Traditional chinese medicine Archives

Obstruction syndromes

by Team | 1616,Jun, 2025 | Traditional chinese medicine

Bi or painful obstruction syndromes

Bi syndromes, or painful obstruction syndromes, are frequently encountered clinical syndromes. They result from the obstruction of meridians by the combination of the “three demons” (Wind-Cold-Dampness) according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These syndromes correspond to numerous pathologies in Western medicine, such as osteoarthritis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, among many others.

Let’s explore these Bi syndromes through the story of Koffi.

The morning everything went wrong

Koffi isn’t a hero, a sage, or seriously ill. He’s just an ordinary man. A 36-year-old freelance graphic designer, he lives in a small apartment surrounded by his plants and his cat, Noodle. Two or three times a week, he runs a few kilometers. He’s gotten used to the aches and pains he regularly feels when he wakes up: “I must have slept awkwardly.”

But one morning, as he put his foot on the floor, a sharp pain shot through his hip. Not violent enough to make him scream, but too precise to ignore. He stretches, shakes his leg, but nothing helps. And Koffi thinks to himself: “It’s official. I’m getting old.” But this pain bothers him; he doesn’t understand its cause. He spends the day limping, searching the internet: “right hip pain upon waking for no reason,” exploring forums, but without success.

That evening, a friend told him about a Chinese doctor who had set up practice nearby, in a small, discreet courtyard. Driven to the limit by fatigue, pain, and no doubt a touch of curiosity, Koffi made an appointment.

At Dr. Shen’s

The Chinese doctor is a small, thin man with disconcertingly sharp eyes. His name is Shen. He gestures for Koffi to sit down, then, without a word, takes his wrist and delicately places three fingers on the radial artery. The contact is light, almost imperceptible. Yet Koffi senses something—a kind of intense focus. Dr. Shen closes his eyes.

After a moment, in a calm voice, Shen says, “The Qi isn’t flowing. There’s an invasion of Wind-Dampness.” Koffi, a little embarrassed, coughs, “An invasion… by what exactly? Bacteria? A virus?”

Shen opens his eyes and tilts his head. “No. Perverse energies. External winds. Wind, Cold, Dampness. They’ve entered. Your body has opened the door.” Koffi is a little disconcerted by this explanation, but he feels he can trust this unusual doctor. Shen continues: “You have pain when you wake up, but less when you move?” Koffi nods. “A feeling of heaviness in your leg? The pain moving a little?” Koffi nods again.

Bi syndrome

“Bi Syndrome,” Shen concluded. “A blockage of Qi and Blood in the meridians.” He paused, then said, “We’re going to get it flowing. You’ll see.”

He took out his acupuncture needles and began the treatment. Shen handled them like a calligrapher, with quiet, almost affectionate concentration. He inserted one into Koffi’s leg, just below the knee. Another into the ankle. Then another, near the hip. “You’ll feel like a thread is being pulled taut,” he said calmly. “That’s the Qi. It responds… It comes back.”

Koffi did indeed feel something, a kind of deep tingling. He wanted to know more about this Bi and questioned Shen.
Shen sat up straight: “‘Bi’ means ‘obstruction.’ It’s when something blocks the flow of Qi and Blood. When the body becomes like a city with traffic jams: the streets are there, but nothing moves.” And he explains to him that there are different types of Bi, each with its own personality (see box).

Then he continues: “Those pains we ignore, those little aches and pains that ‘will go away,’ sometimes they’re signs of Bi. And if we let them take hold, they become chronic. They seep in. They eat away at you. And one day, you can no longer lift your arm. Or walk. Or sleep.”

Pain: a signal to be taken seriously

Looking intently into Koffi’s eyes, he said, “It’s not urgent because it’s serious. It’s urgent because it’s minor.” Koffi blinked. “You mean… the more subtle it is, the more attention you need to pay?” Shen smiled for the first time. “Exactly. The body speaks softly at first. Then it cries out. And sometimes it’s silent… but it’s damaging itself.”

Koffi began to understand that Shen’s medicine wasn’t “alternative.” It was an ancient, precise, demanding, yet profoundly human understanding of life.

The treatment finished, Dr. Shen removed the needles and said again, “Pain isn’t the enemy. It’s an alarm bell. It’s your body warning you that there’s an imbalance, that something isn’t circulating properly, or not enough. And that you’ve pushed yourself beyond your limits without listening.” He explains to him that where Qi flows freely, there is no pain. Conversely, where Qi stagnates, pain appears. Pain is Qi knocking at the door because it can no longer pass through.

If this signal is ignored, the pain takes hold, even changing form. And in the long run, if the imbalance persists, illness sets in. ‘Pain,’ Shen concludes, ‘is the body asking for a return to harmony. Don’t silence it. Learn its language. And it will thank you.’”

