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Swollen Knee

How Chinese medicine differentiates a swollen knee into the four patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Knee Pain and Cold Knees 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 hot, red, rapidly swollen knee, especially with fever, or swelling after an injury with inability to bear weight, needs urgent medical assessment (infection, fracture, gout or a torn ligament).
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for a swollen knee — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
ST-35Removes obstructions from the channel. Relieves swelling.
SP-10Cools Blood. Invigorates Blood and eliminates stasis. Blood SP-10 SP-9 10 Xuehai
G.B.-34Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi. Resolves Damp-Heat in Liver and Gall Bladder. Benefits the sinews.
The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method.

1. Qi and Blood Stagnation

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing knee pain worse with pressure; swelling without redness; distending sensation; irritability; worse with prolonged standing, cold, damp weather and stress; better with gentle movement and warmth.
Tongue: Dark purple, possible stasis spots, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry and choppy.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood, moves Qi and clears stagnation.
ST-35 ↓ SP-10 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓ LIV-3 ↓
Note: no moxa. No combined Qi-and-Blood-stagnation slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.

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

Clinical manifestations: Red, hot, swollen knee; heavy aching; thirst; irritability; worse with hot, humid weather, spicy or greasy food and alcohol; better with cold compresses and rest.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen, yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat, dries Dampness and drains the Lower Burner.
ST-34 ↓ ST-35 ↓ SP-9 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓
Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent many times — no pattern link is given here.

3. Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp

Clinical manifestations: Cold, heavy sensation; swelling without redness; worse in cold, damp weather and after stillness; improves with warmth and gentle movement; stiffness and limited range.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, tooth-marked, white greasy coat. Pulse: Wiry and tight, or soggy.
Treatment principle: Dispels Wind-Cold-Damp, unblocks the channels and invigorates Blood.
G.B.-34 ↓ ST-35 ↓
Note: moxa is appropriate. This site's decks have no Bi-syndrome slide, confirmed absent many times — no pattern link is given here.

4. Qi and Blood Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: Dull, aching pain; soft swelling without redness; fatigue, weakness and pale face; dizziness; poor appetite; worse with exertion, better with rest and warmth.
Tongue: Pale, thin, possibly tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Fine, weak and empty.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi and Blood, strengthens the Spleen and nourishes the joint.
ST-36 ↑ SP-6 ↑ SP-10 ↑ ST-35 ⊥
Note: moxa is appropriate. No combined Qi-and-Blood-deficiency slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.
Related conditions
Knee Pain Cold Knees Swollen Ankle

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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.