Armpit Pain

How Chinese medicine differentiates armpit pain into the six patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Axilla Swelling and Rib Pain pages. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. A new lump, swelling, or persistent one-sided armpit pain — especially with a breast change or arm swelling — needs a medical examination first.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for armpit pain — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
LIV-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Extinguishes interior Wind. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
G.B.-21	Relaxes sinews. Benefits the breasts and promotes lactation. Stimulates the descending of Qi and promotes delivery.
G.B.-34	Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi. Resolves Damp-Heat in Liver and Gall Bladder. Benefits the sinews.

The Six Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Liver Qi Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Distending, wandering pain in the armpit that moves around; worse with stress and frustration, better with relaxation; irritability; rib tightness.

Tongue: Normal or slightly dark with red sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry.

Treatment principle: Courses the Liver, resolves constraint, moves Qi and relieves pain.

LIV-3 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓ G.B.-21 ↓

Note: no moxa.

2. Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Burning armpit pain; swelling and redness; bitter mouth taste; dark yellow urine; heaviness; genital itching.

Tongue: Red, yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Wiry, slippery and rapid.

Treatment principle: Drains Liver and Gall Bladder Fire and clears Damp-Heat from the channel.

LIV-3 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓ G.B.-21 ↓

Note: no moxa.

3. Blood Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain that is worse at night and with pressure; a palpable lump or bruising.

Tongue: Dark purple or dusky, stasis spots. Pulse: Choppy or wiry.

Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis, moves Qi and relieves pain.

SP-10 ↓ LIV-3 ↓ HE-1 ↓

Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Liver-Blood-stasis slide (dark purple tongue with stasis spots).

4. Qi and Blood Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: Dull, lingering ache worse with fatigue; pale face and lips; weakness; shortness of breath.

Tongue: Pale, possibly tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Fine, weak and empty.

Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi, nourishes Blood and strengthens the Spleen.

ST-36 ↑ SP-6 ↑ HE-1 ⊥

Note: moxa is appropriate. No combined Qi-and-Blood-deficiency slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.

5. Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp

Clinical manifestations: Cold, heavy aching pain that improves with warmth and worsens with cold; cold limbs; aversion to cold; fatigue; loose stools.

Tongue: Pale, swollen, tooth-marked, white greasy moist coat. Pulse: Deep and slow.

Treatment principle: Warms Yang, disperses Cold, tonifies Qi and strengthens the Spleen.

DU-4 ↑ BL-23 ↑ ST-36 ↑ G.B.-21 ⊥

Note: moxa is strongly indicated. No matching deck slide — no pattern link is given here.

6. Toxic-Heat

Clinical manifestations: Throbbing, burning pain with visible redness, swelling and heat; possible pus or abscess; fever; intense thirst; restlessness.

Tongue: Red with prickly thorns, dry yellow coat. Pulse: Rapid, forceful, often slippery.

Treatment principle: Clears Heat and resolves toxin; purges Fire from the three Burners.

G.B.-21 ↓ L.I.-11 ↓ ST-36 ⊥

Note: no moxa. Needs prompt medical review. This site's decks have no standalone Toxic-Heat slide, confirmed absent many times — no pattern link is given here.

Related conditions

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