Chronic Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)

How Chinese medicine differentiates chronic pharyngitis, the four 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. A sore throat with fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or lasting more than a few weeks needs medical evaluation before acupuncture is considered.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for chronic pharyngitis — 9 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
Ren-23	Benefits the tongue and speech. Subdues rebellious Qi.
Ren-22	Stimulates the descending of Lung-Qi. Resolves Phlegm. Benefits the throat and voice.
LU-7	Promotes the descending and diffusing of Lung-Qi. Benefits the head and neck.
KI-6	Nourishes Kidney-Yin. Benefits the throat.
ST-9	Regulates the ascending and descending of Qi to and from the head. Subdues rebellious Qi. Dissipates nodules.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen. Tonifies Qi and Blood.
ST-40	Resolves Phlegm and Dampness. Subdues rebellious Qi.
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
BL-23	Tonifies the Kidneys and nourishes Kidney-Essence.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A dry, burning throat, worse in the afternoon and evening; night sweats; heat in the palms and soles; lower back soreness; red cheeks; thin, watery sputum.

Tongue: Red with cracks, minimal coating, dry surface. Pulse: Fine, Rapid, weak in the rear positions.

Treatment principle: Nourish Yin and moisten Dryness, clearing the deficiency-Heat rising to scorch the throat.

Ren-23 ↑ Ren-22 ↑ LU-7 ↑ KI-6 ↑ ST-9 ⊥

Note: no moxa. Matches Kidney- and Lung-Yin deficiency — dry throat and night sweating are shared hallmarks.

2. Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A persistent lump sensation in the throat; throat itching with thin watery sputum; a poor appetite; bloating; loose stools; fatigue and heaviness.

Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth marks, thin white coating. Pulse: Weak, soft, especially at the right middle position.

Treatment principle: Strengthen digestive transformation to lift clear Yang upward and clear the phlegm obstruction at the throat.

Ren-22 ↑ Ren-23 ↑ ST-36 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Stomach- and Spleen-Qi deficiency.

3. Qi-Phlegm

Clinical manifestations: A fixed lump-in-throat sensation that cannot be swallowed away or coughed up; chest oppression; stress-triggered worsening; frequent sighing.

Tongue: Normal-colored with a white greasy, slippery coating. Pulse: Wiry, Slippery.

Treatment principle: Move Qi and dissipate nodules, releasing the stuck Liver-Qi and transforming the accumulated Phlegm.

Ren-22 ↓ ST-40 ↓ LR-3 ↓

Note: no moxa. No deck on this site has a standalone Qi-Phlegm/plum-pit-throat pattern, so no pattern link is given here.

4. Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A cold throat sensation; a weak, low voice; a sore, cold lower back and knees; cold hands and feet; loose stools; fatigue lacking energy.

Tongue: Pale, swollen, puffy, teeth marks, white slippery coating. Pulse: Deep, weak, Slow, feeble at the Chi positions.

Treatment principle: Warm Yang and disperse Cold, restoring internal warmth and digestive fire.

Ren-22 ↑ Ren-23 ↑ BL-23 ↑ ST-36 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Kidney- and Spleen-Yang deficiency.

Related conditions

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