Rib Pain - Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for rib pain with
Rib Pain · Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 6 min
Body Area: Chest
Pattern Overview
Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat is a pattern in rib pain, characterized by
**cholecystitis-related pain, burning pain, bitter taste, and
irritability. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in
the Liver and Gallbladder meridians**, causing biliary inflammation,
increased pressure, and referred pain to the right rib area.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
taste, irritability |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
constipation, fever |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
rapid pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
inflammation and rib pain |
| Etiology |
|---|
cholecystitis |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| LR3 Taichong |
|---|
metatarsals | Source point of Liver meridian; clears Liver Heat |
| GB34 Yanglingquan | Depression below the head of the fibula |
|---|
He-Sea point of Gallbladder meridian; clears Gallbladder Heat |
| LR14 Qimen |
|---|
nipple | Front-Mu point of Liver meridian; treats rib and chest pain |
| SP9 Yinlingquan | Below the medial condyle of the tibia |
|---|
Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; may
combine with pricking at LR14 to drain Damp-Heat.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (龙胆泻肝汤)
Composition:
Gentian Root (Long Dan Cao), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Gardenia (Zhi Zi),
Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Alisma (Ze Xie), Akebia (Mu Tong), Angelica (Dang
Gui), Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Plantago (Che Qian Zi), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Clears Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat, drains Fire, and
detoxifies.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Severe burning pain |
|---|
detoxify |
| Nausea and vomiting |
|---|
Qi and stop vomiting |
| Constipation | Add Da Huang to drain and purge heat |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
Cholecystitis-related pain with biliary inflammation, increased
pressure, and referred pain to the right rib area. Liver-Gallbladder
Damp-Heat corresponds to biliary pain, often seen in cholecystitis or
cholangitis, where biliary inflammation and increased pressure cause
referred pain to the right hypochondrium.
References
1. Textbook Standard.
2. WHO. (2023). Musculoskeletal pain. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com –
Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for chest pain
relief.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM digestive health.
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Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.