This paper reports a case of red ear syndrome

a rare clinical condition

treated with acupuncture. At the initial consultation

the diagnosis was unclear from a western medical perspective. The advantage of traditional Chinese medicine in "prioritizing symptoms and syndrome differentiation" was fully utilized. Based on the patient’s clinical manifestations

disease progression

tongue and pulse conditions

the treatment addressed the branch by targeting meridian

qi

stagnation based on the hand-

taiyang

sinew meridian theory

and treated the root by selecting acupoints according to syndrome differentiation for liver and kidney

yin

deficiency. A combined treatment of tendon needling and acupuncture produced immediate results after the first session. Subsequent sessions were administered every other day for a total of ten treatments. The patient’s ear pain and redness symptoms had nearly disappeared

and a two-month follow-up showed good overall condition.