Peritonsillar Abscess

How Chinese medicine differentiates peritonsillar abscess into the four patterns described for it, and the points for each. Supportive reading only. Distinct from this site's Tonsillitis and Sore Throat 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. A peritonsillar abscess is a medical emergency that usually needs drainage and antibiotics. Severe one-sided throat pain, difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth, drooling or a muffled voice needs same-day medical care. Acupuncture is at most a supportive adjunct.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for peritonsillar abscess — 3 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. Promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi, regulates the Defensive Qi and sweating. Stops pain.
L.I.-11	Clears Heat and cools Blood. Removes obstructions and Heat from the channel. Resolves Dampness.
LU-11	Expels exterior Wind. Stimulates the diffusing and descending of Lung-Qi. Benefits the throat.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Toxic-Heat Stagnation

Clinical manifestations: Severe throbbing one-sided throat pain; visible pus pocket; high fever with chills; intense thirst for cold drinks; restlessness and irritability.

Tongue: Deep red or crimson with prickly papillae, thick dry yellow coat. Pulse: Rapid, forceful, possibly overflowing.

Treatment principle: Clears Heat, resolves toxin, disperses swelling and promotes drainage of pus.

LU-11 ↓ REN-23 ↓ L.I.-11 ↓ ST-44 ↓

Note: no moxa; LU-11 is bled in classical practice. This site's decks have no standalone Toxic-Heat slide, confirmed absent many times — no pattern link is given here.

2. Wind-Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Sore, red, dry throat; mild fever with chills or aversion to wind; thirst; cough with yellow phlegm.

Tongue: Red tip and edges, thin yellow or white-turning-yellow coat. Pulse: Floating and rapid.

Treatment principle: Disperses Wind-Heat, releases the Exterior and clears throat toxin.

G.B.-20 ↓ T.B.-5 ↓ LU-11 ↓ REN-23 ↓

Note: no moxa.

3. Phlegm-Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Thick, sticky yellow phlegm in the throat; sensation of a lump or obstruction; chest tightness.

Tongue: Red, swollen, thick yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.

Treatment principle: Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm, regulates Qi and descends Lung Qi.

ST-40 ↓ ST-44 ↓ REN-23 ↓

Note: no moxa.

4. Blood Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Fixed stabbing throat pain; a hard nodule or lump; pain worse at night and with pressure.

Tongue: Dark purple with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Choppy, rough and uneven.

Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis, moves Qi, relieves pain and softens nodules.

SP-10 ↓ SP-6 ⊥ REN-23 ⊥

Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Liver-Blood-stasis slide (dark purple tongue with stasis spots).

Related conditions

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