Gallstones

How Chinese medicine differentiates gallstones, 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. Severe pain, jaundice, high fever, or a suspected blocked bile duct needs urgent medical evaluation before acupuncture is considered.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for gallstones — 8 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
G.B.-34	Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, resolves Damp-Heat in Liver and Gall Bladder.
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, invigorates Blood.
LR-14	Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, harmonizes Liver and Stomach.
BL-19	Resolves Damp-Heat in Liver and Gall Bladder, subdues rebellious Qi.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood.
BL-18	Nourishes and invigorates Liver-Blood, moves Liver-Qi.
BL-23	Tonifies the Kidneys and nourishes Kidney-Essence.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen, nourishes Blood and Yin.
KI-6	Nourishes Kidney-Yin, calms the Mind, clears deficiency Heat.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Pain or distension below the ribs, especially on the right side; a bitter taste in the mouth; an aversion to greasy food, nausea, and bloating; dark yellow, scanty urine; a heavy, sluggish feeling in the body.

Tongue: Red body with redder sides, thick yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Wiry, slippery, rapid.

Treatment principle: Clear Damp-Heat from the Gallbladder, harmonize the Shaoyang.

G.B.-34 ↓ LR-3 ↓ EX-LE-6 (Dannang) ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match with Damp-Heat in the Gall Bladder and Liver.

2. Liver Qi Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Distending or bloating pain under the right rib or in the epigastrium, worse with emotional stress or frustration; frequent sighing and chest tightness; irritability and mood swings.

Tongue: Normal or slightly dark body, red or slightly purple sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry, taut like a guitar string.

Treatment principle: Spread Liver-Qi, resolve constraint, move Qi and alleviate pain.

LR-3 ↓ LR-14 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match with Liver-Qi stagnation.

3. Toxic-Heat

Clinical manifestations: Severe, fixed hypochondriac pain; high fever with chills; deep yellow jaundice; constipation and dark, scanty urine; restlessness and irritability; pain worse with pressure.

Tongue: Deep red (crimson) body with dry yellow coating, possibly prickly. Pulse: Rapid and forceful, often wiry.

Treatment principle: Clear intense Heat and toxins, drain Fire, resolve toxicity.

BL-19 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓ LR-3 ↓ ST-36 ⊥

Note: no moxa. No deck on this site has a Toxic-Heat/Fire-poison category, so no pattern link is given here.

4. Liver Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A dull, burning ache below the ribs; dry, gritty eyes or blurred vision; night sweats; five-centre heat (palms, soles, chest); dry mouth and throat; irritability and restless sleep.

Tongue: Red, thin body, redder sides, dry surface, little or no coating. Pulse: Wiry, fine, rapid.

Treatment principle: Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin, soothe the Liver and regulate Qi.

BL-18 ↑ BL-23 ↑ SP-6 ↑ LR-3 ⊥ KI-6 ↑

Note: no moxa. Direct match with Liver-Yin deficiency.

Related conditions

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