Chest Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different chest pain patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Chest pain, a common and often alarming symptom, can manifest in various forms, from sharp, stabbing pains to a persistent ache that encompasses the chest area. The experience of chest pain can greatly differ; some might feel an intense squeezing sensation that might suggest cardiac issues, while others experience a more generalized discomfort that can be caused by gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, or respiratory issues. Sub-symptoms include mild chest pain that doesn’t escalate but persists, adding to discomfort and anxiety about one’s health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives chest pain not just as a symptom but as a signal of deeper imbalances within the body’s energy system, or Qi. TCM teaches that chest pain often arises when Qi, the vital life force, becomes blocked. The proper flow of Qi and Blood through the body's meridians ensures health and vitality, while any disruption in this flow can lead to pain and illness. Therefore, identifying the precise pattern of disharmony—whether it be from Qi stagnation, blood stasis, or phlegm accumulation—is crucial for effective treatment in TCM.
TCM Patterns for Chest Pain
Blood Stasis
Causes: Chest pain, Stabbing chest pain
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Chest pain
Along with: Chest distension, 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
Heart Vessel obstructed
Chest pain
Along with: Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness, Dislike of speaking, Cold extremities, Sighing, Purple lips, Purple nails, Purple face
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
Chest pain
Along with: Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Purple lips, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots
Heart Blood Stagnation
Stabbing chest pain
Along with: Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest
Heat
Causes: Chest pain, Mild chest pain
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Chest pain
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Chest pain
Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum
Pericardium Fire
Mild chest pain
Along with: Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Thirst, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Cardiac burning sensation, Rapid breath, Restlessness, Anxiety, Feeling of heat, Vivid dreaming, Excessive menstruation
Wind-Heat entering the Lungs
Mild chest pain
Along with: Cough with foul smelling sputum, Low grade fever, Dry and scaly skin, Bronchitis, Bronchiectasis, Pneumonia, Pertussis, Bronchial asthma
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Chest pain, Mild chest pain
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Chest pain
Along with: Chest distension, 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
Qi Stagnation in Chest
Chest pain
Along with: Chest stiffness, Chest distension, Chest pain improve with massage, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Bleeding during pregnancy
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
Mild chest pain
Along with: Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations, Depression, Irritability, Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Cold extremities
Phlegm
Causes: Chest pain
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Chest pain
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Chest pain
Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum
Wind-Phlegm
Chest pain
Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Chest pain
Pericardium Blood Deficiency
Chest pain
Along with: Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
Chest pain
Along with: Chest distension, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Loss of appetite, Irregular periods, Leukorrhea, Breast engorgement
Mind Disturbance
Causes: Chest pain, Mild chest pain
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Chest pain
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Rapid breath
Pericardium Fire
Mild chest pain
Along with: Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Thirst, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Cardiac burning sensation, Rapid breath, Restlessness, Anxiety, Feeling of heat, Vivid dreaming, Excessive menstruation
Wind
Causes: Chest pain, Mild chest pain
Wind-Phlegm
Chest pain
Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness
Wind-Heat entering the Lungs
Mild chest pain
Along with: Cough with foul smelling sputum, Low grade fever, Dry and scaly skin, Bronchitis, Bronchiectasis, Pneumonia, Pertussis, Bronchial asthma
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Chest pain
Lung Yin Deficiency
Chest pain
Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Herbal Formulas for Chest Pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address chest pain
Wei Jing Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears heat from the Lungs
- Transforms Phlegm
- Drives out Blood-Stagnation
- Discharges pus
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Wind-Heat entering the Lungs
How it manifests:
Mild chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Cough with foul smelling sputum, Low grade fever, Dry and scaly skin, Bronchitis, Bronchiectasis, Pneumonia...
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Zhi Bao Dan
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Resolves toxicity
- Transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Hui Chun Dan
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Arrests spasms and convulsions
- Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Directs Rebellious Qi downwards
- Stops coughing
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries and dissolves Phlegm
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Soothes the Liver and calms Liver Wind (antispasmodic)
- Clear Dampness
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Wind-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
- Calms wheezing by directing rebellious Qi downward
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Er Chen Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen)
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Wu Yao Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Moves Qi
- Stops pain
- Nourishes Liver Blood
- Eliminates Stagnation
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Unblocks the stool
- Benefits the throat
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
- Tonifies Spleen
- Clears Deficient Heat
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi
- Augments the Kidneys
- Stops coughing
- Arrests wheezing
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Unblocks the channels
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Heart Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Stabbing chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Lung Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Clears Dampness
- Invigorates the Blood
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Expands the chest
- Dissipates clumps
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks painful obstruction
- Relieves pain
- Invigorate Qi
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Unblock Channels
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Xie Xin Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains Fire
- Resolves Toxicity
- Dries Dampness
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Pericardium Fire
How it manifests:
Mild chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Thirst, Mouth ulcers...
Shi Xiao San
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Eases pain
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Zi Xue Dan
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Controls spasms and convulsions
- Extinguishes Wind
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Pericardium Fire
How it manifests:
Mild chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Thirst, Mouth ulcers...
Qi Li San
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Invigorates Qi
- Reduces swelling and pain
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Dan Shen Yin
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Guo Qi Yin
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the menses
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability...
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Di Tan Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Removes Phlegm
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Pericardium Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory
Xuan Fu Hua Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang
- Expands the chest
- Removes and transforms Stagnation
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Qi Stagnation in Chest
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest stiffness, Chest distension, Chest pain improve with massage, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Bleeding during pregnancy
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Channels
- Disperses Cold
- Nourishes the Blood
- Unblocks the Blood vessels
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
How it manifests:
Chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth, Dry throat...
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Addresses these chest pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates the flow of Qi,
- Clears Phlegm
- Treats esophageal spasm
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Dissipates clumps
- Relieves Stagnation
Addresses These Chest Pain Pattern Variations
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Mild chest pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations, Depression...