Sore Throat

"Sore Throat" Issue / Symptom Connections

Below you will find various relationships to, and potential clinical treatment approaches for sore throat.

Content Related to Sore Throat

It is critical to appreciate that in Chinese Medicine, treatment for "sore throat" is rarely focused on the symptoms exclusively. Alternatively, a practitioner is looking at the factors that led to the development of "sore throat" - i.e. the "cause(s)".

For non-practitioners, we recommend reading treating the "cause" and not the "symptoms" for more on the overall approach and the importance of the TCM diagnostic system in formulating treatment approaches.

• View EX Huatuojiaji at C5 (Sides of Spine at C5)
  
      .5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of C5
  
      C5 innervates the areas of the larynx and pharynx, area is used for cough, tonsilitis, asthma, neck pain, snoring (often with C3 huatuo), vocal issues (loss of voice, etc.). Used extensively within the Tam Healing System and Tong Ren Ther…
• View EX Shang Lian Quan (On The Neck)
  
      1 cun below midpoint of lower jaw, in the depression between the hyoid bone and the lower border of the jaw.
  
      Local issues in the area - sore throat, congestion, difficulty swallowing, stiff tongue, loss of voice. May be used as a local point for obstructive sleep apnea to help open the throat.
• View HT 5 (Connecting Li)
  
      1 cun above the wrist crease on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon, on the HT 3 - HT 7 line.
  
      Speech a/or vocal disorders - aphasia (post-stroke), stiff tongue, stuttering, sudden loss of voice, sore throat. Spirit disorders and related physical manifestations, anxiety w/palpitations, arrhythmia, nervousness, depression - although…
• View KD 1 (Gushing Spring)
  
      On sole, in depression with foot in plantar flexion, at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of line conn…
  
      Descends excess from above, useful for LV Yang Rising or LV Fire - headaches, tinnitus, hypertension, epilepsy. Cooling KD empty heat - chronic sore throat, dry mouth, low back pain. Tonify KD/HT Yin - insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, po…
• View KD 2 (Blazing Valley)
  
      Anterior and Inferior to the medial malleolus in a depression on the lower border of the tuberosity of the navicular bo…
  
      Generally useful for clearing excesses & acute presentations. Ying Spring Point - clears heat, especially KD empty heat - chronic sore throats, irritability, night sweats, thirst. Lower abdomen/sex organ/genital issues - Irregular me…
• View KD 3 (Great Ravine)
  
      In depression midway between the tip of the medial malleolus and the attachment of the achilles tendon.
  
      Tonify KD Qi, Yin or Yang Deficiencies from any etiology. Asthma from KD Deficiency - difficulty inhaling. Tonifies Yin of KD (chronic sore throat, empty heat), LV (dizziness, tinnitus, headache) a/or HT (anxiety, insomnia, excessive dre…
• View KD 6 (Shining Sea)
  
      In a depression below the tip of the medial malleolus.
  
      Sore throat from any etiology, especially empty heat from yin deficiency. Other Yin Deficient throat related issues - swollen, dry, loss of voice, difficult swallowing. A range of menstrual issues such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, infert…
• View LI 2 (Second Space)
  
      On the radial side of the index finger distal to the 2nd metacarpophalangeal joint in a depression at the border of the…
  
      Shown to increase saliva production and to effect the areas of the brain involved in saliva production. Useful for dry mouth (xerostomia). LI 2 & LI 3 are not used often clinically as LI 4 & LI 11 have broader applications. Sedat…
• View LI 3 (Third Space)
  
      On the radial side of the index finger, proximal to the head of the 2nd metacarpal bone.
  
      Expel wind and heat particularly from the throat, teeth, mouth, face and eyes. Diarrhea.  
• View LI 17 (Celestial Tripod)
  
      On the lateral side of the neck, 1 cun below LI 18 on the posterior border of the SCM.
  
      Sore throat, loss of voice, sensation of something "stuck" in the throat ("plum pit qi"). Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Used to effect the circulation within the carotid artery.  The left side is used more for physical complaints and the r…
• View LU 7 (Broken Sequence)
  
      1.5 cun above the wrist crease, superior to the styloid process of the radius (not on the LU 5 - LU 9 line in TCM). Jap…
  
      Exterior Wind - body aches, chills/fever, runny nose, scratchy throat, sneezing. Internal Wind - bell's palsy, twitching, spasms, lockjaw. As Master Point of the CV, paired with KD 6 of the Yin Qiao Mai - treats genitourinary and gynecol…
• View LU 10 (Fish Border)
  
      On the radial aspect of the 1st metacarpal at the midpoint of the bone at the junction of the red and white skin.
  
