Ask The Doctor | Donate

back to conditions index

BREAST DISTENTION AND PAIN, PREMENSTRUAL BREAST DISTENTION

GENERAL

Clinical Manifestations	Breast distention may occur premenstrually or during menstruation.
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points	LIV-14, REN-17, ST-16, ST-18, ST-34 With nipple pain: + LIV-2 With Liver Qi Stagnation: + LIV-3, PC-6 With Liver Fire: + LIV-2 With Kidney Deficiency: + KI-3, UB-23 With Deficiency Cold of the Chong and Ren: + moxa or moxa needle REN-4 With Fire Flaring: + PC-8, UB-15 For Blood stagnation in the breast with a pricking pain through to the back: + UB-14, UB-17 With Phlegm Obstructing the Jing-Luo: + ST-36, ST-40

LIVER QI STAGNATION

Clinical Manifestations	Breast distention and pain before and during menses Distention and pain radiating to the sides or flanks or Distention and pain in the chest or hypogastrium Suffocating sensation in the chest Tendency to sigh Melancholy Depression Irritability Inappropriate anger Irregular menses Dysmenorrhea Lower abdominal distention Maybe infertility T: Pink or Slightly dark C: Thin and white P: Wiry
Treatment Principle	Soothe the Liver Clear Stagnation
Herb Formulas	Xiao Yao San modified Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang Premenstrual Breast Distention #1 Premenstrual Breast Distention #2 With Phlegm and Heat: Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang modified
Points	LIV-3, LIV-14, PC-6, REN-17, ST-18, ST-34 GB-40, GB-41, LIV-2, LIV-3, LIV-4, LIV-5, LIV-13, LIV-14, PC-6, SJ-6, SP-6, UB-18

LIVER QI STAGNATION: PHLEGM AND QI STAGNANT AND BLOCKED

Clinical Manifestations	Feeling of obstruction in throat as if a slice of roast meat were stuck there which cannot be coughed up nor swallowed down. This sensation becomes more prominent during emotional upset and subsides when relaxed Distention and pain in the sides or flanks Suffocating sensation in the chest Tendency to sigh Melancholy Depression Irritability Inappropriate anger Irregular menses Dysmenorrhea Breast distention and pain before and during menses T: Pink C: Thin and white P: Slippery and wiry (slippery due to Phlegm)
Treatment Principle	Spread Qi Resolve Phlegm
Herb Formulas	Ban Xia Hou Po Tang Premenstrual Breast Distention #2 modified
Points	LI-18, LIV-3, PC-5, SI-17, SJ-6

LIVER QI STAGNATION INVADES THE STOMACH

Clinical Manifestations	Breast distention and pain before and during menses Epigastric pain (worse when emotionally upset) Belching with acid regurgitation Intermittent clamoring Stomach which changes with emotions Frequnt belching Nausea Vomiting Intermittent acid regurgitation Anorexia Epigastric distention Distention and pain in the sides or flanks Suffocating sensation in the chest Tendency to sigh Melancholy Depression Irritability Inappropriate anger Irregular menses Dysmenorrhea T: Pink C: Thin and white P: Wiry or Wiry and slippery
Treatment Principle	Soothe the Liver Harmonize the Stomach
Herb Formulas	Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang Zuo Jin Wan Xiao Yao San modified Hei Xiao Yao San Combined with Dampness: Qi Yu Tang
Points	LIV-3, LIV-14, PC-6, REN-12

LIVER QI STAGNATION INVADES THE SPLEEN

Clinical Manifestations	Abdominal distention and pain Gas Borborygmus Diarrhea Distention and pain in the sides or flanks Suffocating sensation in the chest Tendency to sigh Melancholy Depression Irritability Inappropriate anger Women: Irregular menses Dysmenorrhea Breast distention and pain before and during menses T: Pink C: White and greasy P: Slippery and wiry
Treatment Principle	Soothe the Liver Invigorate the Spleen
Herb Formulas	Xiao Yao San Hei Xiao Yao San
Points	LIV-3, LIV-13, SP-6, ST-25, ST-36, ST-37

LIVER QI STAGNATION WITH DAMP-HEAT

Clinical Manifestations	Premenstrual breast distention and pain Premenstrual chest oppression Heart vexation Easily angered Dry mouth Vexatious Heat in the chest and epigastrium Lower abdominal aching and pain Possible vaginal itching Possible excessive yellow vaginal discharge T: Red C: Thin and yellow P: Wiry and rapid
Treatment Principle	Dredge the Liver Resolve Stagnation clear Heat Dispel Dampness
Herb Formulas	Jia Wei Xiao Yao San Yi Huang Tang San Miao Wan modified Premenstrual Breast Distention #2 modified
Points

LIVER QI STAGNATION WITH FIRE FLARING

Clinical Manifestations	Premenstrual breast distention Chest oppression Dry mouth A sensation of Heat internally Hypogastric pain or Pain over the ovaries Lower abdominal distention Turbid vaginal discharge T: Pale red C: Thin and yellow P: Wiry and slightly rapid
Treatment Principle	Dredge the Liver Regulate Qi Clear Heat
Herb Formulas	Premenstrual Breast Distention #1 modified Premenstrual Breast Distention #2 modified
Points

LIVER QI STAGNATION WITH QI DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations	Premenstrual breast distention Chest oppression Poor appetite Nauseaq Abdominal disgtention or A bearing down sensation in the hypogastrium Pain in the ovaries Possible diarrhea or Possible constipation Flatulence Belching Craving for sweets cold extremities Fatigue Water retention T: Pale and puffy C: Thin and white P:Thready and wiry
Treatment Principle	Regulare Qi Dredge the Liver Tonify Qi Benefit the Spleen
Herb Formulas	Premenstrual Breast Distention #1 modified
Points

