Myasthenia Gravis

How Chinese medicine differentiates myasthenia gravis — distinct from Drooping Eyelids (Ptosis), Muscle Atrophy and Weak Limbs already covered — the three patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Acupuncture only — no herbs, used as supportive care alongside ongoing neurological management, never as a substitute for it.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular condition that requires ongoing medical management (any new or worsening breathing or swallowing difficulty needs immediate medical attention, as it can signal a myasthenic crisis); acupuncture here is supportive only, alongside that care.

General Acupuncture Points

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

Point	Key action
DU-20	Raises Yang. Benefits the Brain and sense organs.
ST-36	Main point to tonify Spleen-Qi and strengthen the limbs.
REN-6	Tonifies Original Qi and helps lift the sinking.
SP-6	Supports Spleen-Qi and nourishes the muscles.
LR-3	Soothes the Liver and nourishes Liver-Blood, steadies vision and calms dizziness.
BL-23	Tonifies Kidney-Yin and strengthens the lower back.
KI-3	Source point of the Kidney channel; directly replenishes Kidney-Yin and Essence.
SP-9	Primary point to drain Dampness from the body, especially the lower limbs.
ST-40	Transforms Phlegm and Dampness, clearing obstruction in the channels.
ST-44	Clears Heat from the Stomach, reducing sticky taste and digestive discomfort.

The Three Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Spleen-Qi Sinking View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Drooping eyelids worsening as the day progresses, weak heavy limbs improving with rest, poor appetite, loose stools, bearing-down abdominal sensation, afternoon fatigue.

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

Treatment principle: Tonify the Middle and augment Qi, raise sunken Yang.

DU-20 ↑ ST-36 ↑ REN-6 ↑ SP-6 ↑

Note: moxa applicable throughout. Direct exact-name match with this site's own Spleen-Qi-sinking slide.

2. Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Double vision and drooping eyelids worsening with fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus, dry eyes, blurred vision, dry mouth at night, lower back and knee soreness, night sweats with heat in palms and chest, insomnia with vivid dreams.

Tongue: Red, thin body with cracks, little or no coating, dry surface. Pulse: Fine, rapid, and wiry, left Chi especially weak.

Treatment principle: Nourish Yin, descend deficiency Fire, strengthen sinews and bones.

LR-3 ↑ BL-23 ↑ KI-3 ↑ SP-6 ↑

Note: no moxa given the Yin deficiency. Direct exact-name match with this site's own Kidney-and-Liver-Yin-deficiency slide.

3. Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Heavy limb sensation as if carrying weights, sticky or bitter mouth taste, bloating and fullness after eating, loose sticky incomplete bowel movements.

Tongue: Red body, possibly swollen with teeth marks, thick yellow greasy coating especially at the center and root. Pulse: Soggy, rapid, and slippery.

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and drain Dampness, regulate Qi and harmonize the middle burner.

ST-36 ↓ SP-9 ↓ ST-40 ↓ ST-44 ↓

Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's Damp-Heat-invading-the-Spleen slide — the source names this pattern \"Stomach and Spleen\" combined, while this site's deck carries a Spleen-specific slide; the heaviness/appetite/bloating/loose-stools presentation matches closely enough to link with this naming nuance flagged.

Related conditions

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