Warmth On The Side Of The Chestaccording to TCM

What is Warmth on the Side of the Chest?

Warmth on the side of the chest refers to a sensation of increased heat or mild burning felt in the lateral costal region. This symptom is not commonly associated with any specific widespread medical condition but is notable for its localized feeling of heat without an external source. The experience can vary in intensity and may be transient or persistent, affecting one or both sides of the chest. This symptom is often described in various terms such as increased temperature in the lateral chest area or lateral costal region heat.

How Does TCM View Warmth on the Side of the Chest?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), warmth on the side of the chest is often seen as an indicator of an underlying imbalance in the body’s energetic pathways or Qi (chi). TCM practitioners view this symptom as possibly arising from disharmonies in Liver or Gallbladder Channels, where Heat accumulates in specific channels causing a noticeable warmth.

This perspective is in contrast to Western medicine, which may not recognize this as a distinct symptom without other clinical signs. TCM emphasizes understanding the root cause of the warmth by identifying specific patterns of disharmony, as the proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.

Acupoints for Warmth On The Side Of The Chest

For addressing warmth on the side of the chest, TCM suggests specific acupoints that help regulate Qi and manage heat within the body. One such acupoint is Yindu KID-19, located 4 cun above the umbilicus and 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline. This point is pivotal in TCM for its ability to regulate Qi dynamics in the middle burner and subdue Rebellious Qi, which can contribute to abnormal sensations such as warmth.

Stimulating Yindu can help in redistributing the body's energy and cooling down excessive heat manifesting in the lateral costal region, providing a therapeutic avenue for those experiencing this specific type of discomfort.

See more details below about Yindu KID-19, an acupoint used to address warmth on the side of the chest.

Yindu KID-19

4 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.