Pattern
Liver Qi Stagnation
Chinese
肝气郁结
Keywords
胁胀、叹气、情绪压力
Hypochondriac distension, frequent sighing, emotional stress
Disease / Common conditions
Hypochondriac pain, depression syndrome, PMS, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, breast distension, insomnia, plum-pit qi.
Symptoms
Hypochondriac distension, chest oppression, frequent sighing, emotional depression or irritability, symptoms aggravated by stress, breast distension, irregular menstruation, wiry pulse.
Pathogenesis flow
General:
| Long-term stress, emotional frustration, anger, or suppressed emotions ↓ The Liver’s free coursing function becomes impaired ↓ Qi movement becomes constrained and stagnant ↓ Qi fails to move smoothly through the channels and organs ↓ Liver Qi Stagnation forms 临床版： Long-term stress, frustration, anger, or emotional suppression can impair the Liver’s free coursing function. As Liver Qi fails to move smoothly, Qi becomes constrained, leading to Liver Qi Stagnation. 常见症状可接在后面： Liver Qi Stagnation ↓ Qi movement becomes constrained ↓ Chest oppression, hypochondriac distension, sighing, mood swings, irritability, depression, throat tightness, irregular menstruation, breast distension, symptoms worse with stress 中文对应： 长期压力、郁怒、情志不舒 ↓ 肝失疏泄 ↓ 气机郁滞不畅 ↓ 经络脏腑气机失调 ↓ 形成肝气郁结 ↓ 胸闷、胁肋胀痛、善太息、情绪波动、易怒或抑郁、咽中异物感、月经不调、乳房胀痛，情绪波动时加重 |
Possibility:
| Long-term stress / frustration / suppressed anger ↓ Liver fails to course freely ↓ Liver Qi Stagnation ↓ Possible developments: 1. Overacts on Stomach → Liver Qi Invading Stomach 2. Overacts on Spleen → Liver Qi Invading Spleen 3. Constraint transforms into Heat → Liver Fire 4. Dampness + Heat → Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat 5. Qi fails to move Blood → Blood Stasis 6. Qi binds with Phlegm → Phlegm-Qi Constraint 7. Long-term stagnation affects nourishment → Liver Blood Deficiency |
Etiology / Causes
Emotional stress, frustration, suppressed anger, anxiety, long-term mental strain, lack of movement, prolonged sitting, irregular lifestyle.
Formula / 对症汤剂
Xiao Yao San 逍遥散
If Qi stagnation is stronger: Chai Hu Shu Gan San 柴胡疏肝散
Acupuncture points / 穴位
LV3 太冲, LI4 合谷, PC6 内关, GB34 阳陵泉, REN17 膻中, SP6 三阴交