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Hydronephrosis

Swelling of a kidney from blocked urine drainage, treated in TCM by clearing the obstruction and restoring the Kidney and Bladder’s control of water.

Educational information only, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for hydronephrosis — 4 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
SP-9Regulates the Spleen. Resolves Dampness. Opens the Water passages.
BL-23Tonifies the Kidneys and nourishes the Kidney-Essence. Consolidates Kidney-Qi. Strengthens the lower back.
REN-3Resolves Dampness from the Lower Burner. Promotes the Bladder function of Qi transformation. Benefits the Uterus and regulates menstruation.
SP-6Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness. Promotes the function of the Liver and the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
The Five Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method.

1. Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Cold limbs, scanty pale urination, ankle and lower back swelling, profound fatigue, a pale bright complexion.
Tongue: W Pulse: a
Treatment principle: pale, swollen body with wet white coating,deep, slow, and weak
BL-23 ↑ REN-9 ↓ KI-7 ↓

2. Damp-Heat in the Bladder View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Burning, painful urination, dark cloudy urine, lower abdominal fullness, fever, thirst without much desire to drink.
Tongue: C Pulse: l
Treatment principle: red body with yellow greasy coating,slippery and rapid
BL-28 ↓ SP-9 ↓ SP-6 ↓

3. Spleen Deficiency with Dampness

Clinical manifestations: Fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools, urinary difficulty, a feeling of heaviness in the body.
Tongue: S Pulse: t
Treatment principle: pale, swollen body with teeth marks, white greasy coating,soggy and weak
ST-36 ↑ SP-9 ↓ SP-6 ↑

4. Qi and Blood Stagnation

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing flank pain, dark or blood-tinged urine, irritability, a feeling of distension.
Tongue: M Pulse: o
Treatment principle: purple or dusky body with stasis spots,wiry and choppy
SP-10 ↓ LIV-3 ↓ REN-3 ⊥

5. Cold-Dampness in the Lower Burner

Clinical manifestations: A cold pelvic sensation, a heavy dragging feeling, pale copious urination, aching of the lower back.
Tongue: W Pulse: a
Treatment principle: pale body with white slippery coating,deep and slow
REN-3 ⊥ SP-9 ↓ BL-23 ↑
Related conditions
Kidney Stones Urinary Tract Infection Chronic Kidney Disease Edema Polycystic Kidney Disease

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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.