Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

How Chinese medicine differentiates bruxism, the five patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. 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. Jaw pain, worn or cracked teeth, or headaches from grinding should also be assessed by a dentist for a night guard alongside any other treatment.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for bruxism — 10 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
LR-2	Drains Liver-Fire and subdues Liver-Yang.
G.B.-20	Expels exterior Wind. Extinguishes interior Wind. Subdues Liver-Yang.
ST-44	Clears Heat. Regulates the Intestines and resolves Damp-Heat.
ST-6	Expels Wind. Removes obstructions from the channel.
L.I.-4	Expels exterior Wind. Removes obstructions from the channel.
HE-7	Calms the Mind and opens the Mind's orifices. Nourishes Heart-Blood.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen. Nourishes Blood and Yin.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen. Tonifies Qi and Blood.
ST-40	Resolves Phlegm and Dampness. Subdues rebellious Qi.
P-6	Opens the chest and moves Qi and Blood. Calms the Mind.
KI-3	Tonifies the Kidneys (Yin and Yang). Strengthens Essence.

The Five Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Liver-Qi Stagnation Transforming into Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Grinding worse with stress and anger; irritability; a bitter taste; distending or burning pain along the ribs; a headache at the temples; a red face and eyes.

Tongue: Red with redder sides, yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry, Rapid.

Treatment principle: Soothe Liver-Qi stagnation, clear Heat and harmonize the Spleen.

LR-3 ↓ LR-2 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Heat — the same pattern name, and irritability, a feeling of heat and Red tongue sides are shared.

2. Stomach Fire View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Excessive hunger; foul breath; swollen or bleeding gums; a burning stomach sensation; thirst for cold drinks.

Tongue: Red with central prickles, thick dry yellow coating. Pulse: Rapid, Slippery, forceful.

Treatment principle: Clear Stomach-Heat and direct it downward, easing the upward rush that irritates the gums and jaw.

ST-44 ↓ ST-6 ⊥ L.I.-4 ↓

Note: no moxa. Matches Stomach-Heat (or Phlegm-Heat) — excessive hunger and foul breath are shared hallmarks.

3. Heart and Spleen Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Nighttime grinding; fatigue; a poor appetite with bloating; palpitations; restless sleep; vivid dreams.

Tongue: Pale, tender, teeth marks, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, weak.

Treatment principle: Tonify Heart-Blood and Spleen-Qi to nourish the muscles and calm the Mind.

HE-7 ↑ SP-6 ↑ ST-36 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Matches Spleen- and Heart-Blood deficiency — palpitations, dream-disturbed sleep, tiredness and loose stools/poor appetite share the same combined-deficiency mechanism.

4. Phlegm-Heat

Clinical manifestations: Chest heaviness; a sensation of throat blockage; restless sleep; nausea; a sticky taste; thick yellow phlegm.

Tongue: Red, slightly swollen, thick yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery, Rapid.

Treatment principle: Clear Phlegm-Heat, calm the Mind and harmonize the Stomach to settle the jaw.

ST-40 ↓ P-6 ↓

Note: no moxa. This site's \"Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs\" slide is cough/breathing-framed rather than throat-blockage-and-nausea-framed, so no pattern link is given here.

5. Empty-Heat from Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Grinding worse at night; a dry mouth and throat, especially in the evening; night sweats; heat in the palms, soles and chest; a malar flush; restless sleep.

Tongue: Red, thin, dry, cracks, minimal coating. Pulse: Fine, Rapid.

Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney-Yin to anchor Empty-Heat and moisten the sinews.

Nourish Yin

KI-3 ↑ HE-7 ↑ SP-6 ↑

Local point

ST-6 ⊥

Note: no moxa. Direct match with Kidney-Yin deficiency, Empty-Heat blazing.

Related conditions

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