Leaving the office, Koffi is not “cured.” Not yet.

But he walks differently. Slower. More upright. Like someone who no longer runs from his pain, but listens to it. He is beginning to perceive its hidden meaning.

Key points to remember

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the term Bi means “obstruction.” It refers to a disruption of the harmonious flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood. This imbalance is often caused by the invasion of external pathogenic factors, called Xie Qi: Wind, Cold, Dampness, and sometimes Heat.

Each type of Bi has specific characteristics:

Wind Bi: Migratory, variable pain.
Cold Bi: Fixed, deep pain, aggravated by cold.
Dampness Bi: Sensations of heaviness, swelling, and numbness.
Heat Bi: Intense pain, redness, and inflammation.

Here are some situations that can generate Bi:

Irregular sleep and wake schedules, or overwork, injure Qi and Blood, weaken the meridians, and compromise the body’s defenses. This allows external pathogens to penetrate the body.
A cold or damp environment, or a profession that exposes one to cold, wind, and dampness, creates conditions conducive to the penetration of Wind-Cold-Damp pathogens into the body.
Alcohol abuse, or a diet that is too rich or insufficient, injures the Spleen Qi, leading to the internal production of Phlegm and Dampness, which then circulates in the meridians.
Excessive eating injures Jing and Blood. Yin deficiency leads to an excess of Fire, and the Blood is no longer able to nourish the tendons.
Stagnation of the Seven Emotions (Anger, Joy, Emotional Shock, Worry, Sadness, Overthinking, and Fear), and Blood stasis in the meridians, are also contributing factors. Bruising or Blood stagnation following external trauma can also occur.

Stagnation

by Team | 2727,May, 2025 | Traditional chinese medicine

When energy freezes

In the subtle vision of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), life is movement. Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids must circulate freely, like breath through branches, like a stream flowing between stones. This vital flow sustains health, mental clarity, and peace of mind. But sometimes, this current slows down. It swirls without moving forward, becomes murky, thickens… and eventually stagnates.

This phenomenon is called stagnation. It is not a static state, but a gradual, often insidious imbalance that can give rise to most modern chronic ailments. When energy ceases to flow, life becomes heavier, more strained… sometimes painful. This stagnation is at the root of many pathologies.

Repressed emotions

Stagnation can affect different levels. The most frequent is Qi stagnation, particularly in the Liver, the organ that governs the free flow of energy throughout the body. This imbalance is directly linked to repressed, unexpressed emotions, stress, frustration, and even suppressed anger. Modern humans are saturated with it. The signs are often subtle but revealing: tension in the sides, frequent sighing, fluctuating moods, chest tightness, menstrual irregularities, and even depression.

When stagnation persists, it deepens. The Blood, in turn, can cease to circulate harmoniously. This is known as Blood stasis. This type of stagnation is denser and more deeply rooted. It manifests as fixed, localized pain, often nocturnal, and sometimes intense. It is the root cause of many gynecological disorders—endometriosis, fibroids, painful periods—as well as lumps, nodules, and abnormal scarring.

On another level, stagnation can affect bodily fluids, leading to an accumulation of moisture or mucus. This creates a state of physical and mental heaviness: slow digestion, sticky fatigue, a coated tongue, heavy limbs, phlegm, and mental confusion. This is a gentle, slow, invisible—but persistent—stagnation.

When inflammation sets in

Sometimes, the nature of this stagnation evolves further. Excessively stagnant Qi generates heat through friction. This phenomenon is feared in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): the stagnation then transforms into heat. This internal fire can manifest as inflammation, irritability, redness, a sensation of localized heat, or even bleeding or skin disorders. This marks a turning point in the imbalance: at this stage, the blockage is no longer simply trying to release itself—it is attacking.

This stagnant fire can take root in the tissues and develop into complex pathological forms. This is referred to as “phlegm-heat” (Tan Re), a form of pathogenic accumulation that infiltrates the deep organs, forming hard, hot, painful masses. Thus, from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), certain degenerative processes such as cysts, nodules, or even tumors can take root not through external aggression, but through unresolved internal accumulation.

This imbalance affects all ages and all social classes. Women are often more susceptible due to the cyclical nature of their blood and their deep connection to the Liver and Uterus. However, men, children, the elderly, and those with sedentary or hyperactive lifestyles are also at risk.

Signs of stagnation

Because stagnation doesn’t arise directly from a lack of physical movement; it primarily stems from emotional imbalances.

The Liver governs anger and emotional flexibility. Its stagnation hinders adaptation and mental fluidity.

The Heart governs the spirit (Shen); persistent stagnation disrupts the Shen.

