Exploration of tuina for the treatment of acute pharyngitis based on "Tianyou (TE 16) and five regions" in Huangdi Neijing

The paper explores the thoughts and manipulations of tuina at "Tianyou (TE 16) and five regions" for the treatment of acute pharyngitis based on "Tianyou (TE 16) and five regions" in Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic). "Tianyou (TE 16) and five regions" refer to the special acupoints of yang meridians, mostly located at the neck region. It is the "window" of the head and neck, acting on dispersing wind and regulating qi and blood by opening the "window". Acute pharyngitis is caused by the invasion of exogenous wind and heat to the throat or by re-attack of exogenous factors and heat accumulation in the lung and stomach. Pathogenic wind and heat is the chief causative factor. Based on the theory and location of "Tianyou (TE 16) and five regions", the manipulations of tuina, i.e. point-pressing, plucking and smoothing, are operated to open "huyou"(door and window) of the head and face, combined by bleeding at the ear apex so that the path is opened for pathogen elimination. As a result, the pathogenic wind and heat are dispelled, qi movement is promoted and the throat is benefited.