Groin Pain

How Chinese medicine differentiates groin pain, 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 groin bulge, especially one that is painful, hard, or won't reduce, needs prompt medical evaluation to rule out a strangulated hernia.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for groin pain — 7 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
Du-20	Raises Yang, lifts sinking organs.
Ren-6	Tonifies Qi and Yang, raises sinking Qi.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood.
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, invigorates Blood.
G.B.-34	Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, benefits the sinews.
Ren-4	Nourishes Blood and Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys and Original Qi.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen, resolves Dampness, nourishes Blood and Yin.
ST-29	Invigorates Blood in the Uterus and Lower Burner, lifts Qi.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Spleen Qi Sinking View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A dragging or bearing-down sensation in the groin; a hernia bulge that worsens with standing or fatigue; chronic fatigue and exhaustion; poor appetite and loose stools; shortness of breath and reluctance to speak.

Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender with teeth marks, thin white coating. Pulse: Weak, especially at the right middle position, may feel deep.

Treatment principle: Tonify the Spleen's lifting capacity and raise descending Qi.

Du-20 ↑ Ren-6 ↑ ST-36 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Spleen-Qi sinking.

2. Liver Qi Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Distending, pulling pain in the groin; pain worse with emotional stress or anger; frequent sighing and mood swings; a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen or flanks.

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

Treatment principle: Smooth hepatic Qi flow and relieve accumulated tension along the channel.

LR-3 ↓ Ren-6 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓

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

3. Cold-Dampness in the Lower Burner View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Cold, heavy, fixed pain in the groin, worse with cold or damp weather; a cold sensation in the lower abdomen and limbs; a heavy dragging feeling in the pelvis; a dull, aching lower back pain; swelling in the lower legs.

Tongue: Pale, swollen body with teeth marks, thick white greasy coating, excessively moist. Pulse: Deep, slow, soggy, especially weak in the rear positions.

Treatment principle: Warm and dry to counteract congealing Cold and resolve obstructive Dampness.

Ren-4 ↑ Ren-6 ↑ ST-36 ↑ LR-3 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Bladder Deficient and Cold.

4. Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Burning pain in the groin; swelling and redness; a bitter taste in the mouth; dark, scanty urine; a moist or itchy scrotum.

Tongue: Red body with red sides, yellow greasy coating thicker at the centre and root. Pulse: Wiry, slippery, rapid.

Treatment principle: Clear inflammatory Heat and resolve excess moisture while regulating hepatic circulation.

LR-3 ↓ SP-6 ↓ ST-36 ⊥ ST-29 ↓

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

Related conditions

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