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Wrist Tenosynovitis

How Chinese medicine differentiates wrist tenosynovitis 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. Persistent swelling, deformity, or symptoms not improving with rest should be assessed medically alongside any acupuncture care.
General Acupuncture Points

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

PointKey action
L.I.-4Moves Qi and stops pain in the upper limbs.
LU-5Local point to relieve wrist pain, clears Lung-Heat.
SP-10Invigorates Blood and removes stagnation.
L.I.-11Clears Heat and Dampness from the whole body.
T.B.-5Opens the channel in the wrist area, expels Wind-Dampness.
SP-9Drains Dampness from the Lower Burner, supports the Spleen.
BL-23Tonifies Kidney Essence.
BL-18Nourishes Liver-Blood.
ST-36Tonifies Qi and Blood.
SP-6Tonifies Yin and Blood.
L.I.-10Local point to relieve wrist pain, removes obstructions from the channel.
The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method.

1. Qi and Blood Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain at the wrist; a palpable nodule or swelling, worse with movement; dark or purple spots on the tongue; irritability or emotional tension.
Tongue: Dark purple body with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry and choppy.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood and dispel stasis, move Qi and alleviate pain.
L.I.-4 ↓ LU-5 ↓ SP-10 ↓
Note: no moxa. Matches Liver-Blood stasis — a dark purple tongue with stasis spots is the same discoloration marker named there.

2. Painful Obstruction due to Damp-Heat in the Channels

Clinical manifestations: Redness and heat around the wrist; swelling that feels hot; pain relieved by cold, worsened by warmth; a heavy aching in the arm; irritability, thirst, dark urine.
Tongue: Red body, possibly slightly swollen, yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery and rapid, possibly soggy or wiry.
Treatment principle: Clear Heat and drain Dampness, unblock channels and collaterals.
L.I.-11 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ T.B.-5 ↓ SP-9 ↓
Note: no moxa. No deck on this site has a Damp-Heat Bi-syndrome category, so no pattern link is given here.

3. Damp-Wind

Clinical manifestations: Wandering wrist pain that may shift to other joints; a heavy, swollen sensation; pain worse in damp or windy weather.
Tongue: Normal or slightly swollen body, white greasy coating, moist surface. Pulse: Floating and slippery, or floating and moderate.
Treatment principle: Disperse Wind, drain Dampness, alleviate pain.
L.I.-4 ↓ T.B.-5 ↓ SP-9 ↓
Note: no moxa. No deck on this site has a Damp-Wind Bi-syndrome category, so no pattern link is given here.

4. Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: A chronic dull ache in the wrist; stiffness and limited range of motion; a weak grip and muscle atrophy around the wrist; pain worse in cold or damp weather; lower back and knee soreness.
Tongue: Pale, thin body, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, weak, slow, especially weak at the Chi position.
Treatment principle: Dispel Wind-Dampness, relieve the obstruction, supplement Liver and Kidneys.
Supplement Liver and Kidneys
BL-23 ↑ BL-18 ↑ ST-36 ↑ SP-6 ↑
Local channel point
L.I.-10 ⊥
Note: moxa applicable on the tonifying points. No deck on this site combines Liver and Kidney deficiency into a single Bi-syndrome slide, so no pattern link is given here.
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Acupuncture-only reference — structure adapted (not text) from how other condition-lookup sites organize this kind of content. Let us know what to add or change.