Lung Patterns

Etiology

Lung patterns can be of either Excess or Deficiency. With Deficient patterns, Lung Qi Deficiency is more common than Lung Yin Deficiency. In Excess patterns, the Lungs are usually invaded by external pathogens, mostly Wind, Cold, and Heat.

Pathogens

Wind can combine with Cold or Heat to form Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat. Exogenous pathogenic factors commonly first attack the Wei Qi (defensive energy) and exterior of the body. This would result in exterior condition, as the Lungs have not yet been affected. Common symptoms such as fever, chills, aversion to Cold, aching, sneezing, and stuffy nose indicate the struggle between the Body's Wei Qi and the invading pathogen (such as external Wind Heat). As the condition worsens, the Lungs can easily become involved.

Dryness, both internal and external, can affect the lungs creating symptoms such as dry throat, cough, and dry skin (the Lungs control the skin).

Although uncommon, Dampness can combine with Wind causing an Exterior disorder with facial edema.

Diet

Excessive consumption of Cold and raw (salads, dairy, etc.) foods decreases the Spleen's ability to transform and transport nutrients. When the Spleen's ability is impaired, Internal Dampness and eventually Phlegm accumulates in the Body. In Chinese Medicine it is said that while the Spleen is the producer of Phlegm, the Lungs are the container for Phlegm.

Emotions

Both sadness and worry are associated with the Lungs. Chronic sadness disperses Qi and causes Lung Qi Deficiency. Chronic worry knots or ties up the Qi causing Stagnation of Qi in the chest.

Lifestyle

Activities (or non activities) that restrict movement of the chest and breathing such as being hunched over a desk in computer work, reading, or studying can deplete the Lung Qi. Excessive laziness and lounging can also weaken Lung Qi.

Lung Qi Deficiency

Signs

Pulse

Empty pulse

Tongue

Pale or normal tongue body

Etiology/Pathology

Chronic Lung problems may be hereditary, especially if a parent had Lung tuberculosis. There may be transverse cracks in Lung area and the Lung's pulse position may be more medial than normal.

Exterior Wind Cold or Wind Heat may remain in the body and eventually cause Lung Qi Deficiency. There is often a chronic cough following an exterior Wind Cold or Wind Heat invasion. This situation can be worsened when taking antibiotics for cold or flu, as they contain the Cold in the chest and interfere with Lung's dispersing & descending functions.

Lung Yin Deficiency

Signs

Tongue

Pulse

Etiology

  1. Lung Yin Deficiency can develop from prolonged Lung Qi Deficiency.
  2. Can be due to Stomach Yin Deficiency, which can be caused by irregular eating habits or diet.
  3. Can result from Kidney Yin Deficiency, which can be caused by chronic overwork.
  4. Can develop from Lung Dryness (from external or internal causes)

Treatment Principle

Points

Method

Tonify all Points except LU 10 which is sedated. No moxa.

Lung Dryness

Lung Dryness is characterized by signs of Dryness with deficient fluids, but it is not yet of Yin Deficiency. It could be considered less severe and a precursor to Lung Yin Deficiency.

Signs

Tongue

Pulse

Etiology/Pathology

Lung Dryness can be either Exterior or Interior. Exterior Dryness damages Lung fluids, such as in long periods of dry and hot weather. Internal Dryness can occur from Stomach Yin Deficiency (i.e. - from irregular eating times, irregular diet, etc.).

Treatment Principle

Points

Method

Invasion of Lungs by Wind Cold

Signs

Tongue

Pulse

Etiology/Pathology

  1. Environmental Wind and Cold can enter the body (to superficial or deep levels) depending on the strength of body's Wei Qi in relation to a pathogen.
  2. Artificial sources of Wind Cold, such as air conditioning can also cause Wind Cold.

Treatment Principle

Points

Method

Sedation; moxa applicable after needling.

Invasion of the Lungs by Wind Heat

Exterior pathogenic Wind combines with Heat and invades Lung Exterior portion (Lung Defensive Qi portion)

Signs

Tongue

Pulse

Etiology/Pathology

Treatment Principle

Points

Method

Sedate. No moxa. LU-11 can be bled for sore throat

Invasion of the Lungs by Wind-Water

This is an Exterior invasion of Wind-Cold and Damp pathogens. In addition to Wind-Cold signs, there are signs of Dampness as well. Because the Lung's function of controlling Water passages is impaired, this results in facial edema.

Signs

Tongue

Pulse

Etiology/Pathology

Exposure to exterior Wind-Cold and Dampness

Treatment Principle

Points

Method

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lungs

This is an Excess Interior Cold syndrome. While Phlegm is obstructing the Lungs, the pattern usually arises from chronic Spleen Deficiency with Dampness that eventually turns to Phlegm

Signs

Tongue

Pulse

Etiology/Pathology

Treatment Principle

Points

Method

Tonify BL-20 and REN-12, Sedate all other points.

Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lungs

This is an Excess Hot Interior condition. Lung Phlegm Heat is often chronic. The pattern is similar to Damp-Phlegm, but with the added component of Heat.

Signs

Tongue

Pulse

Etiology/Pathology

  1. Over-consumption of greasy and hot foods
  2. Smoking
  3. Exterior Wind Heat can weaken Lung Qi and leaves pathogenic Heat and Phlegm, which eventually become chronic.

Treatment Principle

Points

Method

Use even method on REN-12. Sedate all other points.

Phlegm-Fluids Obstructing the Lungs

Chronic condition where very watery, dilute & frothy Phlegm (Phlegm-Fluids) obstructs Lungs Only seen in old/middle aged people.

Signs

Tongue

Pulse

Treatment Principle

Points

Method