Liver Qi Stagnation

Liver Qi Stagnation TCM Pattern Connections

Below you will find various relationships to the concept of and potential approaches for liver qi stagnation.

Content Related to Liver Qi Stagnation

Liver Qi Stagnation is one of many possible underlying factors from a TCM perspective for health issues such as acrocyanosis, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), arrhythmia, asthma, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, chest pain, chronic cholecystitis, depression, dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain - cramps), endometriosis, fever, forgetfulness, gallstones (cholelithiasis), gastritis, goiter, headache, hepatitis (b or c), hepato-cirrhosis, herpes, hyperlipidemia, hyperthyroidism, hypochondriac pain, impotence (erectile dysfunction), indigestion, infertility, irregular menstruation, irritable bowel syndrome (ibs), leukorrhea, liver cancer - hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc), meniere's disease, mumps, neurasthenia, neuritis, neurosis, pancreatitis, pneumothorax, raynaud's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (sle), trauma, and/or ulcerative colitis.

The above issues are common examples. In clinical situations, however, there are any number of other possibilities. Many times there will be a layered combination of issues intermixed from a variety of causal patterns in TCM terms. While initially complex, this is illustrative of the the web of relationships that Chinese Medicine is designed to approach.

General TCM Diagnostic Signs

Tongue: Normal.
Pulse: Wiry.

Treatment approaches are often akin to unravelling an onion, with the goal of resolving the root factor involved in the constellation of resulting issues. The current and historical array of issues and signs must be taken into consideration as well as the timing of the onset of each individual aspect.

Related Acupuncture Protocols

When developing an acupuncture protocol a practitioner is very often focusing on the causal diagnoses in Chinese Medicine terms, not on the condition itself. To guide you towards treatment potentials, liver qi stagnation is referenced in the following acupuncture protocol sections:

• View EX Huatuojiaji at T9 (Sides of Spine at T9)
  
      .5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of T9
  
      T9 (Left) innervates the stomach and is used for a range of digestive issues including gas, bloating, ulcers and heartburn as well as stomach cancer. T9 (Right) innervates the liver and is used for a range of physical liver as well as liv…
• View HT 3 (Lesser Sea)
  
      With the elbow flexed, between the ulnar end of the cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
  
      Pain, numbness, tremors, etc. of the lower arms a/or hands - Parkinson's, stroke. Good local point to move the Qi and Blood. Spirit disorders from phlegm a/or heat etiologies - epilepsy, depression, anxiety, nervousness, poor memory, fuz…
• View HT 4 (Spirit Pathway)
  
      1.5 cun above the wrist crease on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon, on the HT 3 - HT 7 line.
  
      Sudden loss of voice. Restless Zang Disorder (fluctuating emotions, mania, depression, anxiety, insomnia), various emotional disturbances. Chest pain that perhaps worsens with emotional distress. Local point for pain in the elbow and/or…
• View KD 21 (Dark Gate)
  
      6 cun above CV 8, .5 cun lateral to CV 14.
  
      Local point for abdominal and intestinal pain and functional issues. Reflux, vomiting, food stagnation, dystenary - harmonizes stomach. Liver stagnation affecting the breasts - insufficient lactation, breast distention.
• View LI 17 (Celestial Tripod)
  
      On the lateral side of the neck, 1 cun below LI 18 on the posterior border of the SCM.
  
      Sore throat, loss of voice, sensation of something "stuck" in the throat ("plum pit qi"). Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Used to effect the circulation within the carotid artery.  The left side is used more for physical complaints and the r…
• View LI 18 (Protuberance Assistant)
  
      Level with the tip of the Adam's Apple between the sternal and clavicular heads of the SCM.
  
      Window of the Sky Point for sudden loss of voice with qi obstruction in the throat. High blood pressure, for which Window of the Sky Points are sometimes indicated, may also be useful for low blood pressure. Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: …
• View SI 11 (Celestial Gathering)
  
      On the scapula in a depression at the center of the infrascapular fossa, found at the junction of the upper and middle …
  
      Breast problems, mastitis, insufficient lactation, breast pain. Emotional issues, anxiety that presents with asthma, expands and relaxes the chest, asthma generally. Local point for channel pain within the shoulder, scapula region, elbow…
• View SP 13 (Bowel Abode)
  
      .7 cun laterosuperior to SP 12 and 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline (between CV 2 and CV 3).
  
