Wrist Pain

How Chinese medicine differentiates wrist pain — distinct from Wrist Tenosynovitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome already covered — as a Painful Obstruction (Bi Syndrome), 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. Wrist pain after a fall, with visible deformity, or with numbness spreading up the arm needs medical evaluation before assuming it is a simple soft-tissue pattern.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for wrist pain — 8 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
L.I.-4	Command point, moves Qi and stops pain in the upper limbs.
T.B.-5	Opens the Yang Linking Vessel, unblocks wrist channels.
SP-10	Sea of Blood, invigorates Blood and removes stagnation.
T.B.-4	Local wrist point, warms Yang Qi, clears Cold-Damp obstruction.
ST-36	Strengthens the Spleen to resolve Dampness.
BL-23	Tonifies Kidney Essence, strengthens bones.
BL-18	Nourishes Liver Blood, benefits the sinews.
L.I.-11	Clears heat and cools Blood in the wrist region.
SP-9	Drains Dampness, supports joint recovery.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Qi And Blood Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Stabbing pain in a fixed spot that worsens with pressure or movement, local swelling or bruising, history of repetitive strain or trauma, relief from gentle mobilization and warm compress.

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

Treatment principle: Invigorate blood and move Qi to break up local stasis.

L.I.-4 ↓ T.B.-5 ↓ SP-10 ↓

Note: no moxa. Matches this site's Liver-Blood stasis slide — a dark purple tongue with stasis spots is the same discoloration marker named there.

2. Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp

Clinical manifestations: Pain worsening in cold, damp, or rainy weather, morning stiffness, heaviness or sensation of swelling without heat or redness, numbness or tingling in wrist and fingers, relief from warmth.

Tongue: Pale, slightly swollen body with teeth marks, white greasy coating, moist surface. Pulse: Wiry and tight, or slow, may feel soggy.

Treatment principle: Expel external pathogens, warm channels, promote circulation.

T.B.-5 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ T.B.-4 ↑ ST-36 ⊥

Note: moxa applicable. No deck on this site has a Wind-Cold-Damp Bi-syndrome category, a confirmed and recurring absence, so no pattern link is given here.

3. Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: Chronic dull ache in wrist, weakness and soreness in lower back and knees, numbness or tingling in hands, worsens with cold/damp weather and overuse, fatigue and pale complexion.

Tongue: Pale and thin with a thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, weak, and slow, especially weak at the Chi position.

Treatment principle: Nourish Liver Blood and Kidney Essence to strengthen tendons and bones.

BL-23 ↑ BL-18 ↑ T.B.-4 ⊥ ST-36 ⊥

Note: moxa applicable on tonifying points. No deck on this site combines Liver and Kidney deficiency into a single Bi-syndrome slide, a confirmed and recurring absence, so no pattern link is given here.

4. Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels

Clinical manifestations: Redness, swelling, and heat in wrist, burning pain worsening with warmth, heavy aching sensation, worsens with hot/humid weather and spicy/greasy food.

Tongue: Red body, possibly slightly swollen, with a yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery and rapid.

Treatment principle: Clear heat and drain dampness from channels.

L.I.-11 ↓ T.B.-5 ↓ SP-9 ↓

Note: no moxa. No deck on this site has a Damp-Heat-in-channels Bi-syndrome category, a confirmed and recurring absence, so no pattern link is given here.

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