Face Painaccording to TCM
Root Causes of Face Pain in TCM
Explore below more details about what might cause Face pain according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Dampness
- Heat
- Stomach
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 hot, 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 hot, 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 hot, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth... see more | Lian Po Yin | Ge Hua Jie Cheng San |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Face Pain
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address face pain, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Dampness
- Heat
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that reduce food stagnation with tonification
Top Formula for Dampness:
Lian Po Yin
Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause face pain, such as Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Learn moreAll 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 moreAll 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 |
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
These formulas are suitable for some face pain-causing patterns like Damp-Heat in the Stomach.
One such formula is Lian Po Yin, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that reduce food Stagnation with tonification
These formulas are suitable for some face pain-causing patterns like Damp-Heat in the Stomach.
One such formula is Ge Hua Jie Cheng San, with kudzu flower as a key herb.
Acupoints for Face Pain
Explore below some acupoints used to address face pain, organized by meridian.
- By Meridian
- Stomach Channel
- Directing Vessel
- Extra Points: Head and Neck (EX-HN)
- Small Intestine Channel
- Gall Bladder Channel
- Large Intestine Channel
- Bladder Channel
- Governing Vessel
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.
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.
