Symptoms
The main symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation are:
- Emotional fluctuations such as feeling tense, angry, irritable or depressed.
- Distention in the chest or breasts.
- Abdominal masses.
- Sighing.
- Hiccoughs.
- Plumstone throat.
- Constipation.
- Menstrual periods that are irregular, late and with Pre-menstrual tension.
- The pulse becomes wiry.
- The tongue can be normal or pale or may have a purple tinge to the edges.
Aetiology
The main aetiology for Liver Qi Stagnation is usually one with a strong emotional component such as long-standing frustration, resentment and anger.
Pathology
The main pathologies for Liver Qi Stagnation are:
- The smooth spreading of Qi is hindered leading to emotional fluctuations and in women to pre-menstrual tension.
- The flow of Qi to the Large Intestine is affected leading to constipation.
- If Liver Qi Stagnation becomes very strong it can invade the Spleen and Stomach.
- This is better visualised from a Five Element perspective in the controlling cycle:
- If the Liver Qi Stagnation becomes too dominant it can spread across this path and is said to the invade the Spleen and/or the Stomach.
- Liver Qi Stagnation leads to stagnation of Qi in middle Jiao causing distention in the hypochondriac region and also fluctuating abdominal masses.
- Sighing and hiccoughs are attempts to move stagnant Qi from chest area
- The Liver feeds the Ren Mai and the Chong Mai channels and stagnation of Liver Qi stops the smooth flow of Blood to these channels, leading to irregular and painful periods.
Treatment principle
The treatment principle for Liver Qi Stagnation is to move and regulate Liver Qi.
A point prescription for this treatment principle could be:
- Liver 3 promotes the smooth flow of Liver Qi.
- Large Intestine 4 is often combined with Liver 3 in a combination called The Four Gates to move Liver Qi Stagnation.
- San Jiao 5 subdues Liver Yang in combination with Gall Bladder 41.
- Bladder 18 benefits the Liver and moves stagnant Qi.
- San Jiao 6 regulates Liver Qi.
