Breast Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different breast pain patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Breast pain, also referred to medically as mastalgia, involves discomfort or pain in one or both breasts. This pain can range from mild discomfort to severe and can vary in its frequency and duration. The condition is not uncommon and can be influenced by various factors including hormonal changes, which often relate to menstrual cycles, or it might be associated with certain medical conditions or medications. Breast pain alone is generally not a sign of breast cancer; however, persistent pain warrants medical evaluation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches breast pain as a symptom indicative of underlying imbalances within the body’s energetic system. Unlike Western medicine that often focuses on localized treatment, TCM considers breast pain a reflection of systemic issues, particularly involving Qi (vital energy) and Blood flow.
The philosophy of TCM holds that effective treatment requires a thorough understanding of the root cause of the pain, identified through a detailed assessment of the body’s patterns of disharmony. This holistic approach aims to restore balance and ensure the smooth flow of Qi and blood throughout the body.
TCM Patterns for Breast Pain
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Breast pain
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Breast pain
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods, Melasma
Liver Qi Stagnation
Breast pain
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Irregular periods, Globus sensation, Pre menstrual breast distension, Pre menstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger, Melasma
Blood Stasis
Causes: Breast pain
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Breast pain
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods, Melasma
Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Breast pain
Along with: Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Lower abdominal pain, Umbilical pain, Breast engorgement, Anxiety
Heat
Causes: Breast pain
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
Breast pain
Along with: Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Thirst, Stomatitis, Periodontitis, Glossitis, Trigeminal neuralgia
Herbal Formulas for Breast Pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address breast pain
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Wu Yao Tang
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Moves Qi
- Stops pain
- Nourishes Liver Blood
- Eliminates Stagnation
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
- Tonifies Spleen
- Clears Deficient Heat
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Wei Jing Tang
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears heat from the Lungs
- Transforms Phlegm
- Drives out Blood-Stagnation
- Discharges pus
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Gua Lou San
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Remove breast carbuncle (mastitis) after birth giving
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Thirst...
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Transforms Blood Stasis
- Softens lumps
- Reduces fixed abdominal pain
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia...
Xia Ru Yong Quan San
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Increases breast milk supply
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Yue Ju Wan
Addresses these breast pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Addresses These Breast Pain Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Breast pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...