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Frozen Shoulder

How Chinese medicine differentiates frozen shoulder (Painful Obstruction of the shoulder), 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. None of this site's existing pattern decks cover Painful Obstruction (Bi Syndrome) — these five patterns aren't linked to a deck slide because no matching one exists here yet.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for frozen shoulder — 12 key points, used across most of the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
L.I.-15Removes obstructions from the channel, expels Wind and Dampness, resolves Phlegm.
T.B.-14Removes obstructions from the channel.
BL-17Invigorates Blood, opens the chest and diaphragm.
SP-10Cools Blood, invigorates Blood and eliminates stasis.
G.B.-21Relaxes the sinews, removes obstructions from the channel.
S.I.-11Removes obstructions from the channel, opens the chest.
L.I.-11Clears Heat, regulates the Intestines.
ST-40Resolves Phlegm and Dampness, opens the chest, subdues rebellious Qi.
SP-6Strengthens the Spleen, resolves Dampness, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
Du-4Tonifies Kidney-Yang, warms the Gate of Life, tonifies Original Qi.
BL-23Tonifies the Kidneys, nourishes Kidney-Essence, strengthens the lower back.
G.B.-34Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, resolves Damp-Heat in Liver and Gall Bladder, benefits the sinews.
The Five Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method — technique below follows standard Excess/Deficiency treatment principle for each pattern, not tied to a specific point-by-point source. None of these five patterns has a matching slide in this site's pattern decks (no Painful Obstruction / Bi Syndrome category exists here), so no "View full pattern" links are shown this time.

1. Blood Stagnation

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain that worsens at night; pain worse with pressure; brought on by cold or damp weather, prolonged inactivity, emotional stress, or spicy or greasy food; eased by gentle stretching, warmth, warm meals, or adequate rest.
Tongue: Dark Purple body with stasis spots, distended dark sublingual veins, thin white coating. Pulse: Choppy or Wiry.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood, resolve stasis.
L.I.-15 ↓ T.B.-14 ↓ BL-17 ↓ SP-10 ↓
Note: no moxa.

2. Painful Obstruction due to Damp-Heat in Channels

Clinical manifestations: A red, swollen, hot shoulder; heavy aching; thirst and irritability; a feverish sensation; brought on by hot humid weather, spicy or greasy food, alcohol, heat packs, or pressure; eased by cold compresses, cooling food, rest, or a light bland diet.
Tongue: Red body, possibly swollen, yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery, Rapid.
Treatment principle: Clear Heat, resolve Dampness, unblock the channel.
G.B.-21 ↓ L.I.-15 ↓ S.I.-11 ↓ L.I.-11 ↓
Note: no moxa.

3. Phlegm in the Channels, Joints and Muscles

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain; a heavy, numb sensation; hard swelling; purplish discolouration; chest tightness with excessive phlegm; brought on by damp humid weather, heavy, greasy or cold food, or prolonged inactivity; eased by gentle stretching, warm dry weather, or warm meals.
Tongue: Purple body with stasis spots, white greasy coating, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Wiry and Choppy, or Wiry and Slippery.
Treatment principle: Resolve Phlegm, unblock the channel.
ST-40 ↓ L.I.-15 ↓ SP-6 ↓

4. Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp

Clinical manifestations: A deep, dull, cold aching; cold hands and feet; an aversion to cold; fatigue; a pale complexion; heavy limbs; brought on by cold or damp weather, prolonged inactivity, cold or raw food, overexertion, or drafts and air conditioning; eased by warmth, gentle stretching, moxibustion, warm dry weather, or warming food and spices.
Tongue: Pale and swollen with tooth marks, white greasy-moist coating. Pulse: Deep, Slow, Minute or Soggy.
Treatment principle: Warm and tonify Yang, dispel Cold and Dampness.
L.I.-15 ↑ S.I.-11 ↑ Du-4 ↑ BL-23 ↑ G.B.-34 ↑
Note: moxa applicable.

5. Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: A dull, chronic aching; lower back and knee soreness and weakness; fatigue; a pale, dull complexion; brought on by cold or damp weather, overexertion, prolonged inactivity, or cold or raw food; eased by warmth, gentle stretching, rest, nourishing warm food, or moxibustion.
Tongue: Pale, thin body, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, Weak, Slow.
Treatment principle: Nourish Liver and Kidneys, unblock the channel.
L.I.-15 ↑ BL-23 ↑ G.B.-34 ↑
Note: moxa applicable.
Related conditions
Large Intestine Patterns Deck Gall Bladder Patterns Deck

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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.