Chest Bi (Obstruction of Qi in the Chest, ) is a disease characterized by a feeling of suffocation and pain in the chest, extending to the shoulder and sometimes the arm. It is commonly seen in middle-aged and senior people. “Bi” means “blockage” in its original sense.
Angina pectoris, cardiac infarction (heart attack), coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, and rheumatic heart disease may be classified as Chest Bi in TCM.
Invasion of Wind, Cold, Damp and lack of exercise, which cause blockage of Qi and Blood resulting in chest pain.
Emotional frustration leads to Liver-Qi stagnation and Spleen deficiency, which may produce Phlegm-Damp.
Irregular diet such as overeating fat, fried, or greasy food and drinking alcohol may damage the Spleen and generate Phlegm-Damp to block the Heart vessels.
Constitutional weakness: Kidney-Yang deficiency in the elderly fails to keep Blood warm, thus creating Blood stasis; a Phlegm-Damp constitution is often seen in overweight people, which may easily cause the blockage of cardiac vessels.
Chest pain caused by Heart vessel stagnation or blockage.
Palpitations and a Knotted pulse are caused by Heart-Yang or Heart-Qi deficiency failing to pump blood.
Dyspnea and edema are due to Heart- or Kidney-Yang deficiency leading to water retention. The retained fluids shooting to the Heart cause palpitations, while the fluids shooting to the Lung cause dyspnea; fluids overflowing to the skin cause edema.
Determine which root deficiency and branch excess are involved and which is more important. Treat the branch first if the branch is urgent and treat the root if the
PC 6 — opens the chest, regulates Qi, helps digestion.
BL 15 — Back Shu of the Heart, nourishes the Heart.
CV 17 — Front Mu of Pericardium, Upper Sea of Qi, opens the chest, regulates Qi, especially in the Heart and Lungs.
HT 5 — luo-connecting point, moves Blood, circulates collaterals to stop pain.
HT 7 — calms the Mind.
HT 6 — Xi Cleft point, good for acute pain.
CV 14 — moderates Heart pain, angina.
Huatuojiaji T 4–T 5 — can substitute for BL 15, 14.
(3)Palpation for tenderness
Palpate Back Shu points to find tenderness and reaction points, which may not be exactly on meridians. Feel and look for nodules, tenderness, or color change. Usually there is tenderness on BL 15, 14 or at left KI 22. Needle these points for the best results.
(4)Modifications
Liver-Qi stagnation (common with Heart-Blood deficiency and Phlegm) — add LR 3, 5.
Liver-Yang Rising (Hypertension) — add GB 20, LI 11, LR 3.
Acupuncture has very good results for relief of chest pain. In animal experiments, it has been shown to produce improved Heart blood supply and stronger Heart contractions, and it improves the electrical balance of cardiac membrane.
If the condition is not relieved with acupuncture, it is best to combine with other methodologies, such as herbals or Western medicine, to save lives.