Patterns

Alopecia Areata · Blood Deficiency with Wind-Dryness Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Skin Pattern Overview # Blood Deficiency with Wind-Dryness is the most common pattern in alopecia areata, characterized by T-cell-mediated autoimmune attack on hair follicles, sudden hair loss, smooth bald patches, itching, and scalp dryness. The core pathogenesis is Blood deficiency with Wind-Dryness invading the hair follicles, causing immune privilege collapse and hair loss. ...

Alopecia Areata · Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Skin Pattern Overview # Liver-Kidney Deficiency is a chronic pattern in alopecia areata, characterized by hair follicle stem cell dysfunction, Wnt/β-catenin signaling abnormality, hair follicle papilla cell apoptosis, and chronic hair loss. The core pathogenesis is Liver-Kidney deficiency failing to nourish the hair follicles, leading to stem cell dysfunction and impaired hair growth. ...

Alopecia Areata · Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Skin Pattern Overview # Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis is a pattern in alopecia areata, characterized by microcirculatory disturbance, scalp pain, patchy hair loss, fixed lesions, and dark scalp color. The core pathogenesis is Qi stagnation and Blood stasis in the scalp collaterals, causing reduced hair follicle blood supply and impaired hair growth. ...

Alopecia Areata · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 7 min Body Area: Skin Pattern Overview # Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in alopecia areata, characterized by telogen effluvium or recovery phase, shortened hair growth cycle, premature entry into telogen, fatigue, and pale complexion. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood failing to nourish the hair follicles, leading to shortened hair growth cycle and premature hair loss. ...

Ankle Pain · 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 ankle pain following injury, characterized by sharp, fixed pain, swelling, and aggravation at night. The core pathogenesis is stagnation of blood in the ankle collaterals following trauma or overuse, causing pain, swelling, and impaired healing. ...

Ankle Pain · 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 ankle pain, characterized by swelling, redness, burning pain, and synovitis with effusion. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the ankle joint, causing local inflammation, fluid exudation, and impaired joint function. ...

Ankle Pain · 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 ankle pain, characterized by chronic aching pain, joint degeneration, and aggravation with overwork. The core pathogenesis is insufficient nourishment of the ankle joint by Liver Blood and Kidney Essence, leading to gradual joint degeneration. ...

Ankle Pain · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 6 min Body Area: Ankle Pattern Overview # Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic weakness pattern in ankle pain, characterized by dull aching pain, poor healing, and generalized weakness. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish the ankle tissues, leading to impaired repair and chronic discomfort. ...

Ankle Pain · 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 ankle pain, characterized by cold pain, joint stiffness, and aggravation in cold or damp weather. The core pathogenesis is invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp pathogens into the ankle meridians, causing obstruction of Qi and Blood flow and joint dysfunction. ...

Ankle Sprain · 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 following ankle sprain, characterized by significant swelling, redness, burning pain, and localized warmth. The core pathogenesis is Damp-Heat accumulation at the injury site, causing intense inflammation and fluid exudation. Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points # Differentiation Dimension Manifestations Primary Symptoms Severe swelling, redness, burning pain in the ankle Associated Symptoms Localized warmth, limited movement, possible fever Tongue and Pulse Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse Pathogenesis Damp-Heat accumulating at the injury site Etiology Severe sprain with significant inflammatory response, infection Acupuncture Point Prescription # Point Location Function 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 BL60 Kunlun Depression between lateral malleolus and Achilles tendon Unblocks the Bladder meridian; reduces swelling Ashi points Tender spots around the ankle Local clearing of Damp-Heat Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; may combine with pricking and cupping to drain Damp-Heat. Avoid strong manipulation in the acute phase. ...

Ankle Sprain · Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 6 min Body Area: Ankle Pattern Overview # Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis is the core pattern in acute ankle sprains, characterized by ligament injury with hematoma, swelling, bruising, and limited movement. The core pathogenesis is trauma causing Qi stagnation and Blood stasis in the ankle collaterals, leading to pain, swelling, and impaired function. ...

Ankle Sprain · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern # Updated: June 23, 2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM Reading Time: 6 min Body Area: Ankle Pattern Overview # Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern following ankle sprain, characterized by chronic instability with weakness, poor healing, and recurrent sprains. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish and repair the ankle ligaments, leading to chronic instability and recurrent injury. ...