Feeling Of Heaviness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different feeling of heaviness patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

12
TCM Patterns
64
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 12 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each feeling of heaviness pattern
Classical remedies 64 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), feeling of heaviness is understood as a symptom of underlying disharmony within the body's systems. TCM posits that such symptoms can result from various patterns of disharmony, including imbalances in Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, or the presence of Dampness and Phlegm. Identifying the specific pattern of disharmony is crucial in TCM, as it directs the treatment approach. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on symptomatic relief, TCM aims to restore balance and harmony within the body to address the root cause of the heaviness.

TCM Patterns for Feeling Of Heaviness

Dampness

Causes: Feeling of heaviness of body, Feeling of heaviness, Heavy body, Feeling of heaviness of the head and body, General sensation of heaviness

19 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of body, Feeling of heaviness

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

Damp-Cold
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Abdominal pain, Abdominal fullness, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite,

Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Loss of appetite, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning, Feeling of heat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dampness in the Gallbladder
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Jaundice, Dull yellow complexion, Yellow eyes, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Nausea or vomiting,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Wind
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness,

Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Dull shallow face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Oedema
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema,

Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

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

Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Heavy body

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

Along with: Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

Along with: Head and body heaviness, Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Diarrhea, Fever not reduced by sweating

Wind-Damp
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: Excessive sweating, Feeling of heaviness, Edema, Urinary dysfunction, Ascites, Rheumatic heart disease,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: Edema, Feeling of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary dysfunction, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney infection,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Feeling of heaviness of body, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of heaviness, Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

11 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of body, Feeling of heaviness

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

Phlegm-Fluids
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of body

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 limbs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of body, Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Muscle pain, Lack of sweating, Absence of thirst, Profuse white sputum, Swollen limbs, Urinary dysfunction

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Chills, Cold hands, Sputum, Dizziness,

Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Oedema
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema,

Phlegm
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

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

Phlegm-Fluids in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Shortness of breath, Gurgling noise in the chest, Stifling sensation in the chest, Dizziness,

Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: Coughing, Asthma, Edema, Stifling sensation in the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

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

Heat

Causes: Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of heaviness, Heavy body, Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

11 variations documented
Damp-Heat
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Abdominal pain, Abdominal fullness, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite,

Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Loss of appetite, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning, Feeling of heat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Dull shallow face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Heavy body

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

Along with: Head and body heaviness, Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Diarrhea, Fever not reduced by sweating

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

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

Cold

Causes: Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of heaviness, Heavy body, Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

5 variations documented
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Chills, Cold hands, Sputum, Dizziness,

Damp-Cold
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Heavy body

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness of the head and body

Along with: Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of heaviness, Heavy body

5 variations documented
Damp-Wind
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness,

Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Heavy body

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Wind
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Heavy body

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Wind phobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Damp
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: Excessive sweating, Feeling of heaviness, Edema, Urinary dysfunction, Ascites, Rheumatic heart disease,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Feeling of heaviness, Heavy body

3 variations documented
Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

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

Summer-Heat
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Upper abdominal discomfort, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Heavy body

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: General sensation of heaviness

2 variations documented
Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: Feeling of heaviness, Limb numbness, Difficulty in moving, Stiffness in neck, shoulder, and upper back, Periarthritis of the shoulder, Rheumatoid arthritis

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: Edema, Feeling of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary dysfunction, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney infection,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Feeling of heaviness

1 variation documented
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain,

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Feeling of heaviness

1 variation documented
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Dull shallow face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Excess

Causes: Feeling of heaviness

1 variation documented
Yin Excess
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Absence of thirst, Slow and forceful movement, Epigastric pain worsen by pressure, Polyuria, Feeling of chest oppression, Nausea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: General sensation of heaviness

1 variation documented
Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

General sensation of heaviness

Along with: Feeling of heaviness, Limb numbness, Difficulty in moving, Stiffness in neck, shoulder, and upper back, Periarthritis of the shoulder, Rheumatoid arthritis

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dryness

Causes: Feeling of heaviness

1 variation documented
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with feeling of heaviness

Feeling of heaviness

Along with: Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Feeling Of Heaviness

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address feeling of heaviness

Ping Wei San

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Dampness Heat Qi Stagnation Phlegm Cold

Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Dampness Heat Cold Wind Summer Heat

Wu Ling San

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Phlegm Dampness Yin Excess Qi Deficiency

Wei Ling Tang

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Dampness Phlegm Cold

Er Chen Tang

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Phlegm Dampness Heat

Shi Gao Tang

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Heat Cold Wind

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Dampness Heat Summer Heat

Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Phlegm Cold Dampness

Dang Gui Shao Yao San

Addresses these feeling of heaviness patterns:

Dampness Heat Qi Stagnation