toxins; frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; Triple Warmer Jing Well, Metal and Entry point
• PC-7 (-): pacifies the Shen and stabilizes the emotions; clears Heat and Wind-Heat; clears Fire of Heart and Pericardium; relaxes the chest; harmonizes the Stomach; dissipates Heat from the Ying (nutrient system) and Xue (Blood); Pericardium Yuan Source, Earth and Dispersion point; historically used as the Heart Source point (Maciocia, p. 436)
shi xuan (bleed): clear Heat; esp. for acute tonsillitis
• CV-7 (=): supplements Kidney Yang; clears Obstruction from the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); treats acute tonsillitis; Mu Alarm point of the Lower Warmer
• St-36 (+): tonifies Qi, esp. of Stomach and Spleen; moves Stomach channel; expels Wind; facilitates the Lung and regulates Wei (Protective) Qi so as to resist External invasion; disperses noxious Yang and brings down high fever; supports Lung Qi and transforms Phlegm; regulates and strengthens Qi and Xue (Blood); regulates the Stomach and strengthens the Spleen; regulates Ying (Constructive) Qi and spreads Liver Qi; nourishes Kidney, Liver and Spleen; tonifies Kidney Yin; clears Heat from the Yang organs and drains Shi (Excess) from the Yang channels, esp. chronic cases with Heat; regulates ascension of the Clear and descension of the Turbid (-), esp. by the Intestines; frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; Stomach He Sea Lower Uniting, Earth and Horary point; Sea of Nourishment point
• St-39 (-): improves flow of Xue (Blood); clears Heat and resolves Damp; regulates Intestines and Stomach; transforms Stagnancy; He Sea Lower Uniting point of the Xiao Chang (Small Intestine); Sea of Xue (Blood) point with St-37 and UB-11
ca. St-43 (-): palpate for tender or painful point, on the Stomach channel or between the third and fourth metatarsals; needle to resolve focal infection in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes and relieve glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto)
St-44 (-): cools and drains Stomach Heat; reduces pain; balances Yin and Yang in Stomach channel; benefits throat; dispels Wind from face; harmonizes the Stomach; cools Heat and drains Dampness from the Stomach and Intestines; regulates Rebellious Qi; facilitates bowel movements; descends the Turbid; Stomach Water point
St-45 (-): facilitates flow of Qi; clears and disperses Heat from the upper body and Yang Ming (Stomach and Large Intestine) channels, esp. Stomach Heat; sedates pain; Stomach Jing Well, Metal and Dispersion point
• Sp-6 (+): nourishes Yin, esp. of the Spleen, Liver and Kidney; clears Fire due to Xu (Deficiency); strengthens the Spleen and tonifies the Qi; nourishes and moves the Xue (Blood); clears Xue (Blood) Heat and transforms Xue Yu (Blood Stasis); aids transportation and transformation to improve digestion and nourishment; frees Qi Stagnation and spreads Liver Qi; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the three Foot Yin channels
Kd-6 (+): nourishes the Heart; cools and clears Heat; clears Xu (Deficiency) Fire; removes Obstruction from the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel); opens the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); clears the Lung and tonifies Lung Yin; benefits the throat; tonifies the Kidney (especially Yin); moistens dryness; frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; sedates pain; esp. with a chronically dry, hot and inflamed throat; Master point and Entry point of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel); Couple point of Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)
• Kd-3 (+): nourishes and enriches Kidney Yin, supplies Liver Yin, and tonifies Yin of the entire body; tonifies the Kidney, Yuan (Original) Qi, Xue (Blood) and Jing (Essence); cools and descends Heat; pacifies Xu (Deficiency) Fire; clears Lung Heat; nourishes the Yin to moisten the Lung; regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Kidney Yuan Source and Earth point
• nei huai jian (- and/or D): brings down Heat from the throat and jaw

external application: extract tarry residue from a tobacco pipe and paint it onto red spots to be found in vicinity of GV-20 (Scott, p. 61)

ear: throat, tonsil, ear apex (bleed)


footnotes

Reprinted from The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, Giovanni, 1989, by permission of the publisher Churchill Livingstone, a division of Elsevier Limited.