Acupuncture Treatment for PMS

Pharyngitis more commonly as a sore throat is usually a sign of an allergic reaction or an infection like the common cold. The belief of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) about sore throats is that they are the result of a number of different factors that include dryness, wind and heat. Your acupuncturist or TCM practitioner will usually utilize a number of points to resolve the symptoms as well as target the root of the condition. Consult with your doctor about your symptoms and see if acupuncture is apt for your condition.

Points and Meridians

TCM believes that the body is made up of vital energy or qi. This qi circulates throughout the body through energy vessels known as meridians. Stimulating affected meridians with very fine acupuncture needles can restore the balance within the troubled organ, potentially harmonizing the entire body of the person. Each acupuncture point possesses a unique function and sometimes a number of functions for just one point. A combination of points may be selected for sore throat which often includes the ones that can clear heat, promote moisture and target the underlying problems.

Points to Clear Heat

Sore throats may be observed by the acupuncturist as red, indicating heat, based on TCM theory. Acupuncture points Lung 10 and 11 (L10 and L11) are needled to alleviate the pain and clear heat. These points can be either manually pressured or needled. The L11 point, situated next to the outer end of the thumb nail’s base can be needled and allow drops of blood to fall in order to remove heat. The same procedure can be performed on the large intestine point one (LI 1), located close to the index of the finger’s nail. When pricked, this point can also relieve sore throat pain and remove heat.

Points for Dryness

Sinus blockages can cause a stuffy nose that may force you to breathe through your mouth and thus result in a sore throat and dry mouth. When this happens, your acupuncturist can treat points that help relieve the pain and increase moisture, while at the same time, regulate mucosal fluid and drain sinuses. The large intestine point 4 and lung point 7 can treat symptoms related to head colds and congestion. Needling the points kidney 6 and spleen 6, both located on the leg, as well as conception vessel 12, found on the chest, can aid in improving moisture and regulating body fluids.

Local Points

There are certain acupuncture points that lie on the affected area itself that also need to be stimulated. These points are located on the throat and neck areas and can help treat throat pain. They are the points LI (large intestine) 17 and 18. Their stimulation can benefit the throat by alleviating swallowing difficulty and reducing soreness. Conception point 22 is found in the cavity above the breastbone. Stimulating it can help treat loss of voice and pain and clear phlegm in the throat.

 

Scott Paglia is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Bellingham, WA and provides master level pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Whatcom County, WA.