Thoracic Strain

How Chinese medicine approaches a thoracic (chest and mid-back) strain — the one pattern described for it, and its points. Distinct from this site's Costochondritis, Rib Pain and Upper Back Pain 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. Chest or rib pain after a fall or blow, with breathlessness, or pain that could be cardiac, needs medical assessment first to rule out fracture, pneumothorax or heart disease.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for thoracic strain — 3 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. Resolves Damp-Heat in Liver and Gall Bladder. Benefits the sinews.
LIV-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Extinguishes interior Wind. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen. Tonifies Qi and Blood. Tonifies the Original Qi.

The One Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Qi and Blood Stagnation

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain in the chest or ribs; a distending or bloating sensation; irritability and oppression; pain worse with pressure, deep breathing, twisting and cold or damp weather; dark or purplish complexion and lips.

Tongue: Dark purple with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry and choppy.

Treatment principle: Invigorates Qi and Blood, clears stagnation from the chest and upper-back channels, courses the Liver and unblocks the collaterals.

G.B.-34 ↓ LIV-3 ↓ ST-36 ↑

Note: no moxa in the acute phase. No combined Qi-and-Blood-stagnation slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.

Related conditions

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