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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

How Chinese medicine differentiates obsessive-compulsive disorder, the six patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Acupuncture only — no herbs, and only as supportive care alongside psychological/psychiatric management.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. OCD is best managed with therapy (such as ERP/CBT) and, where needed, medication; acupuncture here is supportive care, not a substitute for that management.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for obsessive-compulsive disorder — 9 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
LR-3Subdues Liver-Yang, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, invigorates Blood.
L.I.-4Removes obstructions from the channel, calms the Mind.
P-6Opens the chest, moves Qi and Blood, calms the Mind.
LR-2Drains Liver-Fire, subdues Liver-Yang, calms the Mind.
HE-7Calms the Mind and opens the Mind's orifices, nourishes Heart-Blood.
P-7Calms the Mind, clears Heat and Toxic Heat.
Du-20Raises Yang, benefits the Brain, lifts the Mind.
ST-40Resolves Phlegm and Dampness, calms the Mind and opens the Mind's orifices.
Ren-12Tonifies Stomach and Spleen, resolves Dampness and Phlegm, calms the Mind.
SP-6Strengthens the Spleen, nourishes Blood and Yin, calms the Mind.
BL-15Calms the Mind, nourishes the Heart, regulates Heart-Qi and invigorates Blood.
KI-3Tonifies the Kidneys (Yin and Yang), benefits Essence.
The Six Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method.

1. Liver Qi Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A feeling of being stuck in repetitive thought loops; tension or distension along the ribs; frequent sighing; irritability and mood swings, worse with emotional stress.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark body, red/purple sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry, like a taut guitar string.
Treatment principle: Smooth Liver-Qi, relieve rib distension, calm emotional irritability.
LR-3 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ P-6 ↓
Note: no moxa. Direct match with Liver-Qi stagnation.

2. Liver Qi Stagnation Transforming into Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Explosive irritability and anger; restlessness and agitation; a bitter taste in the mouth; a throbbing headache at the temples; a red face and eyes; distending pain in the ribcage.
Tongue: Red body with redder sides, yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry and rapid, forceful.
Treatment principle: Soothe Liver-Qi stagnation, clear Heat, calm the Mind.
LR-3 ↓ LR-2 ↓ HE-7 ↓
Note: no moxa. Direct match with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Heat.

3. Heart Fire Blazing View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Palpitations and a fluttering sensation in the chest; mental restlessness and agitation; mouth or tongue ulcers with red, painful edges; a red, flushed face and feeling of heat; insomnia with vivid, disturbing dreams.
Tongue: Red body with a markedly redder tip, red prickles, dry yellow coating. Pulse: Rapid, forceful, overflowing.
Treatment principle: Directly drain Heart-Fire, cool Blood, calm the disturbed spirit.
HE-7 ↓ P-6 ↓ P-7 ↓ Du-20 ⊥
Note: no moxa. Direct match with Heart-Fire blazing.

4. Phlegm Misting the Heart

Clinical manifestations: Mental fog or dullness; persistent, intrusive thoughts that feel stuck; a stuffy, oppressed feeling in the chest; excessive saliva or nausea; a blank staring expression.
Tongue: Pale, swollen body with thick white greasy coating, a stiff or sluggish movement. Pulse: Slippery, like beads rolling.
Treatment principle: Sweep Phlegm, open the Heart orifice, restore mental clarity.
ST-40 ↓ Ren-12 ↓ HE-7 ↓ P-6 ↓
Note: no moxa. This site's \"Phlegm misting the Mind\" slide is framed around acute unconsciousness and incoherent speech, not the chronic mental-fog/intrusive-thought picture named here, so no pattern link is given here.

5. Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Palpitations or pounding in the chest when anxious; insomnia with excessive vivid dreaming; a pale, dull complexion and brittle, ridged nails; dizziness and numbness/tingling in the hands and feet; obsessive thoughts worsening with fatigue.
Tongue: Pale, possibly thin body, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, weak, possibly choppy.
Treatment principle: Nourish Liver and Heart Blood, anchor the spirit.
HE-7 ↑ SP-6 ↑ LR-3 ⊥ BL-15 ↑
Note: moxa applicable on the Tonify points. Direct match with Liver- and Heart-Blood deficiency.

6. Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Forgetfulness and poor concentration; night sweats; heat in the palms, soles and chest; dry eyes with blurred vision; dizziness and ringing in the ears; insomnia with vivid, restless dreams.
Tongue: Red, thin body with cracks, little or no coating, dry surface. Pulse: Fine, rapid, often wiry.
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney and Liver Yin, quiet Empty-Fire, anchor the Mind.
KI-3 ↑ SP-6 ↑ HE-7 ⊥
Note: no moxa. Direct match with Kidney- and Liver-Yin deficiency.
Related conditions
Anxiety Depression

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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.