Liver Qi Stagnation and Feeling Stuck
Liver Qi Stagnation is one of the most common patterns in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I don’t know that I’ve ever treated a person without some form of Liver Qi Stagnation.
When Liver Qi is stuck, it can in turn disrupt Qi movement in the whole body.
The main functions of the Liver in TCM
- It stores Blood (Chinese Medicine Blood), especially menstrual blood
- It ensures the smooth flow of Qi
- It controls sinews
- It manifests in the nails
- It opens into the eyes
- It controls tears
- Is is affected by anger
When Liver Qi is stuck, it causes symptoms associated with any of those functions. Liver Qi stagnation can cause clotty menstrual blood, period pain, breast tenderness, pain in the muscles, difficulty crying or easily irritated or angry.
PMS or premenstrual syndrome is a pretty solid diagnosis of Liver Qi Stagnation. There are other patterns contributing but this gives a relatable diagnosis to understand. Once a period arrives – where Qi and Blood moves, those symptoms improve.
From a fertility point of view, Liver Qi is the energy that releases an egg to be ovulated. So some problems with ovulating can be treated by moving stuck Liver Qi in the week leading up to ovulation. The modern understanding of Liver Qi stagnation is stress. This pattern is also the one most likely to improve when you go on holidays or stop focusing on trying to conceive. The relaxation and no expectations moves Liver Qi.
The thing is though, Qi can be stagnated for a number of different reasons. Poor breathing is one. Physical trauma is another. Not enough exercise or movement as well. Eating poorly or inconsistently can impair Qi movement as well. But more interestingly, all emotions will affect the way Qi moves.
From a palpation point of view, I can feel Liver Qi Stagnation in your pulses. The quality of your pulse becomes tight like a guitar string. When I needle LR 3 – the source point of the Liver channel on your foot, I can feel your pulse soften. I can see you take a deep breath and that’s how I know your Qi is ‘unsticking’. It feels a little bit like that second sip of wine. Everything softens, you feel calm and clear headed and a bit floaty.
There’s another area of your life that is causing Qi to be stuck. And that is lack of joy. Lack of life purpose. Putting your life on hold to go through your fertility treatments. Not living your values. Feeling stuck in your job, your relationship, your house, your friendship group.
There’s only so much acupuncture can do for your Liver Qi Stagnation. The rest is very much up to you!
If you haven’t read Dr Emily Musgrove’s book – Unstuck. I’d highly recommend it.
Otherwise, weekly acupuncture treatments, indefinitely!
