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Tinnitus

How Chinese medicine differentiates tinnitus, the six patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. 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. Tinnitus in only one ear, tinnitus with hearing loss or dizziness that came on suddenly, or tinnitus following a head injury needs medical/ENT evaluation.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for tinnitus — 15 key points, used across most of the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
KI-3Tonifies the Kidneys (Yin and Yang), strengthens Essence.
BL-23Tonifies the Kidneys, nourishes Kidney-Essence, strengthens the lower back.
T.B.-21Benefits the ears, expels Wind.
LIV-3Subdues Liver-Yang, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
LIV-2Drains Liver-Fire, subdues Liver-Yang, cools Blood.
G.B.-20Expels exterior Wind, subdues Liver-Yang, clears Heat, benefits the head.
ST-36Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood.
S.I.-19Local point for the ear; used for tinnitus, deafness, ear discharge and ear pain, particularly for Deficiency-type tinnitus.
Du-20Raises Yang, benefits the Brain, lifts the Mind.
ST-40Resolves Phlegm and Dampness, opens the chest, subdues rebellious Qi.
G.B.-34Removes obstructions from the channel, relaxes the sinews, resolves Dampness.
ST-44Clears Heat, regulates the Intestines, resolves Damp-Heat, calms the Mind.
G.B.-2Removes obstructions from the channel, expels exterior Wind, benefits the ears.
T.B.-17Expels Wind, benefits the ears.
L.I.-4Expels exterior Wind, releases the Exterior, stops pain.
The Six Patterns

reinforcing   reducing   even method — technique below follows standard Excess/Deficiency treatment principle for each pattern, not tied to a specific point-by-point source.

1. Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Soft, high-pitched, cicada-like tinnitus that is worse at night; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; dizziness; dry eyes and blurred vision; brought on by ageing, chronic overwork, excessive sexual activity, or lack of sleep; eased by rest, avoiding stimulants in the evening, or a calm quiet environment before bed.
Tongue: Red, thin, cracked body, little or no coating, dry. Pulse: Thin, Rapid, Wiry, weak in the left Chi (Kidney) position.
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney and Liver Yin, subdue Empty-Heat, open the ear orifices.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency).

2. Liver Fire Blazing View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Loud ringing like rushing water or a roaring tide; worse with anger and frustration; a bitter taste in the mouth; a flushed red face and bloodshot eyes; irritability and a quick temper; a throbbing headache at the temples or crown; brought on by anger and frustration, alcohol, spicy or greasy food, or overwork and lack of sleep; eased by cooling food and drinks, a calm environment, avoiding alcohol, or deep breathing.
Tongue: Red body, redder at the sides, dry yellow coating, sometimes red prickles. Pulse: Wiry, Rapid, Forceful, especially at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Drain excess Liver and Gall Bladder Fire, clear Damp-Heat, quiet the ears.
Note: no moxa.

3. Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A fine, low-pitched, mosquito-like humming; worse with fatigue and after eating; poor appetite and bloating after meals; a sallow or pale complexion; weak limbs; loose, poorly-formed stools; brought on by irregular meals or overeating, cold raw food and drinks, overthinking and worry, or overwork; eased by warm cooked food, regular mealtimes, rest after meals, or gentle exercise.
Tongue: Pale, slightly puffy body with tooth marks on the edges, thin white coating. Pulse: Weak, Soft, Empty at the right middle (Guan) position.
Treatment principle: Tonify Spleen and Stomach, augment Qi, lift clear Yang to the head.
Note: moxa applicable.

4. Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm-Heat

Clinical manifestations: Muffled, heavy tinnitus with a sense of fullness in the ear; the ear feels stuffed, full, or blocked; a bitter taste, nausea, or vomiting; restless sleep with vivid, disturbing dreams; easily startled or frightened; chest tightness and frequent sighing; brought on by spicy or greasy food, alcohol, stress and suppressed emotions, or a diet heavy in sweet or fatty food; eased by cooling food and drinks, avoiding alcohol and greasy food, gentle exercise, or a calm environment.
Tongue: Red body, yellow greasy coating, sometimes redder at the sides. Pulse: Wiry, Slippery, possibly Rapid.
Treatment principle: Regulate Qi, transform Phlegm, clear Gall Bladder and Stomach Heat, dry Dampness.
Note: no moxa. No deck slide combines this exact Gallbladder-Stomach Phlegm-Heat picture, so no pattern link is given here.

5. Liver-Qi Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Tinnitus that is worse with anger, frustration, or emotional stress; distension or bloating in the chest and along the ribs; frequent sighing; irritability, a quick temper, or mood swings; brought on by stress and frustration, suppressed emotions, a sedentary lifestyle, or overwork; eased by gentle exercise, deep breathing, talking through emotions, or a calm environment.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark body, red or slightly purple sides, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, taut like a guitar string, especially at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Course the Liver, resolve constraint, move Qi, alleviate pain.
Note: no moxa.

6. Wind-Heat

Clinical manifestations: Acute onset after catching a cold; the ear feels stuffed, full, or blocked; a sore throat and mildly red eyes; nasal congestion with yellow or thick discharge; a mild fever or aversion to wind; slight sweating that doesn't relieve the fever; brought on by sudden exposure to Wind-Heat, a weakened immune state, or close contact with someone unwell; eased by rest, cool drinks, fresh air, or a light diaphoretic tea.
Tongue: Red tip and edges, thin yellow or early-stage white coating. Pulse: Floating, Rapid.
Treatment principle: Disperse Wind-Heat, clear Heat, resolve toxicity.
Note: no moxa. The site's "Wind-Heat Invading the Lungs" slide is built around cough and respiratory symptoms with no ear involvement, so it isn't a close enough match to link here.
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