      Abdominal pain, abdominal masses (fibroids, cysts, etc.), hernia, thigh pain - regulates the liver, qi, and alleviates pain.
• View SP 18 (Celestial Ravine)
  
      6 cun lateral to the anterior midline in the 4th inter-costal space.
  
      Descends qi - chest oppression, shortness of breath, cough, hiccup, running piglet disorder. Opens the chest and circulation in the breasts - breast pain, insufficient lactation.
• View ST 9 (Man's Prognosis)
  
      Level with the tip of the Adam's Apple on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle (where the pulse of …
  
      In ancient times the ST Qi was assessed by palpating the pulse here and at ST 42. Regulation of Blood Pressure - lowering high blood pressure. Headache, dizziness. Sore throat, counterflow qi (vomiting), coughing, hiccups. Acute lumbar…
• View ST 15 (Roof)
  
      4 cun lateral to the AML in the 2nd ICS.
  
      Asthma, chest oppression, fullness a/or pain in the chest. Breast pain, distention, mastitis, abscess. General pain, heaviness and/or itching of the whole body.
• View ST 16 (Breast Window)
  
      4 cun lateral to the AML in the 3rd ICS.
  
      Chest tightness a/or pain, asthma, cough. Breast pain, abscess, mastitis. Swelling of the lips (with LV 3).
• View ST 18 (Breast Root)
  
      4 cun lateral to the AML in the 5th ICS.
  
      Any issues with the breasts - mastitis, pain/swelling, insufficient lactation. Chest tightness/oppression, asthma, cough.
• View ST 25 (Celestial Pivot)
  
      2 cun lateral to the AML level with CV 8.
  
      All intestinal issues - constipation, diarrhea, dysentary, distention, pain, masses/accumulations of any type. Irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, fibroids/cysts, fertility issues and leukorrhea. Connects the Upper and Lower Wa…
• View ST 26 (Outer Mound)
  
      2 cun lateral to the AML level with CV 7.
  
      Abdominal pain, bloating, hernias. Menstrual issues - dysmenorrhea (cramps/painful menstruation), amenorrhea (absense of menstruation), irregular cycles.
• View ST 27 (Great Gigantic)
  
      2 cun lateral to the AML level with CV 5.
  
      Beneficial for multiple genito-urinary issues in men - impotence (erectile dysfunction), seminal emission, premature ejaculation, difficult urination, etc. Irregular menstruation. Abdominal pain, bloating, hernia. Fear/fright with palpi…
• View UB 14 (Jue Yin Shu (Pericardium Shu))
  
      1.5 cun lateral to the GV line, level with T4.
  
      For all heart conditions: palpitations, anxiety, stress, etc. Combine with PC 6 to open the chest (as in the case of plum pit qi).  This chest pain can be psycho-emotional (i.e. liver/heart system related in Chinese Medicine terms), or it …
• View UB 16 (Governing Shu)
  
      1.5 cun lateral to GV 10, level with T6.
  
      Hot a/or toxic skin conditions (esp. on the back): acne, boils, psoriasis, alopecia. Harmonizes the qi in the chest and abdomen - epigastric pain, abdominal distention, borborygmus. Chest / Cardiac pain - unbinds the chest.
• View UB 18 (Liver Shu)
  
      1.5 cun lateral to GV 8, level with T9.
  
      Main point for all Liver related conditions in TCM terms - physical and psycho-emotional. Physical liver issues such as - hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis.  Generalized blood stagnation, qi stagnation, etc. Brightens the eyes - important p…
• View UB 31 (Upper Bone Hole)
  
      On the sacrum at the midpoint of the PSIS and the PML, level with the 1st PSF.
  
      UB 31, UB 32, UB 33 & UB 34 together form the "Eight Liao" points and are all useful for local low back a/or sacrum problems and most genital and urinary related disorders. Of these UB 32 is most often used clinically. As it quickens …