↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Sudden chest pain or tightness after a stressful event; distension along the ribs; frequent sighing; irritability; a lump-in-the-throat sensation.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark with red sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry, taut, especially at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Releases stagnant Liver Qi to restore smooth chest flow and descend rebellious Lung Qi.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Shallow breathing with difficulty inhaling deeply; shortness of breath worsening with exertion; lower back soreness; fatigue; spontaneous sweating with activity.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, teeth-marked, thin white moist coat. Pulse: Deep, weak, especially feeble at the rear position.
Treatment principle: Strengthens Kidney Qi to restore its grasping function, stabilize chest Qi and rebuild constitutional reserves.
Note: moxa is strongly indicated.
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing chest pain worse at night and with pressure; dark or dusky lips and nails.
Tongue: Purple or dusky with stasis spots, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Choppy, like scraping bamboo, sometimes wiry.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis to ease pain and prevent tissue fragility; moves Qi to address underlying constraint.
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Liver-Blood-stasis slide per the discoloration-marker rule.
Clinical manifestations: Chest and rib pain worsened by coughing or turning; shortness of breath with inability to lie flat; preference to recline on the affected side only; a heavy, blocked sensation in the upper abdomen; thin white or watery sputum.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, white slippery or greasy excessively moist coat. Pulse: Deep, wiry, sometimes slippery.
Treatment principle: Transforms and drains phlegm-fluids to reduce chest pressure; descends rebellious Lung Qi to restore normal respiratory mechanics.
Note: moxa is inappropriate while fluid is active. Linked to this site's own Phlegm-Fluids-obstructing-the-Lungs slide.