Throat Ulcersaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Throat & Pharyngeal Inflammations and Pains, Oral and Throat Ulcers and Sores
What is Throat Ulcers?
Throat ulcers, medically known as pharyngeal ulcers, manifest as painful sores within the throat. These discomforting spots can disrupt swallowing and speaking, often reflecting a deeper health issue. They might emerge singularly as a canker sore or in clusters, sometimes indicative of an infection or a chronic condition. The pain can be sharp and persistent, leading to a significant impact on one’s quality of life.
How does TCM view Throat Ulcers?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives throat ulcers as a disturbance within the body's harmony, often resulting from an imbalance of Qi, the vital life force. The philosophy of TCM attributes such manifestations to factors like Heat Toxins, which could stem from emotional stress, external pathogens, or a diet that generates Internal Heat.
Unlike Western medicine that focuses on the sore itself, TCM seeks to understand the underlying pattern of disharmony causing the symptom, whether it's an excess or deficiency, aiming to restore balance and health holistically.
Acupoints for Throat Ulcers
In treating throat ulcers, TCM employs acupuncture, a method of inserting fine needles into specific body points to realign the flow of Qi. An essential acupoint for throat health is Tiantu REN-22. Located in the center of the suprasternal fossa, this point is traditionally worked upon to descend Lung Qi, alleviate throat discomfort, and ease voice strain.
Stimulating Tiantu can also be effective in dissolving Phlegm, a common pathological factor in throat ulcers according to TCM. By targeting this and other related acupoints, TCM aims to promote healing by addressing the root cause of the ulcers and fostering the body's natural recuperative processes.
See more details below about Tiantu REN-22, an acupoint used to address throat ulcers.
- By Meridian
- Directing Vessel