The Spleen, weakened by excessive rumination or worry, can produce Phlegm that blocks the mind.

The Kidneys, in cases of deficiency, can deprive the Heart and Liver of their Yin or Yang foundation.

It’s possible to experience this stagnation before it becomes pathological. Heavy digestion, a slightly purplish tongue, diffuse aches and pains, disturbed sleep, and an irregular menstrual cycle are signs of stagnation. Similarly, a constant need to sigh, and a feeling of blockage in the throat or solar plexus are also signs.

A suitable diet

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), stagnation is treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, and, of course, diet. What we eat is not only matter but also information. A suitable diet can prevent stagnation or dissipate existing stagnation.

When Liver Qi is blocked, a light, ascending spring diet is recommended. This promotes free circulation. Green vegetables, sprouts, aromatic herbs such as mint, white radish, celery, citrus fruits, and light green tea are powerful allies. Conversely, excess fats, red meat, refined sugar, or alcohol worsen internal pressure.

When Blood stagnates, a blood-vitalizing diet is recommended. Red foods, which are nourishing and blood-thinning, are most suitable: beets, black rice, quail eggs, goji berries, carrots, and a touch of natural red wine. Anything cold, processed, or too salty should be avoided.

A personalized treatment

To combat dampness stagnation, often linked to a weakened Spleen, a drying and warming diet is preferred. Red beans, lotus seeds, pearl barley, dried ginger, white pepper, and steamed root vegetables are recommended. Dairy products, bananas, cold raw vegetables, and sugary juices are the main culprits in this process.

And when stagnation has already transformed into heat, it is necessary to soothe while simultaneously draining: lotus, chrysanthemum, white peony root, cooked cucumber, celery, bitter melon, and clear soups made with light legumes can then complement a more comprehensive strategy of gentle detoxification. Fire is not fought with cold, but with cool, orderly dampness.

However, the best results will be obtained by combining the various tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan. It will often be valuable to add emotional support and physical exercise, or even qi gong.

Cultivate a calm mind

Emotions therefore play a major role in the development of stagnation. Depending on the emotion involved, it will manifest in the organ to which it is connected.

Thus, excessive joy—or excitement—leads to stagnation of qi in the heart. The heart may begin to beat irregularly or too rapidly. This can also lead to hypertension, insomnia, a restless mind, etc.

Anger leads to stagnation of Liver qi, the main organ responsible for the free flow of qi throughout the body. This can lead to vision problems, diarrhea, dry and brittle nails, tinnitus, dizziness, and headaches. This stagnation—or overpressure of Liver qi—is also the cause of premenstrual syndrome or depression. According to the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, pain in the body is a direct result of anger interfering with the flow of Qi in the Liver.

Persistent thoughts or mental rumination can lead to stagnation of Qi in the Spleen and a loss of its vitality. This can result in decreased appetite, bloating, mental fog, and an inability to solve problems.

To remedy this, it is therefore important to be aware of our emotions, to be conscious of them, and not to let them control us. By cultivating a calm mind daily, we can limit the risk of emotional outbursts and, consequently, stagnation.

The five breaths

by Brigitte | 2222,Apr, 2025 | Traditional chinese medicine

The dance of the Five Elements

The theory of the Five Elements is fundamental to Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a model of the energy balances at work in Nature. Penetrating the essence of these elements and their interactions is a valuable learning experience.

The Five Elements are not fixed categories. They form an eternal cycle. Wood feeds Fire, which creates Earth (ashes), which generates Metal (in minerals), which condenses Water, which feeds Wood again.

A wheel that reminds us of the I Ching, or Classic of Transformations. Today, in the tumult of the modern world, this ancient wisdom has a new relevance. Whether we live in Shanghai or Marseille, in a monastery or an open-plan office, the Five Elements offer us an inner compass.

“If you can perceive within yourself the murmur of Wood, the warmth of Fire, the stability of Earth, the clarity of Metal, or the depth of Water… then perhaps, for a moment, you will have walked the path of the Dao.”

By observing our body, our emotions, our relationships, we can sense which element is in excess or deficiency, and restore harmony. This is the art of energetic diagnosis, but also of aligned living.

The Dao, the invisible thread of transformation At the heart of this system lies the Dao, the silent origin, the way that is not spoken but lived. The Five Elements are but reflections of the Dao in the manifest world. Each element is a mirror of the Dao in a particular phase of life.

By honoring the Five Elements, we return to the wisdom of the living, to balance and fluidity.

The origins of Breath

More than three thousand years ago, in the fertile valleys of the Yellow River, sages observed the sky, the earth, animals and the beating of the human heart. They already understood that life is not a series of isolated events, but a vibrant network of relationships and interactions.

