Musculoskeletal pain, headaches and joint conditions.
For education, not individual medical advice. Treatment decisions require a qualified practitioner’s assessment.
Migraines are one of the most common conditions treated with acupuncture. In TCM, migraines are rarely a single pattern — they can stem from Liver Yang Rising, Blood Stasis, Phlegm-Damp obstruction, or Qi and Blood deficiency. Effective treatment depends on accurate pattern differentiation.
4 patterns to consider
The lumbar region is governed by the Kidneys in TCM. Lower back pain can arise from Kidney Yang deficiency, Cold-Damp invasion, Blood Stasis, or Qi stagnation. Treatment strategies vary significantly depending on the underlying pattern.
4 patterns to consider
Sciatica follows the Bladder and Gallbladder meridian pathways in TCM. Treatment focuses on opening the channels, moving Blood Stasis, and expelling pathogenic Cold-Damp that obstructs Qi flow along the affected meridian.
3 patterns to consider
Fibromyalgia challenges conventional medicine but maps well to TCM's multi-pattern framework. The widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive fog typically involve complex combinations of Qi and Blood deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation, and Damp-Phlegm obstruction.
3 patterns to consider
TMJ disorder involves the Stomach, Gallbladder, and Small Intestine meridians that traverse the jaw. TCM treats TMJ by addressing both the local channel obstruction and the underlying pattern — commonly Liver Qi stagnation with muscle tension or Stomach Fire rising.
3 patterns to consider
Plantar fasciitis presents as sharp heel pain that is worst on the first steps of the morning. In Chinese medicine the heel sits on the Kidney and Bladder channels, so persistent heel pain is rarely just a local strain — it usually reflects Kidney deficiency failing to nourish the sinews and bone, complicated by Cold-Damp obstruction or Blood Stasis in the channel.
4 patterns to consider
Neck pain crosses the Gallbladder, Small Intestine, Bladder and Du channels, so effective point selection starts by identifying which channel the pain actually follows. TCM separates acute Wind-Cold stiff neck from chronic postural strain with Qi and Blood Stasis, and from degenerative cervical change with underlying Liver and Kidney deficiency.
4 patterns to consider
Knee osteoarthritis commonly presents with pain, stiffness and reduced function. Chinese medicine usually places it within Xī Bì (膝痹), with Cold-Damp obstruction, Blood Stasis and Liver-Kidney deficiency considered alongside exercise, load management and medical assessment.
3 patterns to consider
