Psoriatic Arthritis

How Chinese medicine differentiates psoriatic arthritis as a Painful Obstruction (Bi Syndrome), the three patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Acupuncture only — no herbs, and only as supportive care alongside rheumatology management.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause permanent joint damage without proper medical management; acupuncture here is supportive care for pain and stiffness, not a substitute for that management.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for psoriatic arthritis — 9 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
G.B.-34	Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, benefits the sinews.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood, expels Wind and Damp.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen, resolves Dampness, nourishes Blood and Yin.
Ren-4	Nourishes Blood and Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys and Original Qi.
SP-9	Regulates the Spleen, resolves Dampness.
L.I.-11	Clears Heat and cools Blood, resolves Dampness, benefits the sinews and joints.
L.I.-4	Removes obstructions from the channel, expels Wind, stops pain.
ST-44	Clears Heat, regulates the Intestines.
Du-14	Clears Heat, regulates Nutritive and Defensive Qi.

The Three Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp

Clinical manifestations: Joint pain and stiffness worsening in cold or damp weather; swelling around the joints without redness or heat; heaviness, numbness, or tingling in the limbs; skin plaques pale or light red with thick, dry white scales; an aversion to cold or wind with cold hands and feet.

Tongue: Pale, slightly swollen with teeth marks, white greasy coating. Pulse: Wiry and tight, or soggy and slow.

Treatment principle: Dispel Wind-Dampness, tonify Qi and harmonize the Protective and Nutritive Qi, invigorate Blood and unblock the channels.

Dispel Wind-Damp

G.B.-34 ↓ SP-6 ↓

Tonify and warm

ST-36 ↑ Ren-4 ↑

Note: moxa applicable on the Tonify-and-warm points. No deck on this site has a Wind-Cold-Damp Bi-syndrome category, so no pattern link is given here.

2. Painful Obstruction due to Damp-Heat in the Channels

Clinical manifestations: Joints red, swollen, hot to touch; pain relieved by cold, worsened by warmth; a heavy, aching sensation in the limbs; irritability and restlessness; thirst with desire to drink.

Tongue: Red body, possibly swollen, yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery and rapid, may feel soggy or wiry at the middle position.

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and dry Dampness, clear Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner, strengthen the Spleen.

ST-36 ↓ SP-9 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓ SP-6 ↓

Note: no moxa. No deck on this site has a Damp-Heat Bi-syndrome category, so no pattern link is given here.

3. Heat Invading the Channels, Joints and Muscles

Clinical manifestations: Joints red, swollen, hot to touch; pain relieved by cold application; fever and thirst for cold drinks; irritability and restlessness; severe, acute joint inflammation.

Tongue: Deep red with yellow coating (greasy or dry), possibly red prickles. Pulse: Rapid and slippery, may feel overflowing and forceful at the Guan positions.

Treatment principle: Clear Heat from the Qi level, generate fluids, unblock the channels and collaterals.

L.I.-11 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ ST-44 ↓ Du-14 ↓

Note: no moxa. No deck on this site has an acute Heat-invading-the-channels Bi-syndrome category distinct from Damp-Heat, so no pattern link is given here.

Related conditions

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