Hypochondriac Pain

Pain in the hypochondriac region is usually due to Qi stagnation, blood stasis, liver yin deficiency or external pathogen invasions according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. The pain can be on one or both sides of the abdomen and have a distended, stabbing, fixed or dull quality.

Western medicine differentiation of Hypochondriac Pain 

– hepatitis, Gallbladder pleura infections, intercostals neuralgia (more common in women) 

Chinese Medicine Differentiation of Hypochondriac Pain 

– controlled by Liver (Qi stagnation, emotions), may also be caused by injury or Blood Stasis, Damp/Heat i.e. jaundice, poor diet, or Liver Yin deficiency.

Excess Liver Qi Stagnation Hypochondriac pain which moves, pain aggravated by stress and emotion Tongue - red Pulse - wiry

Principle of Treatment: spread liver qi, harmonize the blood and alleviate pain

Acupuncture points – sedate, foot jueyin and shaoyang, Liver 14, 3, SJ 6, Gall bladder 34 (soothe Liver Gallbladder), Stomach 36 - nausea – Ren 12 - Blood Stasis– Bladder 17, Spleen 6, 21 - Damp/Heat– Pericardium 6, Ren 12, Stomach 44

Herbal Medicine Formula: Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang

Blood Stasis Hypochondriac pain which is fixed and is aggravated at night Tongue - purple Pulse - wiry

Principle of Treatment: promote blood circulation and remove stasis in collaterals

Herbal Medicine Formula: Xuan Fu Hua Tang

Damp Heat Invasion Hypochondria pain with bitter taste, aversion to cold, fever, fullness in chest, nauseous, vomit, possible jaundice Tongue - red, yellow greasy coat Pulse - rapid

Principle of Treatment: clear liver heat, induce diresis to eliminate dampness

Herbal Medicine Formula: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Deficiency Liver Yin Deficiency Hypochondriac pain which is dull and chronic, blurred vision, dull/pale complexion Tongue - pale Pulse - thin, rapid

Principle of Treatment: nourish liver Qi

Acupuncture points – tonify and sedate, foot jueyin, Shu, Bladder 18, 23, Liver 14 and 2 (soothe Liver Qi, deficient Heat), Stomach 36 and Spleen 6 (Produce Qi and blood) - dizziness – Du 20, Gall bladder 20

Herbal Medicine Formula: Yi Guan Jian

Alternative Treatment Methods for Hypochondriac Pain 

Ear Acupuncture – LR, GB, shenmen, chest, medium to strong stimulation

injection – Hua Tou Jia Ji with corresponding painful ribs, keep needle just above where sensation occurs and inject vitamin B12 or 10% glucose

electro Acupuncture– add to points chosen, continuous mild frequency, 105 minutes

7 star Needling – on ashi points (Blood Stasis) then cup, also try scrapping