↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Distending, pressure-like breast pain; lumps that change size with mood and the menstrual cycle; irritability, mood swings and frequent sighing; premenstrual breast tenderness and fullness.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark, red/purple sides, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, like a guitar string.
Treatment principle: Course the Liver and resolve constraint, smoothing Liver-Qi flow to relieve chest distension.
Note: no moxa. Direct match with
Liver-Qi stagnation — distension, moodiness and a Wiry pulse are shared.
2. Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Clinical manifestations: A heavy, dull ache or fullness in the breasts; lumps not strongly tied to the menstrual cycle; fatigue and a sluggish body; a poor appetite, bloating, loose stools; a greasy, sticky mouth sensation.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, teeth marks, thick white greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery, often Soft or Soggy.
Treatment principle: Transform and drain accumulated Phlegm-Dampness while strengthening Spleen function to prevent new fluid buildup.
Note: moxa applicable on the Tonify-Spleen point. No deck slide on this site matches this combined Phlegm-Dampness-in-the-breast picture, so no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: Stabbing pain in a fixed breast location; hard, immovable lumps feeling like stones; pain worse with pressure or touch; painful periods with dark, clotted blood; chest tightness and irritability.
Tongue: Dark purple with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Wiry, Choppy.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood and dispel stasis, breaking up congealed Blood to soften the lumps.
Note: no moxa. Matches
Liver-Blood stasis — dark, clotted menstrual blood and fixed pain are shared, gynecologically-framed hallmarks.
Clinical manifestations: Burning, painful breast lumps; a bitter taste in the mouth; intense irritability and a quick temper; a dry throat.
Tongue: Red, redder sides, dry yellow coating, possible red prickles. Pulse: Rapid, Wiry, Full, forceful.
Treatment principle: Clear Heat from the Liver and Blood, cooling the inflammatory process while coursing stagnant Qi.
Note: no moxa. Direct match with
Liver-Fire blazing — irritability, a bitter taste and a Red tongue with a dry yellow coating are shared.