LIVER QI STAGNATION WITH BLOOD DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations	Premenstrual breast distention Dizziness Pale complexion Long menstrual cycle Scant, pale menstrual discharge T: Purple C: Scant P: Thready and wiry
Treatment Principle	Regulare Qi Dredge the Liver Nourish the Blood
Herb Formulas	Premenstrual Breast Distention #1 modified Xiao Yao San Premenstrual Breast Distention #2
Points

LIVER QI STAGNATION WITH DEFICIENCY COLD OF THE CHONG AND REN

Clinical Manifestations	Breast distention and pain Premenstrual Heart vexation Chaotic thoughts Spiritual exhaustion Insideous lower abdominal pain with a cool sensatin T: Pale C: Thin and white P: Thready and slow
Treatment Principle	Dredge the Liver Resolve Stagnation Nourish the Uterus Scatter Cold
Herb Formulas	Jia Wei Xiao Yao San modified Premenstrual Breast Distention #1 modified
Points

LIVER QI STAGNATION WITH KIDNEY YANG DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations	Premenstrual breast distention Chest oppression Lower back pain and weakness Weak lower limbs Lack of sexual desire Generally late menarche (between the ages of 16 and 21) T: Pale C: Scant P: Deep and wiry
Treatment Principle	Dredge the Liver Resolve Stagnation Tonify the Kidneys Warm Yang
Herb Formulas	Premenstrual Breast Distention #1 modidi
Points

LIVER QI AND BLOOD STAGNATION

Clinical Manifestations	Breast distention and pain before and during menses Premenstrual Heart vexation Occasional breast nodulation Facial color dark and dull Emaciation Sides and ribs distended on both sides (maybe with sharp pain) Enlargement of the Liver and Spleen Suffocating sensation in chest Tendency to sigh Melancholy Depression Irritability Inappropriate anger Irregular menses Possible scanty, rough menstruation Dark purple menstrual Blood with clots Dysmenorrhea Lower abdominal distention and pain which is worse with pressure T: Dark purple (maybe purple spots on edge of tongue) C: White P: Wiry, choppy and slow or Wiry andslippery
Treatment Principle	Activate Blood circulation Soften hardness
Herb Formulas	Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang Shi Xiao San Jia Wei Xiao Yao San + Tao Hong Si Wu Tang modified
Points	LIV-3, LIV-13, LIV-14, SP-6, UB-17

LIVER BLOOD STAGNATION WITH HEART BLOOD AND SPLEEN QI DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations	Mild, insideous breast pain or Slight sensations of breast distention Premenstrual chest oppression Heart vexation with chaotic thoughts Palpitations Dizziness Insomnia Excessive dreams Lack of strength in the entire body Spiritual exhaustion Poor appetite Excessive, pasty, white vaginal discharge T: Pale with teethmarks C: Thin and white P: Thready and wiry
Treatment Principle	Dredge the Liver Tonify the Spleen Resolve Dampness Harmonize the Stomach Nourish the Heart Calm the Shen
Herb Formulas	Gui Pi Tang modified
Points

LIVER AND STOMACH FIRE

Clinical Manifestations	Premenstrual breast distention Irritating pain in the breast during menstruation An itching or tickling sensation or a mucoid discharge from the nipple A sensation of Heat in the area of the breast Dizziness distention or constriction of the chest and flanks Severe, splitting headaches with dizziness Sudden tinnitus or Sudden deafness Flushed face Red, swollen, painful eyes Irascibility with violent angry outbursts Dry mouth Bitter taste in mouth Thirst Vomiting sour or bitter liquid Insomnia Restlessness Constipation or dry stools Maybe rib pain Hematemesis Burning Heat and pain in the epigastrium Irritating thirst: drinks copious fluids and prefers cold drinks Excessive appetite: hungry again quickly after eating (as if food vanishes) Swelling, pain, ulceration and bleeding of gums Foul breath Toothache Maybe vomiting right after eating Vomiting acid or undigested food Constipation Maybe scanty, red urine Maybe infertility Maybe excessive leukorrhea T: Red or Red tip and edges or Scarlet C: Thick, yellow and dry and rough P: Slippery, big, excess and rapid or Wiry, excess and rapid
Treatment Principle	Clear Heat and Fire
Herb Formulas	Jia Wei Xiao Yao San modified
Points	LIV-2, LIV-14, PC-7, REN-17, ST-18, ST-34

LIVER AND KIDNEY DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations	Premenstrual breast distention Mild, insideous pain Chest oppression Heart vexation with chaotic thoughts Dizziness Tinnitus Low Back and knee pain and weakness Lack of strength T: Pale C: Little P: Deep and wiry
Treatment Principle	Dredge the Liver Tonify the Spleen Tonify and Nourish the Liver and Kidneys
Herb Formulas	Jia Wei Xiao Yao San modified
Points

QI, BLOOD AND PHLEGM STAGNATION

Clinical Manifestations	Premenstrual breast distention Mild, insideous pain Chest oppression Heart vexation with chaotic thoughts Dizziness Tinnitus Low Back and knee pain and weakness Lack of strength T: Pale C: Little P: Deep and wiry
Treatment Principle	Dredge the Liver Tonify the Spleen Tonify and Nourish the Liver and Kidneys
Herb Formulas	Jia Wei Xiao Yao San modified Shi Liu Wei Liu Yin
Points