Sore throat
Throat pain may range from a slight tickle or irritation to a strong red, swollen and painful throat where swallowing is difficult. Often, throat pain occurs during a cold or other respiratory infection, but symptoms may also recur regularly or remain present for long periods of time.
In acute sore throats, treatment is mainly about reducing current symptoms and supporting recovery. In recurrent or chronic sore throats, factors that cause the throat to get irritated again and again, such as mucus formation, dryness, reflux or strain of the voice are also considered.
Within Chinese medicine, therefore, not only the throat itself, but the overall picture of complaints is considered. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are adapted accordingly.
Possible Western disorders
Throat pain may occur, inter alia:
- colds and other viral respiratory infections;
- throat inflammation (pharyngitis);
- inflamed almonds (tonsillitis);
- streptococcal infection;
- laryngitis;
- reflux;
- postnasal drip due to rhinitis or sinus problems.
Possible causes
The most common cause of acute sore throat is an infection of the upper respiratory tract. Usually it is a virus; bacterial infections are also common.
Other factors may play a role in recurrent or chronic sore throats. Stomach contents reaching the throat during reflux, mucus that runs from nose or sinuses along the throat, smoking, dry air and exposure to irritating substances may stimulate the mucous membrane for a long time. Also intensive voice use can burden the throat.
In some people throat symptoms return mainly in periods of fatigue or insufficient recovery. Often several factors play at the same time.
How can acupuncture help with sore throats?
The treatment strongly depends on the type of sore throat. In case of acute respiratory infection, treatment is different from that in someone who has had a dry or irritated throat for months.
In case of acute sore throat, the emphasis is mainly on current symptoms. In case of chronic or recurrent complaints, factors that keep the throat vulnerable or irritated are also considered.
The treatment may include:
- reduce pain, irritation and swelling of the throat;
- treat additional complaints during acute respiratory infection;
- reduce mucus and the feeling that something remains in the throat;
- treat dry and irritated throats;
- also treat fatigue, mucus formation and other underlying complaints.
In case of acute sore throat, treatment within TCM can be relatively frequent. In case of severe acute complaints, even one or more treatments per day are described in the source used. In practice, the frequency is adapted to the severity and cause of the symptoms and to any regular medical treatment.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with sore throats?
Chinese herbs can be used both during an acute infection phase and in recurrent or chronic throat complaints. The composition is adapted to the way the symptoms present at that time.
In case of acute sore throat, herbal treatment can be tailored to include redness and swelling of the throat, fever, mucus and other additional symptoms. In case of chronic or recurrent sore throat, attention shifts more towards factors that maintain the symptoms or cause them to keep coming back.
The treatment may include:
- reduce pain, redness and swelling of the throat;
- treat additional complaints during acute respiratory infection;
- reduce mucus and a feeling of blockage in the throat;
- moisten dry and irritated mucous membranes;
- in the case of regular complaints, also cover the underlying complaint image;
- adjust the herbal treatment when symptoms change during an infection.
Chinese herbs can be used daily between acupuncture treatments. In case of suspected severe bacterial infection or complication acupuncture and Chinese herbs do not replace necessary conventional medical assessment or treatment.
How does Chinese medicine view sore throats?
Within Chinese medicine, the same complaint can arise from various underlying imbalances. Therefore, the treatment is not determined solely by the fact that someone has throat pain.
In case of acute sore throats, so-called external pathogens often play an important role. This means a disease process within TCM, for example during a cold or other respiratory infection. Depending on the way the complaints are presented, a distinction is made between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat. In case of sore throats, Wind-Heat is more common and its redness, swelling and pain is usually more pronounced. Wind-Cold usually gives milder throat problems.
An acute infection can develop further. If Heat becomes stronger and penetrates deeper, an image of Lung- and Stomach-Heat may arise, with the symptoms of inflammation much stronger.
In chronic sore throats, the image changes. For example, Phlegm, a shortage of Qi or a shortage of Yin may play a role. Phlegm describes an accumulation within TCM that can be associated with mucus and a feeling of constipation. Yin refers to the nourishing and moistening aspects of the body. A deficiency in this can actually manifest itself in a dry and irritated throat.
The Lung organ system plays a central role because of its relationship with throat and airways. In recurrent complaints, the Spleen may also be involved, especially when fatigue, mucus formation and digestive symptoms coincide.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance is likely to contribute to the complaints. Read more at TCM basics .
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints.
Most common TCM patterns
Wind-Cold
Brief explanation
Wind-Cold occurs especially at the beginning of a cold or other acute respiratory infection. The sore throat is usually mild. The terms Wind and Cold describe the pattern of complaints within TCM and do not mean that it actually needs to be cold outside.