      Clear Excess or Deficiency Heat from the LU Channel and Organ. Sore throat w/excess heat. Reckless bleeding from heat.
• View LU 11 (Lesser Shang)
  
      .1 cun posterior to the thumb nail on the radial side.
  
      Extreme sore throat (may bleed point to reduce heat). Revival point especially from wind-stroke.
• View SI 1 (Lesser Marsh)
  
      .1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail on the ulnar side of the little finger.
  
      Breast disorders of any etiology, insufficient lactation, mastitis, breast abscess, cysts. Jing Well Point, clear heat from the opposite end of the channel, for eye redness, earache, tinnitus, sore throat, stiff tongue. Headache, dizzine…
• View SI 2 (Front Valley)
  
      When a loose fist is made, at the ulnar end of the crease, distal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the junction …
  
      Local point for pain, swelling, numbness of the fingers.  As the water point it will remove heat - febrile disease, hot palms, darker urine. Clear heat from the opposite end of the channel, tinnitus, headache, sore throat, neck, ear and/o…
• View SI 3 (Back Ravine)
  
      When a loose fist is made, at the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpal phalangeal joint…
  
      Master Point of the GV, effects entire pathway. Pain in the scapula, arm a/or hand combine with local points. Stiff neck, cervical strain/sprain, pain of the back or neck. Occipital headaches, combine with local points. Night sweats, c…
• View SI 16 (Celestial Windows)
  
      On the lateral side of the neck, posterior to the SCM and LI 18, level with the Adam's apple.
  
      Both SI 16 & SI 17 are Window of the Sky Points and are useful for throat distention, swelling, goiters, lumps in neck a/or throat, voice issues. Ear issues - tinnitus, deafness, pain. Local point for neck and/or shoulder problems. …
• View SI 17 (Celestial Countenance)
  
      Posterior to the angle of the mandible in a depression on the anterior border of the SCM.
  
      Both SI 16 & SI 17 are Window of the Sky Points and are useful for throat distention, swelling, goiters, lumps in neck a/or throat. Chest oppression, wheezing, cough, asthma. Ear issues - tinnitus, deafness. Tong Ren/Tam Healing Sys…
• View ST 9 (Man's Prognosis)
  
      Level with the tip of the Adam's Apple on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle (where the pulse of …
  
      In ancient times the ST Qi was assessed by palpating the pulse here and at ST 42. Regulation of Blood Pressure - lowering high blood pressure. Headache, dizziness. Sore throat, counterflow qi (vomiting), coughing, hiccups. Acute lumbar…
• View ST 10 (Water Prominence)
  
      Midway between ST 9 and ST 11 at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle.
  
      Local point - swollen/sore throat, shortness of breath, goitre, scrofula. Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Used to effect the circulation within the common carotid artery and the vagus nerve.  Useful for issues such as high cholesterol, const…
• View ST 11 (Qi Abode)
  
      At the superior border of the clavicle between the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle.
  
      Local point - sore/swollen throat - counterflow qi, cough, hiccups, reflux. Neck pain - pain, inability to turn neck. Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Main point to open the circulation of the common carotid artery.  Useful for conditions su…
• View ST 12 (Empty Basin)
  
      In the midpoint of the supraclavicular fossa, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
  
      Shoulder pain (esp. that radiates to neck). Neck/throat issues - tightness/pain. Cough, counterflow qi, sore, swollen throat (rebellious lung qi). Internal branch of the ST meridian connects here directly from the Stomach, Spleen & …
• View ST 40 (Beautiful Bulge)
  
      8 cun below ST 35, one finger width lateral to ST 38, two finger widths lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.
  
      Empirical point to resolve phlegm in the body anywhere from any origin. Phlegm in the head - headaches, dizziness / vertigo, depression, poor concentration, stronger shen disturbances - mania. Phlegm in the body - chest oppression, breat…
• View ST 44 (Inner Court)
  
      Proximal to the web margin between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, in a depression distal and lateral to the 2nd meta…
  
      Ying Spring Point - Clears heat from the channel and organ - febrile disease with absence of sweating.  Useful for issues of the Face & Jaw along with LI 4 - toothache, facial pain, bell's palsy, stroke, sore throat, eye pain. Damp H…
• View ST 45 (Severe Mouth)
  
      .1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail on the lateral side of the 2nd toe.
  
      Release heat a/or move stagnation from the channel and organ - headaches, toothaches, facial pain, sore throat, TMJ, bell's palsy, facial deviation from stroke. Agitation a/or insomnia w/heat signs, excessive dreaming, loss of consciousne…