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Cramps in the Calves or Feet

How Chinese medicine differentiates cramps in the calves and feet into the four patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Muscle Cramps and Muscle Spasm 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. Frequent cramps with swelling, one-sided calf pain or redness need urgent assessment for a blood clot. Persistent cramps also warrant checking electrolytes, medication effects and circulation.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for cramps in the calves or feet — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
G.B.-34Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi. Resolves Damp-Heat in Liver and Gall Bladder. Benefits the sinews.
BL-57Relaxes the sinews and removes obstructions from the channel. Treats haemorrhoids.
SP-6Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness. Promotes the function of the Liver and the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method.

1. Qi and Blood Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: Cramps at rest, especially at night; persistent fatigue; pale complexion; dizziness; dull, tight (not sharp) cramps.
Tongue: Pale, thin coat. Pulse: Fine and weak.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi and nourishes Blood to nourish the sinews.
ST-36 ↑ SP-6 ↑ BL-57 ⊥ LIV-3 ⊥
Note: moxa is appropriate. No combined Qi-and-Blood-deficiency slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.

2. Phlegm in the Channels, Joints and Muscles

Clinical manifestations: Heavy calves; cramps worse at night or in damp weather; stiffness; firm nodular lumps; purplish discoloration.
Tongue: Purple with stasis spots, greasy white coat. Pulse: Wiry and choppy, or slippery.
Treatment principle: Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm to restore channel flow.
ST-40 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓ BL-57 ⊥ SP-9 ↓
Note: Mixed Deficiency/Excess. This site's decks have no Phlegm-in-the-channels slide, confirmed absent many times — no pattern link is given here.

3. Qi and Blood Stagnation

Clinical manifestations: Stabbing, fixed-location cramps; visible dark or varicose veins; fullness in the calf; pain worse with pressure.
Tongue: Dark purple with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Wiry and choppy.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis to unblock the channels.
G.B.-34 ↓ BL-57 ⊥ SP-10 ↓
Note: no moxa. No combined Qi-and-Blood-stagnation slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.

4. Empty-Wind Agitating in the Interior

Clinical manifestations: Intermittent spasms, worse at night and at rest; trembling; deep exhaustion; night sweats; dry mouth; dizziness.
Tongue: Crimson, thin, dry, cracked, minimal coat. Pulse: Fine, rapid and weak.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Yin and extinguishes internal Wind to stabilize the sinews.
BL-57 ⊥ LIV-3 ⊥ SP-6 ↑ G.B.-34 ⊥
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs). No Empty-Wind-from-Yin-deficiency slide exists — no pattern link is given here.
Related conditions
Muscle Cramps Muscle Spasm Leg Pain

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Acupuncture-only reference — structure adapted (not text) from how other condition-lookup sites organize this kind of content. Let us know what to add or change.