Liver Invading the Spleen

Signs:

Etiology/Pathology:

Long term emotional problems cause Liver Qi to stagnate, which will eventually invade the Spleen. Other attributing factors include, overwork and irregular diet, which cause Spleen Qi to become Deficient. Liver is responsible for smooth flow of Qi throughout the entire body. When Qi stagnates in the abdomen it disturbs the Spleen's function of transformation and transportation.

This pattern can also be described as the Liver and Spleen not being harmonized, or Liver attacks the Spleen.

In the 8 principles diagnosis, this is excess and deficiency mixed (Qi Stagnation is excess and Spleen Qi Deficiency is deficiency)

In Five Elements, this is "Wood attacking Earth"

Either the Excess Qi Stagnation or the deficiency of the Spleen can be predominate in this pattern. In both cases, the Qi Stagnation causes distention in the abdominal region. When stagnation of Liver Qi predominates there is constipation with dry and pebble like stools, the Liver Qi is in excess and actively invading the Spleen. There would be marked abdominal distention and more pain.

When Spleen Qi Deficiency predominates, there is diarrhea or loose stools because the Spleen Qi is deficient and cannot withstand the Liver Qi (the focus here is on the deficiency). There would only be slight abdominal pain in this case. When the liver attacks the Spleen, it is common to have alternating constipation and diarrhea.

The tongue landscape varies according to which pattern predominates.

Treatment Principle:

General: Harmonize Liver and Tonify Spleen
Acupuncture: Sedate Points that harmonize the Liver and tonify Points that increase the Spleen energy

Points:

Liver Invading the Stomach

Signs:

Pulse: Weak Stomach pulse (middle right), Wiry Liver pulse (middle left)

Etiology/Pathology:

Emotional problems over long time causing Liver Qi to stagnate, plus irregular diet and overwork, weakening Stomach Qi.
Stagnation of Liver Qi invades Stomach and interferes with Stomach Qi descending. Stomach Qi then rebels upward causing belching, nausea and vomiting. Stomach cannot "rot and ripen" food, hence fullness in epigastrium and sour regurgitation. Stagnation of Liver Qi causes distention, pain, irritability. Tongue varies according to whether the Stagnation predominates or the Deficient Stomach Qi predominates.

Treatment Principle:

General: Harmonize Liver and Tonify Stomach
Acupuncture: Sedate Points that harmonize the Liver. Tonify Points that tonify Stomach.

Points:

Liver Fire Injuring the Lungs

Signs:

Tongue: Red, redder on sides, swollen in front, yellow coat
Pulse: Wiry and Slippery

Etiology/Pathology:

The Liver controls the smooth flow of Qi. This influences the descending function of the Lungs. When Liver Qi stagnates over long period of time, it gives rise to Liver Fire, which rebels upwards toward chest, causes hypochondriac fullness, stuffiness in the chest, and prevents the Lung Qi from descending. Rising Liver Fire can also create headache, dizziness, red face, thirst, bitter taste, scanty dark urine, constipation, blood tinged sputum, and deep red Tongue color on sides, all which are excess heat signs.

In Five Elements, this is "Wood insults Metal"

Etiology: Anger and repressed Emotions cause Liver Qi to stagnate. After a long period of time, Liv Qi stagnation turns into Liver Fire. This is worsened by excessive consumption of hot and greasy foods; these create Heat.

Treatment Principle:

General: Clear Liver Fire, Harmonize Liver Qi, Descend Lung Qi
Acupuncture: Sedate

Points:

Spleen and Lung Deficiency

Signs:

Tongue: Pale
Pulse: Empty, especially on the right

Etiology/Pathology:

The Spleen and Lungs are both vital to Qi production and mutually influence each other. It is said, "The Spleen is the source of Qi, and the Lungs are the pivot of Qi". Poor diet, such as excess cold food or drink may weaken Spleen which may fail to send enough Food Qi to Lungs. Poor breathing, lack of exercise, bending over desks and impairing movement in chest weaken Lung Qi which may then result in a lack of production of Zhen Qi (also called True Qi = Ying and Wei Qi)

Treatment Principle:

General: Tonify Lung and Spleen Qi

Points:

Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency

Signs:

Tongue: Pale with paler sides, orange sides in severe cases
Pulse: Choppy

Pathology

Food Qi produced by Spleen is the basis for formation of Blood. When the Spleen Qi is deficient, not enough Blood is produced. The Liver stores the Blood, so deficient Blood results in lack of Blood in Liver, hence the dizziness, numbness and pale/orange color of the sides of the Tongue.

Etiology/Pathology:

Usually due to poor diet, lack of nourishment, or excessive cold/raw foods.

Treatment Principle:

Tonify Spleen Qi, nourish Blood, tonify Liver Blood

Points

Method

Spleen Dampness with Liver Stagnation

Signs:

Tongue: Thick, sticky, yellow coat
Pulse: Wiry and Slippery

Etiology/Pathology:

Deficient Spleen fails to transform/transport fluids, which accumulate to form Dampness. Dampness obstructs Qi flow in Middle Burner and interferes with Qi flow (Spleen Qi should ascend and Stomach Qi should descend), and smooth flow of Liver Qi in middle burner. Eventually, obstruction of Dampness turns into Heat. Dampness obstructs the smooth flow of Liver Qi and bile. Liver Qi stagnates in Middle burner and Gallbladder cannot secrete bile. Over-consumption of greasy foods that cause Dampness in Spleen plus any of the causes of Liver Qi Stagnation (Emotions).

Treatment Principle:

Points:

Turbid Phlegm Affecting the Head

Signs:

Tongue

Pulse

Etiology/Pathology:

This pattern develops from Spleen Dampness.
It is often associated with hypertension due to obstruction by Phlegm & Dampness.

Treatment Principle:

General: Transform Phlegm, open chest, pacify Stomach
Acupuncture: Sedate

Points:

If accompanied by hypertension: