↑ 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. Qi and Blood Stagnation
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing, needle-like jaw pain that worsens with stress and clenching; irritability and emotional tension; brought on by chronic stress, teeth grinding, an old injury, or prolonged clenching; eased by gentle jaw stretching, warmth, stress reduction, or gentle massage.
Tongue: Purple or dark body with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, Choppy.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood, dispel stasis, restore channel flow.
Note: no moxa.
2. Wind Invading the Channels, Joints and Muscles
Clinical manifestations: Pain that shifts around the jaw or face; stiffness and limited jaw opening; symptoms worse with wind, drafts, or cold; an acute onset after exposure; mild chills or cold sensitivity; brought on by sudden exposure to cold wind or drafts on the face, air-conditioning, or sudden weather changes; eased by warmth and covering the face, a warm compress, gentle jaw movement, or moxibustion.
Tongue: Normal, light red body, thin white coating (possibly slightly greasy). Pulse: Floating, possibly Tight.
Treatment principle: Dispel Wind-Cold, release the Exterior, unblock the channels.
Note: moxa applicable.
3. Painful Obstruction Due to Damp-Heat in Channels
Clinical manifestations: A swollen, hot jaw joint; a heavy, aching sensation; limited jaw opening; pain relieved by cold but worsened by warmth; thirst; irritability and restlessness; brought on by hot humid weather, spicy or greasy food, alcohol, or an acute flare of a chronic jaw problem; eased by cool compresses, cooling food and drinks, rest, or avoiding heat on the area.
Tongue: Red body, possibly slightly swollen, yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery, Rapid.
Treatment principle: Clear Damp-Heat from the channels, reduce swelling.
Note: no moxa.
4. Qi and Blood Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: A dull, aching or tired jaw pain; worse with fatigue or overuse; pale lips, nail beds and complexion; general weakness and poor appetite; brought on by overwork, chronic illness, poor diet, or a long recovery from injury; eased by rest, warm nourishing food, gentle graded exercise, or moxibustion.
Tongue: Pale body, thin or tooth-marked, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, Weak, lacking force.
Treatment principle: Tonify Qi and Blood to nourish the jaw muscles and joints.
Note: moxa applicable on ST-36.
5. Liver-Blood and Kidney-Essence Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: Dull, aching jaw pain; weakness that is worse with fatigue; soreness in the lower back and weak knees; dizziness and blurred vision; loose teeth; tinnitus; scanty menstruation in women; brought on by ageing, chronic overwork, a long illness, or excessive strain; eased by rest, warm nourishing food, gentle strengthening exercise, or moxibustion.
Tongue: Pale, thin body with possible fine cracks, thin white or scanty coating, slightly dry. Pulse: Deep, Fine, Weak.
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney-Essence and Liver-Blood to strengthen the bones and sinews.
Note: moxa applicable on the tonifying points.
Clinical manifestations: A dull, aching jaw pain; worse after eating or when fatigued; poor appetite and bloating; loose or poorly formed stools; fatigue and weak, heavy limbs; a sallow or pale complexion; brought on by irregular meals or overeating, overwork, poor diet, or chronic Spleen weakness; eased by warm cooked food, regular mealtimes, rest, or gentle exercise.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth-marked body, thin white coating. Pulse: Weak, Soft, especially empty at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Strengthen Spleen and Stomach Qi to rebuild nourishment for the jaw muscles.
Note: moxa applicable on the tonifying points.