acupuncture sessions and three 5-packet courses of decoctions.Liver-Qi Invading the Stomach
Clinical Manifestations
Epigastric distension and pain radiating towards the right or left hypochondrium, belching,
sighing, irritability, uncomfortable feeling of hunger. The pain comes in bouts clearly related to
emotional tension.
Tongue: normal body colour or slightly Red sides.
Pulse: Wiry. It may be Wiry only on the left side.
This is an extremely common cause of epigastric pain. Stagnant Liver-Qi "invades" the Stomach
horizontally and impairs the descending of Stomach-Qi. This results in stagnation of Qi in the
Stomach and epigastric pain. From the 5-Element perspective it is called "Wood overacting on
Earth". Liver-Qi stagnation is usually due to emotional problems such as anger, resentment or
frustration.
Treatment Principle
Soothe the Liver and regulate Qi.
Acupuncture
General Prescription
LIV-14 Qimen, P-6 Neiguan, ST-21 Liangmen, Ren-12 Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli, G.B.-34
Yanglingquan. Reducing or even method.
Explanation
- LIV-14 is specific to harmonize Liver and Stomach.
- P-6 regulates Liver-Qi, harmonizes the Stomach, subdues rebellious Stomach-Qi and
calms the mind. - ST-21 stimulates the descending of Stomach-Qi, especially in Excess patterns.
- Ren-12 and ST-36 tonify Stomach-Qi. Strengthening Stomach-Qi prevents its being
invaded by the Liver.