Hypochondriac Distension

脅肋脹痛 / 胁肋胀痛

Fullness or discomfort along the flanks or ribcage.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Liver Support
Also Known As	Hypochondriac fullness, Flank distension, Side rib discomfort, Costal distension, Rib-side tightness
Common Symptoms	A sense of fullness, tightness or ache under the ribs, on one or both sides. It may worsen with emotional stress, deep breathing or certain postures, and can come with sighing, chest tightness or a bitter taste. The feeling is often described as constrained rather than sharp and fixed.
Related TCM Patterns	Qi Stagnation · Blood Stasis · Yin Deficiency
Related Classical Formulas	Xiao Yao San · Jia Wei Xiao Yao San · Chai Hu Shu Gan San · Si Ni San · Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang · Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang · Jin Ling Zi San · Yi Guan Jian

Hypochondriac Distension in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, rib-side distension is classically linked to patterns involving the Liver channel and Qi movement. Qi stagnation and Blood stasis are the patterns most often associated with this presentation. Differentiation looks at whether the discomfort is moving or fixed, whether emotion clearly triggers it, whether there is menstrual pain or a dark tongue in longer-standing cases, and whether the pulse is wiry. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern features rather than to the location under the ribs alone.

TCM Patterns Associated With Hypochondriac Distension

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Xiao Yao San Jia Wei Xiao Yao San Chai Hu Shu Gan San Si Ni San Jin Ling Zi San
Blood Stasis血瘀證Stagnation Patterns	Fixed, stabbing or piercing pain that does not move freely, often worse at night or with pressure. The complexion may look darker or purplish, and in women the menstrual flow can be dark with clots. Lips or nails may appear dusky. Tongue dark or with purple spots or congested veins under the tongue; pulse choppy or wiry and hesitant.	Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Yin Deficiency陰虛證Deficiency Patterns	Dry mouth and throat, night sweats or warm palms and soles, a thin body frame, and restlessness that is worse in the afternoon or at night. Sleep may be light, and there is often a preference for cool drinks. Symptoms feel empty rather than forceful. Tongue red with scant coating; pulse thin and rapid.	Yi Guan Jian