Loss of Voice

How Chinese medicine differentiates loss of voice (aphonia) into the five patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's own Laryngitis and Hoarse Voice 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. Voice loss lasting more than three weeks, or with difficulty breathing or swallowing, needs prompt medical evaluation before assuming a simple pattern.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for loss of voice — 10 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
L.I.-4	Expels exterior Wind and releases the Exterior. Benefits the eyes, nose, ears and mouth.
LU-7	Promotes the descending and diffusing of Lung-Qi. Releases the Exterior and expels exterior Wind.
LU-11	Expels exterior Wind. Stimulates the diffusing and descending of Lung-Qi. Benefits the throat.
G.B.-20	Expels exterior and interior Wind. Clears Heat.
REN-23	Benefits the tongue and speech. Subdues rebellious Qi.
BL-13	Stimulates the diffusing and descending of Lung-Qi. Tonifies Lung-Qi.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen. Tonifies Qi and Blood.
ST-40	Resolves Phlegm and Dampness. Opens the chest and subdues rebellious Qi.
REN-22	Stimulates the descending of Lung-Qi. Resolves Phlegm. Benefits the throat and voice.
SP-10	Cools Blood. Invigorates Blood and eliminates stasis.
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi. Invigorates Blood.

The Five Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Wind-Heat Invading the Lungs View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Sudden hoarseness or complete voice loss, sore, red, or swollen throat, fever more prominent than chills, thirst and dry mouth, yellow nasal discharge.

Tongue: Red tip, thin yellow coating, body slightly red. Pulse: Floating and rapid.

Treatment principle: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears Lung-Heat, restores the Lung's diffusing and descending functions.

L.I.-4 ↓ LU-7 ↓ LU-11 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓

Note: no moxa. Matched to this site's own Invasion-of-Lungs-by-Wind-Heat slide.

2. Wind-Cold Invading the Lungs View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Sudden hoarseness or complete voice loss, chills more prominent than fever, clear watery nasal discharge, no sweating.

Tongue: Normal or slightly pale with thin white moist coating. Pulse: Floating and tight, like a taut rope felt at the surface.

Treatment principle: Disseminates Lung-Qi, releases the Exterior, stops cough.

LU-7 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ REN-23 ⊥

Note: moxa applicable given the Cold signs. Matched to this site's own Invasion-of-Lungs-by-Wind-Cold slide.

3. Lung Qi Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Low, weak voice that tires easily, reluctance to speak, shortness of breath worsened by exertion, spontaneous daytime sweating, pale complexion and fatigue, sensitivity to wind and frequent colds.

Tongue: Pale, tender body with possible teeth marks, thin white coating. Pulse: Weak, especially at the right Cun (Lung) position.

Treatment principle: Tonifies Lung-Qi, consolidates the Exterior, astringes the Lungs and stops cough.

LU-7 ↑ BL-13 ↑ ST-36 ↑

Note: moxa strongly indicated on BL-13/ST-36. Direct exact-name match with this site's own Lung-Qi-deficiency slide.

4. Damp-Phlegm View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Sensation of phlegm stuck in the throat, voice sounds muffled or hoarse, copious white phlegm easy to cough up, heaviness in the body and limbs.

Tongue: Pale, swollen body with teeth marks, thick white greasy coating, wet surface. Pulse: Slippery.

Treatment principle: Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm, regulates Qi, harmonizes the Middle Burner, directs rebellious Qi downward.

ST-40 ↓ ST-36 ⊥ REN-22 ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match with this site's own Damp-Phlegm-in-the-Lungs slide.

5. Qi and Blood Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Long-standing hoarseness or voice loss, vocal cord nodules or thickening on examination, fixed stabbing sensation in the throat or chest, chest tightness, irritability or mood swings.

Tongue: Dark purple body with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry and choppy, like a knife scraping bamboo.

Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood, removes stagnation, moves Liver-Qi.

SP-10 ↓ LR-3 ↓ REN-23 ⊥ L.I.-4 ⊥

Note: no moxa; vocal cord nodules seen on examination need ENT follow-up regardless. Direct match with this site's own Liver-Blood-stasis slide via the established discoloration-marker rule.

Related conditions

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