Face Painaccording to TCM

What is Face Pain?

Face pain, medically known as facial pain, refers to any discomfort or pain felt in the facial region. This pain can be acute or chronic, and it may arise from various causes, including dental issues, sinus infections, nerve disorders, and trauma. Facial pain can be localized to specific areas such as the forehead or can be more diffuse, affecting larger parts of the face. It often presents with symptoms like sharp, stabbing, or throbbing sensations and can significantly impact an individual's quality of life.

How Does TCM View Face Pain?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), face pain is understood through the concept of patterns of disharmony. Unlike Western medicine, which typically focuses on the specific anatomical cause of pain, TCM looks at the underlying imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, and other fundamental substances.

Symptoms like facial pain can result from various patterns of disharmony, making it crucial to identify the correct pattern before initiating treatment. This holistic approach aims to address the root causes of pain and restore balance within the body.

Root Causes of Face Pain in TCM

In TCM, face pain can arise from several patterns of disharmony, with two common causes being Damp-Heat and Heat. Damp-Heat in the Stomach is a pattern where excessive Heat and Dampness accumulate, leading to symptoms like facial pain, upper abdominal fullness, a feeling of heaviness, and a congested nose with thick nasal discharge.

This pattern often stems from dietary factors, such as consuming too much greasy or spicy food. Heat, on the other hand, can cause facial pain when excessive internal Heat affects the head and face, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Identifying these patterns is crucial for effective treatment, as it allows practitioners to tailor their approach to the specific needs of the patient.

Explore below more details about what might cause Face pain according to TCM.

Dampness

"Dampness" in TCM is a concept that describes a pattern of disharmony where the body accumulates excess moisture. Imagine the heavy, sticky feeling you get on a very humid day; that's similar to what dampness feels like internally. It can manifest as a sense of heaviness, bloating, sluggishness, or even a foggy mind. This condition is often thought to arise from environmental factors like living in a damp place, dietary habits that promote moisture in the body, or internal imbalances that hinder the body's ability to process fluids properly. In TCM, dampness can obstruct the normal flow of energy and fluids in the body, leading to various symptoms.... see more

Dampness Patterns That Can Lead to Face Pain

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Stomach	Facial pain, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth... see more	Lian Po Yin | Ge Hua Jie Cheng San

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 Face Pain

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Stomach	Facial pain, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth... see more	Lian Po Yin | Ge Hua Jie Cheng San

Stomach

In TCM the Stomach is regarded as the "sea of nourishment," pivotal for digesting food and transforming it into Qi and blood. It works closely with the Spleen to distribute these essential nutrients throughout the body. When the Stomach is out of balance or malfunctions in TCM, it often leads to digestive problems such as bloating, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, or a feeling of fullness. There may also be issues like acid reflux or a sour taste in the mouth. Emotionally, an imbalanced Stomach can contribute to excessive worry and overthinking, reflecting the TCM belief that physical and emotional well-being are deeply interconnected.... see more

Stomach Patterns That Can Lead to Face Pain

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Stomach	Facial pain, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth... see more	Lian Po Yin | Ge Hua Jie Cheng San

TCM Herbal Formulas for Face Pain

For clearing Heat and expelling dampness, formulas like Lian Po Yin with Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) are commonly used. This formula is effective in treating patterns of Damp-Heat in the Stomach by cooling and detoxifying the body. The choice of formulas and herbs will depend on the patient's specific pattern, highlighting the personalized nature of TCM treatments. By addressing the root causes of facial pain through a holistic approach, TCM aims to restore balance and harmony within the body, providing relief and promoting overall well-being.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address face pain, organized by cause and by formula type.

Top Formula for Dampness:
Lian Po Yin

Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause face pain, such as Damp-Heat in the Stomach

Learn more

All Formulas Recommended for Face Pain Caused by Dampness

Formula	Patterns Suitable For
Lian Po Yin	Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San	Damp-Heat in the Stomach

Top Formula for Heat:
Lian Po Yin

Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause face pain, such as Damp-Heat in the Stomach

Learn more

All Formulas Recommended for Face Pain Caused by Heat

Formula	Patterns Suitable For
Lian Po Yin	Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San	Damp-Heat in the Stomach

Acupoints for Face Pain

Acupuncture is a central component of TCM for treating face pain. In the Stomach Channel, points like Chongyang ST-42 and Neiting ST-44 are used to tonify the Stomach, clear Heat, and expel Wind from the face. Chongyang ST-42 is located at the highest point of the dorsum of the foot and is known for its ability to remove obstructions from the Channel and calm the Mind. Neiting ST-44, found between the second and third toes, is effective in clearing heat from the stomach channel and easing pain.

In the Directing Vessel, Chengjiang REN-24, located in the center of the mentolabial groove, is used to expel internal wind and regulate the vessel. Extra points like Jiachengjiang EX-HN, positioned 1 cun lateral to the center of the mentolabial groove, help expel Wind and reduce pain. Small Intestine Channel point Quanliao SI-18, located directly below the outer canthus, clears heat and resolves swelling. Gall Bladder Channel point Shangguan GB-3, in front of the ear on the upper border of the zygomatic arch, is beneficial for expelling wind and removing obstructions from the channel. These acupoints, when stimulated, can help alleviate facial pain by addressing the underlying imbalances in the body's energy pathways.

Explore below some acupoints used to address face pain, organized by meridian.

Chongyang ST-42

Distal to Jiexi ST-41, at the highest point of the dorsum of foot, between the tendons of the extensor hallucis longus and the extensor digitorum longus, directly lateral to the point where the dorsalis pedis artery may be palpated. The point is bordered proximally by the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones and distally by the 2nd and 3rd cuneiform bones.

Neiting ST-44

Between the 2nd and the 3rd toes, proximal to the interdigital fold.

Chengjiang REN-24

On the midline, in the center of the mentolabial groove.

Jiachengjiang EX-HN

1 cun lateral to the center of the mentolabial groove.

Quanliao SI-18

Directly below the outer canthus, in the depression on the lower border of zygoma.

Shangguan GB-3

In front of the ear, on the upper border of the zygomatic arch, in the depression directly above Xiaguan ST-7.

Wenliu LI-7

When a fist is made, with the ulnar side downward and elbow flexed, the point is 5 cun above Yangxi LI-5 at the wrist crease, 1 cun distal to the midpoint of the line joining Yangxi LI-5 and Quchi LI-11.

Zanzhu BL-2

On the medial extremity of the eyebrow, or on the supraorbital notch.