Throat Painaccording to TCM
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Symptom family: Throat & Pharyngeal Inflammations and Pains
Sub-symptom(s): Sore Throat At Night
Did you mean? Sore Throat
What is Throat Pain?
Throat pain, a symptom frequently encountered in clinical practice, manifests as discomfort or a painful sensation in the throat. It's a common issue that can result from various conditions ranging from infections like pharyngitis to environmental irritants. Throat pain can also occur as a sub-symptom of conditions like sore throat at night, which particularly affects patients during the evening hours.
How does TCM View Throat Pain?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers throat pain not merely as a local disturbance but as an indication of disharmony within the body's energetic system. TCM emphasizes identifying the underlying pattern of imbalance—be it Qi Stagnation, invasion of external pathogens, or internal heat—before proceeding with treatment, aiming for a holistic resolution of symptoms.
Root Causes of Throat Pain in TCM
In TCM, throat pain is often seen as a manifestation of Heat, where conditions like Full-Heat in the Small Intestine or Toxic-Heat Stagnation cause pain and discomfort. This Heat can arise from an imbalance of energies within the body or an external pathogenic factor.
Another common TCM diagnosis associates throat pain with Wind, which when combined with Heat, can lead to an acute, painful throat with rapid onset.
Explore below more details about what might cause Throat pain according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Heat
- Yin Deficiency
- Small Intestine
Heat
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Throat Pain
Common Symptoms: Mouth Ulcers Restlessness Insomnia Tongue Ulcers Deafness Cardiac Burning Sensation Abdominal Pain Craving For Cold Beverages
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Heat in the Small Intestine | Throat pain, Restlessness, Insomnia, Tongue ulcers, Mouth ulcers, Deafness, Cardiac burning sensation, Abdominal pain, Craving for cold beverages, Scanty and dark urine, Hematuria, Urinary burning... see more | Dao Chi San |
| Toxic-Heat Stagnation | Throat pain, Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Eczema, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling... see more | Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin |
Yin Deficiency
Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more
Yin Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Throat Pain
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Yin Deficiency | Sore throat at night, Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy, Scanty and dark urine, Dry stools, Dry mouth and throat at night, Nocturnal emission, Pain relieved by pressure and cold, Preference for sipping... see more | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zuo Gui Wan | Mu Li San | Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang |
Small Intestine
In TCM the Small Intestine plays a critical role in receiving partially digested food from the Stomach and further separating the clear from the turbid, essentially distinguishing nutrients from waste. This process is vital for proper absorption and assimilation of food. The Small Intestine is also associated with clarity of judgment and decision-making. When it malfunctions or is imbalanced in TCM, it can lead to digestive issues such as abdominal pain, bloating, poor appetite, or irregular bowel movements. Additionally, a malfunctioning Small Intestine may manifest as mental confusion or difficulty in making decisions, reflecting its role in discernment and clarity in both physical and mental realms. ... see more
Small Intestine Patterns That Can Lead to Throat Pain
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Heat in the Small Intestine | Throat pain, Restlessness, Insomnia, Tongue ulcers, Mouth ulcers, Deafness, Cardiac burning sensation, Abdominal pain, Craving for cold beverages, Scanty and dark urine, Hematuria, Urinary burning... see more | Dao Chi San |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Throat Pain
For throat pain characterized by Heat patterns, TCM might prescribe Dao Chi San to clear Heat from the Small Intestine and Huang Lian Jie Du Tang for conditions of Toxic-Heat. These formulas contain herbs such as Akebia Stems and Goldthread Rhizomes, selected for their properties that align with the principles of clearing Heat and resolving toxicity, tailored to the patient's unique presentation of symptoms.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address throat pain, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Heat
- Yin Deficiency
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
- Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
- Formulas that stabilize exterior and stop sweating
- Formulas that simultaneously attack and tonify
Top Formula for Heat:
Dao Chi San
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause throat pain, such as Full-Heat in the Small Intestine
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Throat Pain Caused by Heat
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Dao Chi San | Full-Heat in the Small Intestine |
| Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Toxic-Heat Stagnation |
| Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin | Toxic-Heat Stagnation |
Top Formula for Yin Deficiency:
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Suitable for Yin Deficiency patterns that may cause throat pain, such as Yin Deficiency
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Throat Pain Caused by Yin Deficiency
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Yin Deficiency |
| Zuo Gui Wan | Yin Deficiency |
| Mu Li San | Yin Deficiency |
| Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang | Yin Deficiency |
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
These formulas are suitable for some throat pain-causing patterns like Full-Heat in the Small Intestine.
One such formula is Dao Chi San, with akebia stem as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat from the organs" recommended for throat pain
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Dao Chi San | Full-Heat in the Small Intestine |
| Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin | Toxic-Heat Stagnation |
Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
These formulas are suitable for some throat pain-causing patterns like Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that nourish yin and tonify" recommended for throat pain
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Yin Deficiency |
| Zuo Gui Wan | Yin Deficiency |
Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
These formulas are suitable for some throat pain-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat Stagnation.
One such formula is Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that stabilize Exterior and stop sweating
These formulas are suitable for some throat pain-causing patterns like Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Mu Li San, with oyster shells as a key herb.
Formulas that simultaneously attack and tonify
These formulas are suitable for some throat pain-causing patterns like Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang, with ningpo figwort root as a key herb.
Acupoints for Throat Pain
TCM advocates the use of acupoints along meridians like the Large Intestine Channel to alleviate throat pain. Points such as Futu LI-18 and Hegu LI-4 are stimulated to benefit the throat, regulate Qi, and address pain.
Directing Vessel points like Xuanji REN-21 are also used for their influence on Qi dynamics and throat health. The selection of these points is strategic, targeting the interrelated nature of the meridians to treat both the symptom and its root cause.
Explore below some acupoints used to address throat pain, organized by meridian.
- By Meridian
- Large Intestine Channel
- Extra Points: Head and Neck (EX-HN)
- Lung Channel
- Stomach Channel
- Directing Vessel
- Triple Burner Channel
Sanjian LI-3
Located on the radial side of the index finger, in the depression proximal to the head of the 2nd metacarpal bone.
Hegu LI-4
Between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.
Tianding LI-17
Tianding LI-17 is located on the lateral side of the neck, on the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, superior to Quepen ST-12 at the midpoint of the supraclavicular fossa. It is 1 cun below Futu LI-18 which is between the two head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Futu LI-18
On the lateral side of the neck, level with the tip of Adam's apple, between the sternal head and clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Kongzui LU-6
On the palmar aspect of the forearm, on the line joining Taiyuan LU-9 and Chize LU-5, 7 cun above Taiyuan LU-9.
Jingqu LU-8
1 cun proximal to the wrist crease (wrist joint space), in the depression on the radial side of the radial artery.
Shuitu ST-10
On the anterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle, in the middle between Renying ST-9 and Qishe ST-11.
Qishe ST-11
On the upper border of the clavicle, between the tendons of the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Xuanji REN-21
On the midline of the sternum, below the upper border of the manubrium sterni and midway between Huagai REN-20 and Tiantu REN-22.
