10.8 Pattern-Based Prescriptions II: Internal, Gynecological, and Emotional Conditions
Key Takeaways
Wind-Cold is treated with LU 7, LI 4, GB 20, and BL 12 (often with cupping or moxibustion); Wind-Heat with LI 11, SJ 5, Du 14, and bleeding LU 11 for a sore throat.
Digestive prescriptions build on Ren 12, ST 36, PC 6, and ST 25, adding LR 3 or LR 14 when the Liver invades the Stomach or Spleen.
Insomnia combinations include HT 7, Anmian, and SP 6, with BL 15 and BL 20 for Heart and Spleen deficiency or KI 3 and HT 6 for Heart and Kidney disharmony.
Painful periods from stagnation use SP 8, SP 6, LR 3, and Ren 3 before the period; deficiency-type pain uses Ren 4, ST 36, and BL 20 with moxibustion.
Night sweats from Yin deficiency use HT 6 with KI 7, and the NADA ear protocol supports recovery from substance use.
10.8 Pattern-Based Prescriptions II: Internal, Gynecological, and Emotional Conditions
Quick Answer: Internal conditions are treated by pattern, not by disease name. Start with points that treat the pattern (Yuan-Source, Back-Shu, Front-Mu, and Lower He-Sea points), add symptomatic points, and choose the method (reinforcing, reducing, moxibustion, bleeding) that fits Excess or Deficiency and Heat or Cold. The prescriptions below are common textbook combinations. Many of these conditions also need medical evaluation, so screen for red flags first.
Lung and Exterior Conditions
| Pattern | Key features | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Wind-Cold | Chills more than fever, no sweating, body aches, clear mucus, floating tight pulse | LU 7, LI 4, GB 20, BL 12, BL 13; cupping or moxibustion on the upper back |
| Wind-Heat | Fever more than chills, sore throat, thirst, yellow mucus, floating rapid pulse | LI 11, LI 4, SJ 5, Du 14; bleed LU 11 for a sore throat |
| Phlegm-Damp in the Lung | Chronic cough with profuse white sputum, chest fullness | LU 5, ST 40, Ren 12, BL 13, LU 9 |
| Lung Qi deficiency | Weak cough, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating | LU 9, BL 13, ST 36, Ren 17 |
| Wheezing | Asthma or chronic cough | Add Dingchuan (0.5 cun lateral to Du 14), Ren 22, BL 13 |
Digestive Conditions
| Pattern | Key features | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach Qi rebellion (nausea, vomiting) | Nausea, belching, vomiting | PC 6, Ren 12, ST 36, SP 4 |
| Liver invading the Stomach | Epigastric pain and belching worse with stress | LR 3, LR 14, PC 6, Ren 12, ST 36 |
| Food stagnation | Fullness, sour belching, foul breath after overeating | Ren 10, ST 21, ST 44, Lineiting; Sifeng in children |
| Spleen Qi deficiency diarrhea | Loose stools, fatigue, poor appetite | ST 36, ST 25, BL 20, SP 3, Ren 12 |
| Kidney Yang deficiency diarrhea | Early-morning (cockcrow) diarrhea, cold lower back | Ren 4, Du 4, BL 23, ST 25, with moxibustion |
| Constipation | Excess (heat) or deficiency (dryness) types | ST 25, SJ 6, ST 37; add LI 11 for heat or KI 6 for dryness |
| Damp-Heat in the intestines | Urgent foul diarrhea, burning anus | LI 11, ST 25, ST 37, SP 9, ST 44 |
Sleep, Emotions, and Dizziness
| Pattern | Key features | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Heart and Spleen deficiency (insomnia) | Difficulty falling asleep, palpitations, fatigue, poor memory | HT 7, SP 6, BL 15, BL 20, ST 36, Anmian |
| Heart and Kidney not harmonized | Waking often, night sweats, tinnitus, low back ache | KI 3, KI 6, HT 6, HT 7, BL 15, BL 23 |
| Liver Fire (insomnia, irritability) | Restless sleep, dream-disturbed, red eyes, bitter taste | LR 2, GB 44, HT 7, Anmian |
| Liver Qi stagnation (depression, mood swings) | Sighing, rib-side distension, symptoms worse with stress | LR 3, LI 4 (Four Gates), PC 6, Yintang, Du 20 |
| Heart Blood deficiency (anxiety) | Anxiety, palpitations, pale face | HT 7, BL 15, BL 17, SP 6, Ren 14 |
| Liver Yang rising (dizziness) | Dizziness, headache, red face, irritability | LR 3, GB 20, KI 3, Du 20 |
| Phlegm (dizziness) | Heavy-headed dizziness, nausea, greasy coating | ST 40, PC 6, Ren 12, GB 20 |
KI 6 with BL 62 (the opening points of the Yin and Yang Qiao vessels) is a common pairing for insomnia and excessive sleepiness. Suicidal thoughts, severe depression, or new psychotic symptoms require urgent mental health referral (Chapter 14).
