↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Chest distension worse with stress; frequent sighing; belching gives relief; rib-side discomfort; irritability.
Tongue: Normal, thin white coat; sides may be dusky. Pulse: Wiry at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Courses the Liver, resolves constraint and moves Qi to relieve pain.
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Qi-stagnation-in-the-Pericardium slide, the closest chest-focused match.
Clinical manifestations: Cough with copious white sticky phlegm; chest heaviness; poor appetite with bloating; fatigue; nausea; worse in damp weather.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, tooth-marked, thick white greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery, like rolling beads.
Treatment principle: Dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Note: moxa is appropriate.
3. Phlegm in the Chest
Clinical manifestations: Heavy, stuffy chest sensation; cough with abundant white sticky phlegm; nausea or phlegm vomiting.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, tooth-marked, thick white greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery with a wiry quality.
Treatment principle: Unblocks Yang in the chest, resolves Phlegm, regulates Qi and widens the chest.
Note: Mixed Deficiency/Excess. This site's decks have no Phlegm-in-the-Chest slide — no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: Stabbing or pricking chest pain in a fixed location, worse at night; purple or dark lips and nails; cold hands; emotional stress triggers symptoms.
Tongue: Dark purple, stasis spots, thin white coat. Pulse: Choppy or knotted.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis, moves Qi and opens the chest.
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Heart-Blood-stasis slide.
Clinical manifestations: Distending sensation under the ribs; frequent sighing; worse with emotional stress; irritability or mood swings.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark, red or slightly purple sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry and taut.
Treatment principle: Courses the Liver, resolves constraint and moves Qi.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Dull, oppressive tightness (not sharp); worse with exertion or talking; palpitations; fatigue; pale complexion; reluctance to speak; spontaneous daytime sweating.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, thin white coat; possible midline crack toward the tip. Pulse: Empty or weak, especially at the left front position.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi, generates fluids, nourishes Yin and strengthens the Heart.
Note: moxa is appropriate.