Facial Swellingaccording to TCM

What is Facial Swelling?

Facial swelling, also known as puffy face or swollen face, is the abnormal buildup of fluids in the tissues of the face. It can be caused by infections, allergic reactions, trauma, or underlying conditions like kidney disease or heart failure. Symptoms include puffiness and tightness, particularly in the cheeks or forehead. Proper diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and managing underlying health issues.

How Does TCM View Facial Swelling?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), understanding patterns is crucial for diagnosing and treating conditions like facial swelling. Patterns in TCM refer to specific imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, and other vital substances. Unlike Western medicine, which targets symptoms, TCM focuses on identifying these underlying patterns. Knowing the correct pattern is essential because it allows practitioners to tailor treatments that address the root cause of the swelling, ensuring comprehensive and effective relief.

Root Causes of Facial Swelling in TCM

TCM attributes facial swelling to several patterns of disharmony, such as Kidneys failing to receive Qi or Interior Wind. When the Kidneys fail to receive Qi, it leads to symptoms like facial swelling, difficulty breathing, chronic coughing, and cold extremities. This pattern affects the body's ability to move and transform Body Fluids, resulting in fluid retention.

Interior Wind, caused by imbalances within the body, can obstruct the flow of Qi and Blood, leading to sudden swelling and other related symptoms. Recognizing these patterns helps practitioners tailor treatments to address both the swelling and its root causes.

Explore below more details about what might cause Facial swelling according to TCM.

Kidney

In TCM the Kidneys are regarded as the body's most fundamental reservoir of Essence, known as Jing, which influences growth, reproduction, and aging. They are not just organs for filtering blood, but a holistic system governing vital life forces. When the Kidneys malfunction in TCM, it can manifest as a variety of health issues, such as chronic fatigue, reproductive problems, imbalances in fluid metabolism leading to edema or dryness, lower back pain, and a sense of fear or insecurity.... see more

Kidney Patterns That Can Lead to Facial Swelling

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Kidneys failing to receive Qi	Swelling of the face, Exertional dyspnea, Rapid breath, Weak respiratory, Difficulty breathing in, Chronic coughing, Asthma, Spontaneous sweat, Cold extremities, Facial edema, Emaciation, Low energy, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Clear urination... see more	You Gui Wan | Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang | Ren Shen Ge Jie San

TCM Herbal Formulas for Facial Swelling

For treating facial swelling, TCM uses specific formulas and herbs that target the identified patterns. For Kidneys failing to receive Qi, formulas like You Gui Wan, which includes Prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), are recommended. This formula warms the Yang and tonifies the Kidneys, aiding in fluid transformation and reducing swelling. The choice of formulas depends on the patient’s specific pattern.

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

Acupoints for Facial Swelling

In TCM, specific acupoints are used to treat facial swelling by addressing the underlying patterns. In the Stomach Channel, Daying ST-5, located on the lateral mandible, helps expel Wind and reduce swelling. Fenglong ST-40, midway between Dubi ST-35 and Jiexi ST-41, resolves Dampness and Phlegm, calms the Mind, and subdues Rebellious Qi. In the Large Intestine Channel, Hegu LI-4, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, expels Exterior Wind and benefits the face, while Yingxiang LI-20, in the nasolabial groove, opens the nose and removes obstructions. These acupoints, along with others in the Governing and Directing Vessels, help alleviate swelling and restore harmony within the body's energy pathways.

Explore below some acupoints used to address facial swelling, organized by meridian.

Juliao ST-3

Directly below Sibai ST-2, at the level of the lower border of ala nasi.

Daying ST-5

On the lateral mandible, on the anterior border of masseter muscle, in the groove-like depression appearing when the cheek is bulged.

Jiache ST-6

One finger-breadth anterior and superior to the lower angle of the mandible where masseter muscle attaches at the prominence of the muscle when the teeth are clenched.

Xiaguan ST-7

In the depression at the lower border of the zygomatic arch, anterior to the condyloid process of the mandible. Xiaguan ST-7 is located when the mouth is closed.

Tianshu ST-25

2 cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus.

Fenglong ST-40

Midway between Dubi ST-35 and Jiexi ST-41, two middle finger-width from the anterior crest of the tibia, or one middle finger-width from Tiaokou ST-38.

Jiexi ST-41

At the junction of the dorsum of the foot and leg, between the tendons of extensor digitorum and the extensor hallucis longus muscle. Approximately at the level of the tip of the external malleolus.

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.

Lidui ST-45

On the lateral side of the 2nd toe, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of nail.

Hegu LI-4

Between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

Yingxiang LI-20

In the nasolabrial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of ala nasi.

Qubin GB-7

Within the hairline anterior and superior to the auricle, about 1 finger-breadth (0.5 cun) anterior to Jiaosun TB-20 which is on the apex of the ear.

Muchuang GB-16

1 cun posterior to the Toulingqi GB-15 or 1.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, on the pupil line which is 2.25 cun lateral to the midline.

Qianding DU-21

On the midline, 1.5 cun anterior to Baihui DU-20 or 3.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline.

Xinhui DU-22

On the head midline, 3 cun anterior to Baihui DU-20, 2 cun posterior to the front hairline.

Xiaohai SI-8

Between the olecranon of the ulna and the medial epicondyle of the humerus.

Quanliao SI-18

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

Tianyou TB-16

Posterior and inferior to the mastoid process, on the posterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle, level with Tianrong SI-17 and Tianzhu BL-10.

Luxi TB-19

Posterior to the ear, at the junction of the upper and middle third of the curve formed by Yifeng ST-17 and Jiaosun ST-20 behind the helix.

Chengjiang REN-24

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