Tetanus

A bacterial toxin illness causing progressive muscle rigidity and spasm, entering through a wound and staged in TCM from Exterior Wind to Blood-Deficiency Wind.

Educational information only, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for tetanus — 4 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
LIV-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Extinguishes interior Wind. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
G.B.-20	Expels exterior Wind. Extinguishes interior Wind. Subdues Liver-Yang.
L.I.-4	Expels exterior Wind and releases the Exterior. Promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi, regulates the Defensive Qi and sweating. Stops pain.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness. Promotes the function of the Liver and the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.

The Three Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Exterior Wind

Clinical manifestations: Locked jaw (trismus), mild muscle spasms, recent wound or injury.

Tongue: R Pulse: e

Treatment principle: normal body with thin white coating,string-like and tight

L.I.-4 ⊥ G.B.-20 ⊥ LIV-3 ↓

2. Toxic-Heat

Clinical manifestations: High fever, severe muscle rigidity and spasms, back arching violently (opisthotonos), intense thirst with desire for cold drinks, restlessness and irritability.

Tongue: C Pulse: l

Treatment principle: red body with prickly thorns, dry yellow coating,rapid and forceful, often wiry

L.I.-4 ↓ LIV-3 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓

3. Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due to Liver Blood Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Fine trembling of the hands and feet, muscle twitching or fasciculation, numbness and tingling of the limbs, dizziness and blurred vision, pale or sallow complexion, brittle ridged nails.

Tongue: N Pulse: o

Treatment principle: pale, thin, trembling body with thin white coating,fine and wiry

LIV-3 ↑ SP-6 ↑ ST-36 ↑ G.B.-20 ⊥

Related conditions

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