Urinary Conditions
| Pattern | Key features | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Damp-Heat in the Bladder (Lin syndrome) | Burning, urgent, frequent urination | Ren 3, BL 28, SP 9, SP 6, BL 63 |
| Kidney Qi not firm | Frequency, dribbling, incontinence, bedwetting | Ren 4, Ren 3, BL 23, KI 3, Du 4, with moxibustion |
| Bladder Qi obstruction (urinary retention) | Difficult urination | SP 6, SP 9, Ren 3; avoid deep needling over a full bladder |
Fever with flank pain, blood in the urine, or inability to pass urine needs medical referral.
Gynecological Conditions
| Condition and pattern | Points |
|---|---|
| Dysmenorrhea from Qi and Blood stagnation | SP 8, SP 6, LR 3, Ren 3, LI 4, treated mainly before and during the period |
| Dysmenorrhea from Cold in the uterus | Ren 4, ST 29, SP 6, with moxibustion |
| Dysmenorrhea from Qi and Blood deficiency | Ren 4, ST 36, SP 6, BL 20, BL 23, treated mainly after the period |
| Premenstrual syndrome (Liver Qi stagnation) | LR 3, PC 6, SP 6, LR 14, GB 34 |
| Heavy menstrual bleeding (Spleen not holding Blood) | SP 1 (moxibustion), ST 36, Ren 4, BL 20 |
| Menopausal hot flashes and night sweats (Kidney Yin deficiency) | KI 3, KI 6, SP 6, HT 6 with KI 7, Ren 4 |
| Insufficient lactation | SI 1, Ren 17, ST 18, ST 36 |
Pregnancy-related conditions: PC 6 for nausea and vomiting, and moxibustion at BL 67 for breech presentation at about 32-35 weeks. Follow the pregnancy precautions in Sections 10.6 and 11.4. Postmenopausal bleeding and very heavy bleeding with dizziness need medical evaluation.
Substance Use and Smoking Cessation
The NADA protocol (Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, Lung in both ears) is used for addiction recovery, often in groups (Section 10.2). Body points such as LI 4, LR 3, PC 6, and HT 7 address the withdrawal patterns of agitation, insomnia, and craving. Acupuncture is used as part of a broader treatment program, not as a replacement for medical detoxification when severe withdrawal (for example, from alcohol or benzodiazepines) is possible.
A patient has chills more than fever, no sweating, body aches, clear nasal discharge, and a floating, tight pulse. Which prescription best fits?
LI 11, Du 14, SJ 5, and bleeding LU 11 to clear the throat
LU 7, LI 4, GB 20, and BL 12, with upper-back cupping
KI 3, HT 6, and KI 7 with gentle reinforcing technique
SP 9, SP 6, Ren 3, and BL 28 with reducing technique
A menopausal patient has hot flashes, night sweats, a dry mouth at night, and a red tongue with little coating. Which points best address the night sweats?
HT 6 combined with KI 7, plus KI 3 and SP 6
Moxibustion on Du 4 and Ren 4
LI 4 and LR 3 with strong reducing method
Cupping on BL 13
A patient has sharp cramping menstrual pain before and during the period, dark clots, and premenstrual breast distension. Which prescription fits best, and when is it usually given?
Ren 4, ST 36, and BL 20 with moxibustion after the period
SP 8, SP 6, LR 3, and Ren 3, given mainly before and during the period
KI 3 and KI 6 only during ovulation
SI 1 and Ren 17 after childbirth
A patient has difficulty falling asleep, palpitations, fatigue, poor memory, a pale tongue, and a weak pulse. Which combination best matches the pattern?
LR 2 and GB 44 with reducing method
LU 7 and KI 6
HT 7, SP 6, BL 15, BL 20, and ST 36
ST 40 and ST 44
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