Sore Throat

Sore throat is commonly seen . It can be divided into two types : excess and deficiency .

Etiology and Pathogenesis

The throat communicates with the stomach and the lung through the esophagus and the trachea respectively . Sore throat of excess type ( excess of heat ) is due to exogenous pathogenic wind heat that scorches the lung system or due to the accumulated heat in the Lung and Stomach Meridians that disturbs upward . Sore throat of deficiency type ( deficiency of yin ) is due to the exhaustion of the kidney yin that fails to flow upward to moisten the throat , while the asthenic fire flares up instead .

Differentiation

a ) Syndrome of excess of heat :

Main manifestations : Abrupt onset with chills , fever , headache , congested and sore throat , thirst , dysphagia , constipation , reddened tongue with thin yellow coating , superficial and rapid pulse .

Analysis : Exogenous pathogenic wind heat invades the exterior portion of the body , leading to chills , fever and headache . After having been transmitted to the lung system the pathogenic wind heat causes sore throat and dysphagia . The lung is exteriorly - interiorly related with the large intestine . Since the pathogenic heat consumes the body fluid , there are symptoms of thirst and constipation . Reddened tongue with thin yellow coating , superficial and rapid pulse are signs of the pathogenic wind heat invading the lung .

b ) Syndrome of deficiency of yin :

Main manifestations : Gradual onset without fever or with low fever , slightly congested throat with intermittent pain or pain during swallowing , dryness of the throat , more marked at night , feverish sensation in the palms and soles , reddened and furless tongue , thready and rapid pulse .

Analysis : The Kidney Meridian of Foot - Shaoyin travels to the throat . Because the kidney yin is insufficient to run up to moisten the throat , the throat is slightly congested with mild pain on and off and with dryness more marked at night . Feverish sensation in the palms and soles , red tongue , thready and rapid pulse are signs of deficiency of yin that causes yang preponderance .

Treatment

a ) Syndrome of excess of heat :

Method : To disperse wind and eliminate heat by puncturing the points of Hand - Taiyin and Foot - Yangming Meridians with the reducing method .

Prescription : Shaoshang ( L11 ) , Hegu ( Li4 ) , Neiting ( S 44 ) , Tianrong ( Si17 ) .

Explanation : Pricking Shaoshang ( L11 ) to let a few drops of blood out is used to clear off the heat from the lung and relieve pain . Hegu ( Li4 ) disperses exterior pathogenic factors from the Lung Meridian and the accumulated heat from the Yangming Meridians . Neiting ( S 44 ) , the Ying - ( Spring ) Point of the Stomach Meridian , reduces heat in the stomach . Tianrong ( Si17 ) is a local point used to ease the pain of a sore throat .

b ) Syndrome of deficiency of yin :

Method : To nourish yin and descend fire by puncturing with the reinforcing method at points of Shaoyin Meridians of Hand and Foot as the principal points .

Prescription : ( a ) Taixi ( K 3 ) , Yuji ( L 10 ) , Lianquan ( Ren 23 ) ( b ) Zhaohai ( K 6 ) , Lieque ( L 7 ) , Futu ( Li18 ) .

The above two prescriptions may be used alternatively .

Explanation : Taixi ( K 3 ) is the Yuan - ( Primary ) Point of the Kidney Meridian which runs up to the throat . Yuji ( L 10 ) is the Ying - ( Spring ) Point of the Lung Meridian . Combination of the two points nourishes yin and reduces the fire . Zhaohai ( K 6 ) and Lieque ( L 7 ) , a pair of the Eight Confluent Points , relieve sore throat by leading the asthenic fire downward . Futu ( Li18 ) and Lianquan ( Ren 23 ) are local points for relieving pain .

Remarks

Sore throat as described here is involved in acute tonsilitis , acute and chronic pharyngitis .