Thus was born the theory of the Five Elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – a poetic, philosophical and medical language to describe the dynamics of the Universe.

These elements are not materials, but movements and transformations. They represent phases of mutation of Qi, the vital energy, always in motion, always linked to the Dao, the natural path of the universe.

The morning of the world

Wood represents birth, momentum, growth. It is spring breaking through the ice, a child discovering the world. Its movement is expansive, pushing outward and upward. It is the tree splitting the rock, the will to live.

Wood is aspiration in spiritual tradition. It symbolizes vision—not only that of the eyes, but that of the heart. It inspires artists, inventors, pioneers.

Today, we find the Wood element in the creative entrepreneur, the activist who dreams of a better world, or in the teenager searching for identity.

But when Wood is out of balance, it becomes anger, frustration, and rigidity, which originate in the liver and gallbladder.

The zenith of transformation

Fire is associated with paroxism: summer for the seasons, the maturity of the accomplished adult, the brilliance of the day at its zenith. We speak of love, joy or human warmth.

Fire burns at the center of our chest in the Heart, the emperor of organs according to Chinese medicine. It also governs the Small Intestine, the Heart Master and the Triple Warmer.

But Fire is also openness, generosity, sincere communication, the ability to love without possession. It’s the laughter of a child, the flame of a monk at prayer, the fire of a shaman in trance.

When Fire is unbalanced, it becomes overexcited, agitated and can lead to insomnia. In our contemporary world, saturated with digital stimuli, Fire is often in excess, fueled by a compulsive need for attention and gratification.

Anchoring to the mother

The Earth is the center around which life revolves. It’s the end of summer, the time of harvest. Organically, it governs the Spleen and Stomach, the organs of digestion, not only of food, but also of emotions and ideas.

Earth symbolizes stability, acceptance and trust. It is the energy of the nurturing mother, or of the wise man sitting in contemplation in a field. It embodies listening, caring and refocusing on the inner life. When this tranquility is disturbed, the individual falls prey to mental rumination, over-control, chronic worry or anxiety.

In an age of dispersion, the Earth is a reminder of simplicity, of presence. Shocking contrast: the lack of Earth manifests itself in inner exile; bodies are nourished, but spirits are starved.

Breath of detachment

Metal corresponds to autumn, falling leaves, old age and the return to basics. It is associated with the Lungs and the Large Intestine, masters of rhythm and elimination. It teaches the art of letting go, the beauty of silence, the nobility of impermanence.

Metal is the discipline of the monk, the righteousness of the samurai, the poetry of emptiness. It is the element of breath – the inhalation of life, the exhalation of death. It knows how to recognize the value of things and naturally detaches itself from the useless.

In a consumerist civilization, rediscovering Metal means learning to say “no”, honor grief and purify our inner space. When Metal is blocked, sadness, melancholy and difficulty in turning the page appear.

Depth and invisibility

Finally, water corresponds to winter, night, dreams and death. It governs the Kidneys and Bladder, the guardians of our ancestral energy. It is the force of Yin, of silence, of mystery.

It is the memory of the world, the wisdom that lies dormant within us all. It is the underground river of our intuitions, the fear that protects, deep sexuality and gestation. Spiritually, Water embodies absolute trust in the flow of the Dao, humility in the face of the unknown.

It is the energy of hermits, shamans and children in spontaneous meditation. Sadly, in our fast-paced world, chronic fear, exhaustion and existential emptiness all reflect a lack of Water energy. But when it flows freely, Water heals. It links generations, transmitting the very essence of life.

A diagnostic and treatment tool

These five elements perpetually interact with each other, the balance of one having repercussions on the others. These interrelations have been modeled by TCM (see below). The Chinese physician uses the theory of the five elements to diagnose and treat his patient.

The principle is always to restore overall balance by acting on the elements in imbalance. Feng Shui masters also use the Five Elements to balance the energy of living spaces.

The dynamics of the five elements

The balance of the Five Elements is based on the interactions described by the following two cycles: the cycle of generation and the cycle of control.

The generation cycle (or creation cycle) illustrates a relationship of mutual nourishment and support. Each element begets the next: Wood nourishes Fire, Fire creates Earth (ashes), Earth bears Metal (minerals), Metal begets Water (condensation), and Water nourishes Wood. It’s a harmonious cycle that ensures a continuous flow of energy.

The cycle of control (or cycle of domination) describes a relationship of regulation and limitation. Each element controls another: Wood controls Earth (roots holding back the soil), Earth controls Water (dikes), Water controls Fire (extinguishes it), Fire controls Metal (melts it), and Metal controls Wood (the axe cuts the wood). This cycle maintains balance by preventing one element from becoming dominant.

These two cycles help us understand the dynamics of the five elements and their interrelationships within the body and the environment.

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