Long-term stagnation of Liver-Qi often leads to Liver-Fire. Although Liver-Fire normally rises,
it may also infuse downwards to the Bladder and cause Painful-Urination Syndrome with intense
burning pain. When would Liver-Fire infuse downwards rather than flare upwards as it is in its
nature to do? If someone stands for long periods of time or lifts heavy weights every day, Qi
stagnates in the Lower Burner and the emotional stress which would normally make Liver-Fire
flare up, will instead make it infuse downwards.
Triple Burner
The Triple Burner is responsible for keeping Qi and Water passages open at all stages of the
process of Qi and fluids metabolism. In the Lower Burner, it ensures the smooth and free
opening and patency of the Water passages. "Excretion" and "free passage" are the key words
used in the "Simple Questions" to describe the function of the Triple Burner with regard to
fluids. The Lower Burner is compared to a "ditch" through which fluids are excreted: "The Triple
Burner is the official in charge of irrigation and it controls the Water passages."9(421)
Qi stagnation or Dampness affect the Lower Burner and cause urinary dysfunction and
Painful-Urination Syndrome.
Small Intestine
The Small Intestine separates clear fluids from turbid ones and sends the latter to the Bladder.
Thus, there is a direct connection between the Small Intestine and the Bladder, also confirmed by
their channels' connection within the Greater-Yang channels.
In disease, Small Intestine Fire may affect the Bladder causing Heat Painful-Urination
Syndrome. Small Intestine Fire, in turn, may derive from Heart-Fire. It is because of this
connection between the Heart and Small Intestine that Heart-Fire may cause some types of Heat
Painful-Urination Syndrome.
Syndromes
There are six types of Painful-Urination Syndrome which will be discussed in detail below. All
types are manifested with difficulty and pain on urination (which may radiate to the
hypogastrium), dribbling of urine, sacral ache and frequency of micturition.
The six types of Painful-Urination Syndrome are:
Heat Painful-Urination Syndrome
Stone Painful-Urination Syndrome