Varicocele

How Chinese medicine differentiates varicocele, the four 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. A visible or rapidly enlarging scrotal mass, or infertility concerns, should be assessed medically alongside any acupuncture care.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for varicocele — 9 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, invigorates Blood.
LR-14	Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, harmonizes Liver and Stomach.
L.I.-4	Removes obstructions from the channel, stops pain, harmonizes ascending and descending Qi.
Ren-4	Nourishes Blood and Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys and Original Qi.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen, resolves Dampness, moves Blood and eliminates stasis.
SP-9	Regulates the Spleen, resolves Dampness, benefits the Lower Burner.
Ren-3	Resolves Dampness from the Lower Burner. Promotes the Bladder function of Qi transformation.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood.
Ren-6	Tonifies Qi and Yang, raises sinking Qi.
Du-20	Raises sinking Yang, benefits the Brain.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Liver Qi Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Distension or dragging ache in the scrotum, worse with emotional stress; irritability; sighing; rib-side fullness.

Tongue: Normal to slightly dark body, red/purple sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry, like a taut guitar string.

Treatment principle: Move stuck Liver-Qi along the channel to restore circulation.

LR-3 ↓ LR-14 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match with Liver-Qi stagnation — distension, irritability and a Wiry pulse are shared.

2. Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Cold, cramping pain in the scrotum or lower abdomen that improves with warmth; scrotal contraction; cold extremities; lower belly coldness.

Tongue: Pale body, white slippery coating. Pulse: Deep, wiry, slow or tight.

Treatment principle: Expel Cold, move Qi and Blood, warm the channel.

Warm and disperse the channel

LR-3 ↓

Warm the root

Ren-4 ↑

Note: moxa applicable throughout. Direct match with Stagnation of Cold in the Liver channel — scrotal contraction and pain referring to the groin are named symptoms there.

3. Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Scrotal heaviness and distension with dampness or itching; burning sensation; dark, scanty urine; afternoon heat sensation.

Tongue: Red body, yellow greasy coating, thickest at the root. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and drain Dampness from the lower region.

SP-6 ↓ SP-9 ↓ Ren-3 ↓ LR-3 ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match with Damp-Heat in the Bladder.

4. Spleen Qi Sinking View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Dull, dragging ache with a bearing-down sensation in the lower abdomen; chronic fatigue; poor appetite; loose stools; dizziness, worse with standing or exertion.

Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender, teeth marks, thin white coat. Pulse: Weak and thready.

Treatment principle: Tonify Spleen-Qi and lift sinking energy.

ST-36 ↑ Ren-6 ↑ Du-20 ↑ SP-6 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Spleen-Qi sinking.

Related conditions

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