Common symptoms
- slight sore throat, tickle or irritation;
- pain or discomfort upon swallowing;
- feeling cold or chills;
- stiff neck and muscle pain;
- clogged nose or thin, aqueous nasal secretion;
- little or no sweating.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in case of colds and other novice viral respiratory infections.
Wind-Heat
Brief explanation
Wind-Heat is a common pattern in acute sore throat. The symptoms of inflammation are clearer than with Wind-Cold. The throat is redder, more swollen and more painful and the symptoms can develop quickly.
Common symptoms
- acute, clear sore throat;
- red and swollen throat or almonds;
- pain on swallowing;
- fever, usually stronger than feeling cold;
- thirst or dry throat;
- headache;
- sometimes cough with difficult to cough up mucus.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in viral throat inflammation, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and other acute respiratory infections.
Lung- and Stomach-Heat
Brief explanation
This pattern may occur when acute Heat disease becomes stronger and develops further. The symptoms of inflammation are more pronounced than with Wind-Heat.
Common symptoms
- sore throat;
- strong red and swollen throat or almonds;
- white or yellow batter or pus on the almonds;
- difficulty or a lot of pain when swallowing;
- high fever;
- thirsty;
- bad breath;
- possible constipation;
- Thick, yellow mucus.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in acute tonsillitis or pharyngitis with strong redness, swelling, fever and possibly batter or pus, including some streptococcal infections.
Phlegm-Heat
Brief explanation
Phlegm-Heat is more suited to chronic or regular throat problems. Within TCM, not only has Heat developed, but there is also accumulation of Phlegm. This can make the throat feel irritated, swollen or clogged for a long time.
Common symptoms
- chronic or recurrent sore throat;
- red throat or chronically swollen almonds;
- mucus or regularly scraping the throat;
- feeling that there's something in the throat;
- dry mouth and thirst;
- bad breath;
- sometimes nausea or feeling full;
- tendency to dry stools or constipation.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in chronic tonsillitis, chronic pharyngitis and chronic laryngitis.
Lung- and Spleen-Qi-deficiency
Brief explanation
This pattern weakens the general resistance and recovery capacity according to TCM. As a result, the throat can remain sensitive and symptoms return easily. Sometimes, after previous infections, part of the disease process remains present, making someone between the infections not completely grievance free.
Common symptoms
- recurrent throat pain;
- throat pain that gets worse when tired;
- easy colds;
- fatigue and low energy;
- pale or slightly swollen throat;
- mucus or regularly scraping the throat;
- decreased appetite;
- bloating or loose stools.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in recurrent tonsillitis, chronic throat inflammation and recurrent respiratory infections.
Yin-deficiency
Brief explanation
Yin has a nourishing and moistening function within TCM. If not present, the mucous membranes of the throat can become dryer and more sensitive. This pattern usually develops gradually and is especially suitable for chronic complaints.
Common symptoms
- chronic dry or irritated throat;
- mild to moderate sore throat;
- burning or hotness in the throat;
- symptoms worse later in the day or when tired;
- dry mouth;
- dry scabbard;
- sometimes night sweats or warmth in hands and feet.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in chronic pharyngitis, chronic laryngitis and other long-term throat problems where dryness and irritation are clearly prominent.
When to contact your doctor?
A common sore throat during a cold usually resolves itself. Medical assessment is important when the symptoms are severe, unusually long or regularly returning.
Contact a doctor promptly if you have a high or persistent fever, severe difficulty swallowing, difficulty drinking, marked swelling of the throat or neck, or feel seriously ill. Worsening breathing difficulties or severe throat swelling require prompt medical assessment.
Also prolonged or unexplained sore throat, especially when associated with persistent hoarseness, swelling in the neck or unexplained weight loss, should be medically evaluated.
Outlook
The course of treatment depends, among other things, on the cause, duration and severity of the sore throat, the underlying TCM pattern and any factors that continue to irritate the throat.
Acute sore throat may change relatively quickly. In case of acute or severe symptoms, treatment can temporarily be much more frequent than once a week. Depending on the situation, this can be multiple times a week and even daily in some acute TCM treatment protocols.
In the case of recurrent or chronic sore throats, more time is usually needed. One acupuncture treatment per week is then a usual guideline in the initial phase. When the symptoms decrease and become more stable, the frequency can be reduced. Chinese herbs can be used daily between treatments when appropriate.
Contact
Do you have regular throat pain and want to know if acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can fit in with your symptoms? During a first consultation we will discuss your complaints, possible causes and other relevant symptoms. Based on the overall complaint picture, we will examine which TCM pattern is likely to be at the forefront and what treatment is appropriate.