↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method — technique below follows standard Excess/Deficiency treatment principle for each pattern, not tied to a specific point-by-point source.
Clinical manifestations: Sudden, severe, distending facial pain; triggered or worsened by emotional stress; a flushed red face and eyes; a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat; intense irritability, a short temper; 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 with redder sides, dry yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry, Rapid, Forceful.
Treatment principle: Clear Liver-Fire, drain Heat, calm the upward surge that triggers facial pain.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Burning or stabbing facial pain; worse after spicy, greasy or hot meals; foul breath and swollen, bleeding gums; intense thirst for cold drinks; brought on by spicy or fried food, alcohol, or a hot stuffy environment; eased by cool drinks, fresh air, avoiding spicy or fried food, or a cool environment.
Tongue: Red body, possible red prickles at the centre, thick dry yellow coating. Pulse: Rapid, Slippery, Forceful.
Treatment principle: Clear Stomach-Fire, cool the Blood, direct rebellious Qi downward.
Note: no moxa.
3. Phlegm in the Channels, Joints and Muscles
Clinical manifestations: A heavy or numb sensation in the face; fixed, stabbing pain; a feeling of phlegm or mucus in the throat; dull or darkish skin around the painful area; brought on by a diet heavy in greasy or sweet food, damp weather, a sedentary lifestyle, or chronic Spleen weakness feeding Phlegm production; eased by warm, plainly-cooked food, staying active, or a dry warm environment.
Tongue: Purple body with stasis spots, white greasy coating, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Wiry and Choppy, or Wiry and Slippery.
Treatment principle: Move Blood, open the facial collaterals, relieve fixed stabbing pain.
Note: no moxa. No deck slide covers this facial/channel Phlegm presentation, so no pattern link is given here.
4. Blood Stagnation
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain that does not shift location; pain worse at night; pain worse with pressure or touch; a dark or dusky facial complexion; purplish lips or dark circles under the eyes; brought on by an old injury, chronic untreated stagnation, cold exposure constricting circulation, or overexertion; eased by gentle movement, warmth, or gentle massage once the acute pain settles.
Tongue: Dark purple or dusky body with possible stasis spots, dark, thick, twisted sublingual veins. Pulse: Choppy, rough, uneven.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood, dispel stasis, reduce the fixed pain.
Note: no moxa. No deck slide covers this facial/local Blood-stasis presentation, so no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: A mild, burning facial pain that worsens at night; night sweats; a dry mouth and throat with a desire to sip water; a hot sensation in the palms, soles and chest; flushed cheekbones; restlessness and difficulty staying asleep; dry stools or constipation; scanty, dark urine; brought on by ageing, chronic overwork, a long illness, or lack of sleep; eased by rest, cooling hydrating food, avoiding overheating, or a calm evening routine.
Tongue: Red, thin, dry body with cracks, little or no coating. Pulse: Fine, Rapid.
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney-Yin, clear deficiency Heat, calm the upward disturbance of Fire.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency).