Biliary Diseaseaccording to TCM

What is Biliary Disease?

Biliary disease encompasses a range of conditions affecting the bile ducts, the pathways that transport bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. This vital process aids in digestion, particularly in breaking down fats.

Biliary diseases can manifest as blockages or infections in the bile ducts, leading to conditions like cholangitis or cholestasis. These disorders often result in symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, and digestive disturbances. The precise nature of biliary diseases varies, ranging from gallstones to more severe conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis or bile duct cancer.

How does TCM view Biliary Disease?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), biliary disease is viewed through a lens of holistic balance and energy flow within the body. TCM practitioners believe that such conditions arise from imbalances in the body's Qi (energy), particularly in the liver and gallbladder meridians.

Contributing factors may include emotional stress, improper diet, and environmental influences. TCM emphasizes restoring harmony and flow in the body, using approaches like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and lifestyle modifications. The focus is on treating the root cause of the disharmony, not just the symptoms, to promote overall well-being and prevent recurrence.

Acupoints for Biliary Disease

In managing biliary disease, TCM suggests specific acupuncture points for effective relief and treatment. One notable point is Dannang EX-LE-6, located on the Gall Bladder Channel of the right leg. This point is situated approximately 1-2 cun below Yanglingquan GB-34. To identify Dannang EX-LE-6, palpation is used to find the most tender point in this area.

The primary action of stimulating this acupoint is to clear Damp-Heat, which is often associated with biliary disorders in TCM. By targeting this point, TCM aims to alleviate symptoms and restore balance in the body's energy system, particularly within the liver and gallbladder meridians.

See more details below about Dannang EX-LE-6, an acupoint used to address biliary disease.

Dannang EX-LE-6

On the Gall Bladder Channel of the right leg, about 1-2 cun below Yanglingquan GB-34. Around there, palpate and locate Dannang EX-LE-6 at the most tender point.