Patterns

Achilles Tendinitis · Blood Stasis Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 6 min Body Area: Ankle Pattern Overview # Blood Stasis is a common pattern in chronic Achilles tendinitis, characterized by sharp, fixed pain that worsens at night, often with a history of overuse or repeated microtrauma. The core pathogenesis is stagnation of blood in the tendon collateral vessels, blocking the free flow of Qi and Blood, leading to pain and fibrosis. ...

Achilles Tendinitis · Damp-Heat Bi Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 6 min Body Area: Ankle Pattern Overview # Damp-Heat Bi is an acute inflammatory pattern in Achilles tendinitis, characterized by burning pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the tendon, causing local inflammation and fluid exudation. Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points # Differentiation Dimension Manifestations Primary Symptoms Burning pain, swelling, redness, and local warmth in the Achilles tendon Associated Symptoms Limited ankle movement, pain aggravated by pressure or movement Tongue and Pulse Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse Pathogenesis Damp-Heat accumulating in the tendon, causing inflammation and swelling Etiology Acute overuse, infection, or dietary factors (rich, spicy foods) Acupuncture Point Prescription # Point Location Function BL60 Kunlun Depression between lateral malleolus and Achilles tendon Unblocks the Bladder meridian; reduces local inflammation SP9 Yinlingquan Below the medial condyle of the tibia Transforms Dampness and drains Heat GB34 Yanglingquan Depression below the head of the fibula Relaxes tendons and reduces pain Ashi points Tender spots around the tendon Local clearing of Damp-Heat Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; may combine with pricking and cupping at Ashi points to drain Damp-Heat. ...

Achilles Tendinitis · Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 6 min Body Area: Ankle Pattern Overview # Liver-Kidney Deficiency is a chronic degenerative pattern in Achilles tendinitis, characterized by dull aching pain, weakness in the tendon, and aggravation with overwork. The core pathogenesis is insufficient nourishment of the tendon by Liver Blood and Kidney Essence, leading to gradual degeneration and reduced healing capacity. ...

Achilles Tendinitis · Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 6 min Body Area: Ankle Pattern Overview # Wind-Cold-Damp Bi is a common pattern in Achilles tendinitis, characterized by cold pain, stiffness, and aggravation in cold weather. The core pathogenesis is invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp pathogens into the tendon meridians, causing obstruction of Qi and Blood flow, leading to pain and stiffness. ...

Acne · Chong-Ren Disharmony Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Face/Skin Pattern Overview # Chong-Ren Disharmony is a pattern in acne, characterized by premenstrual acne exacerbation, hormonal cycle fluctuations, relative androgen elevation, and menstrual irregularities. The core pathogenesis is Chong-Ren meridian dysfunction causing hormonal cycle disturbance, leading to premenstrual acne flare-ups. Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points # Differentiation Dimension Manifestations Primary Symptoms Premenstrual acne exacerbation, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual tension Associated Symptoms Breast tenderness, irritability, abdominal pain, irregular menstruation Tongue and Pulse Pale red tongue with thin white coating, wiry or deep and weak pulse Pathogenesis Chong-Ren meridian dysfunction causing hormonal cycle disturbance Etiology Hormonal fluctuations, menstrual disorders, stress, constitutional factors Acupuncture Point Prescription # Point Location Function Sanyinjiao (SP6) 3 cun above the medial malleolus Regulates menstruation and harmonizes Chong-Ren Guanyuan (RN4) 3 cun below the umbilicus Tonifies Yuan Qi and regulates Chong-Ren Taixi (KI3) Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon Nourishes Kidney-Yin and regulates menstruation Xuehai (SP10) On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella Cools Blood and regulates menstruation Taichong (LR3) Dorsum of the foot, between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals Soothes Liver-Qi and regulates menstruation Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, even method; treatment is most effective when started 1-2 weeks before menstruation. ...

Acne · Damp-Heat Accumulation Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Face/Skin Pattern Overview # Damp-Heat Accumulation is a common pattern in acne, characterized by seborrhea with inflammation, cystic acne, oily skin, nodules, painful lesions, and pustules. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the skin, causing sebaceous gland inflammation, cystic lesion formation, and severe acne. ...

Acne · Lung Channel Wind-Heat Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Face/Skin Pattern Overview # Lung Channel Wind-Heat is a common pattern in acne, characterized by sebum overproduction with Propionibacterium acnes proliferation, inflammatory papules, pustules, itching, and erythema. The core pathogenesis is Wind-Heat in the Lung Channel ascending to the face, causing sebaceous gland inflammation and acne lesion formation. ...

Acne · Phlegm-Dampness Congealing Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Face/Skin Pattern Overview # Phlegm-Dampness Congealing is a pattern in acne, characterized by nodular cystic acne, sebaceous gland duct hyperkeratosis, deep inflammation, fibrosis, and persistent lesions. The core pathogenesis is Phlegm-Dampness congealing in the skin, causing sebaceous gland duct hyperkeratosis, deep inflammation, and nodule formation. ...

Allergic Rhinitis · Kidney-Yang Deficiency Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Head Pattern Overview # Kidney-Yang Deficiency is a severe pattern in allergic rhinitis, characterized by HPA axis dysfunction, severe nasal congestion, cold intolerance, frequent urination, and generalized immune dysfunction. The core pathogenesis is Kidney-Yang deficiency failing to warm the body, leading to HPA axis dysfunction, reduced cortisol levels, and impaired immune regulation. ...

Allergic Rhinitis · Lung Channel Latent Heat Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Head Pattern Overview # Lung Channel Latent Heat is a pattern in allergic rhinitis, characterized by perennial allergic rhinitis with acute exacerbation, nasal congestion with yellow or sticky discharge, dry throat, and nasal itching. The core pathogenesis is Latent Heat in the Lung Channel, causing chronic nasal mucosal inflammation, eosinophil infiltration, and acute exacerbations. ...

Allergic Rhinitis · Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Head Pattern Overview # Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold is the core pattern in allergic rhinitis, characterized by IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity, nasal congestion with clear watery discharge, paroxysmal sneezing, cold sensitivity, and easy susceptibility to colds. The core pathogenesis is Lung-Qi deficiency with weakened defensive exterior, allowing Wind-Cold pathogens to invade the nasal passages, triggering mast cell degranulation and allergic symptoms. ...

Allergic Rhinitis · Spleen-Qi Deficiency Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Head Pattern Overview # Spleen-Qi Deficiency is a common pattern in allergic rhinitis, characterized by immune dysregulation, nasal congestion with clear discharge, fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools. The core pathogenesis is Spleen-Qi deficiency failing to transform and transport, leading to Dampness accumulation and impaired immune defense. ...