Chest Distension in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different chest distension patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Overview
What causes it 10 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each chest distension pattern
Classical remedies 43 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches chest distension not just as a singular symptom but as a signal of underlying imbalances within the body’s energetic systems. TCM emphasizes understanding the specific pattern of disharmony causing the symptom. This holistic approach ensures that treatment is tailored to the individual’s unique constellation of signs and symptoms, aiming to restore balance and health by addressing the root causes rather than just the manifestation of distension.

TCM Patterns for Chest Distension

Phlegm

Causes: Chest fullness, Focal distention

9 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Coughing, Pale face, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness

Phlegm-Fluids
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Feeling of heaviness, Shortness of breath, Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Coughing,

Phlegm-Fluids in the Stomach and Small intestine
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Dry tongue, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Stomach splashing sound, Chest distension,

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat,

Phlegm-Heat
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention, Chest fullness

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Cold Phlegm
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention

Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Palpitations, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention

Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Profuse white sputum, Anorexia, Peptic ulcer,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Chest fullness, Focal distention, Feeling of fullness in the chest

6 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Coughing, Pale face, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Tight feeling in chest and stomach,

Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention, Feeling of fullness in the chest

Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Cold Phlegm
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention

Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Palpitations, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention

Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Profuse white sputum, Anorexia, Peptic ulcer,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Chest distension, Chest distention, Chest fullness, Feeling of fullness in the chest

5 variations documented
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with chest distension

Chest distension

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia, Depression,

Qi Stagnation in Chest
How it presents with chest distension

Chest distention, Chest fullness

Along with: Chest stiffness, Chest distension, Chest pain, Chest pain improve with massage, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Bleeding during pregnancy

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness, Feeling of fullness in the chest

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails,

Heart Qi Stagnation
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Depression

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Mild chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Heat

Causes: Chest fullness, Focal distention

4 variations documented
Half Exterior Half Interior
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Chest distension, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dry cough, Anxiety, Restlessness, Vomit,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat,

Phlegm-Heat
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention, Chest fullness

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention

Along with: Severe constipation, Excessive gas and flatulence, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Abdominal tightness, Pancreatitis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Chest fullness, Feeling of fullness in the chest

2 variations documented
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness, Feeling of fullness in the chest

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails,

Pericardium Blood Stagnation
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Palpitations, Chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Purple lips,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Chest fullness

2 variations documented
Pericardium Blood Deficiency
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Chest pain, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Focal distention, Feeling of fullness in the chest

2 variations documented
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention, Feeling of fullness in the chest

Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Cold Phlegm
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention

Along with: Nausea, Vomit, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Palpitations, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Focal distention, Feeling of fullness in the chest

1 variation documented
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention, Feeling of fullness in the chest

Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Chest fullness

1 variation documented
Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with chest distension

Chest fullness

Along with: Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Tight feeling in chest and stomach,

Wind

Causes: Focal distention, Feeling of fullness in the chest

1 variation documented
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
How it presents with chest distension

Focal distention, Feeling of fullness in the chest

Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Chest Distension

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address chest distension

Er Chen Tang

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Phlegm Dampness Heat Cold

Ren Shen Bai Du San

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Dampness Cold Qi Deficiency Wind

Xiao Yao San

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Qi Stagnation Blood Deficiency

Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Phlegm Dampness

Xiao Chai Hu Tang

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Heat Phlegm

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Dampness Summer Heat

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Qi Stagnation Blood Stasis

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Addresses these chest distension patterns:

Phlegm Dampness