Bloating/Abdominal Distension · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is a common pattern in bloating/abdominal distension, characterized by autonomic dysfunction, abdominal distension, belching, sighing, and aggravation with stress. The core pathogenesis is emotional stress causing Liver Qi stagnation, which impairs gastrointestinal motility and causes uneven gas distribution.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

Breast Hyperplasia · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Chest

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is the most common pattern in breast hyperplasia, characterized by estrogen-progesterone imbalance, breast pain and distension related to stress, palpable nodules, and premenstrual aggravation. The core pathogenesis is emotional stress causing Liver-Qi stagnation, leading to breast ductal and stromal hyperplasia, elevated estrogen, and elevated prolactin.

Chronic Abdominal Pain · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is a common pattern in chronic abdominal pain, characterized by stress-related visceral hypersensitivity, abdominal pain, distension, frequent sighing, and aggravation with stress. The core pathogenesis is emotional stress causing Liver-Qi stagnation, leading to autonomic dysfunction, altered gut motility, and visceral hypersensitivity.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome · Liver Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Liver Qi Stagnation is a common pattern in chronic fatigue syndrome, characterized by chronic stress-induced fatigue, HPA axis and autonomic dysfunction, and 5-HT/DA neurotransmitter imbalance. The core pathogenesis is chronic psychological stress causing Liver Qi stagnation, leading to Qi obstruction, systemic fatigue, and mood disturbance.

Chronic Pharyngitis · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is a common pattern in chronic pharyngitis, characterized by globus sensation (plum pit qi), foreign body sensation in the throat, aggravation with stress, chest tightness, and frequent sighing. The core pathogenesis is emotional stress causing Liver-Qi stagnation, leading to Phlegm-Qi obstruction in the throat and autonomic dysfunction.

Fibromyalgia · Liver Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Liver Qi Stagnation is a common pattern in fibromyalgia, characterized by central sensitization with depression, widespread pain related to stress, chest tightness, and frequent sighing. The core pathogenesis is chronic stress and emotional distress causing Liver Qi stagnation, leading to generalized pain, mood disturbance, and autonomic dysfunction.

Obesity · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is a common pattern in obesity, characterized by chronic stress-induced cortisol elevation, visceral fat accumulation, emotional eating, and abdominal obesity. The core pathogenesis is chronic stress causing Liver Qi stagnation, leading to cortisol elevation, visceral fat accumulation, and metabolic dysfunction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

PMS · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Pelvis

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is the most common pattern in PMS, characterized by luteal phase estrogen-progesterone imbalance, irritability, breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings. The core pathogenesis is luteal phase hormonal fluctuations causing Liver-Qi stagnation, leading to emotional symptoms, breast tenderness, and fluid retention.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

Rib Pain · Liver Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Chest

Pattern Overview

Liver Qi Stagnation is the most common pattern in rib pain, characterized by intercostal neuralgia, distending pain, worsening with stress, chest tightness, and frequent sighing. The core pathogenesis is emotional stress causing Liver Qi stagnation, which obstructs the meridians in the rib area, leading to distending pain and chest tightness.

Tension Headache · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is the most common pattern in tension headache, characterized by sustained pericranial muscle contraction, central sensitization, headache worsened by stress, chest tightness, and frequent sighing. The core pathogenesis is emotional stress causing Liver-Qi stagnation, leading to muscle tension, central sensitization, and headache.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

TMJ Pain · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is a common pattern in TMJ pain, characterized by stress-induced masticatory muscle hyperactivity, jaw pain, clicking, bruxism, irritability, and sleep disturbance. The core pathogenesis is emotional stress causing Liver-Qi stagnation, leading to masticatory muscle hyperactivity, bruxism, and TMJ dysfunction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |