The body is one Qi that circulates along its central axis — the Spleen-Stomach is the engine of that axis. On the left, Qi rises (you feel energised and your hands and feet are warm); on the right, Qi descends (you can sleep, pass stool, and don’t get heatiness).
1 = one Middle Qi deficiency (the engine is weak); 2 = two deficiency patterns (Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency); 6 = six pathogenic factors (Qi blocked in six places); 4 = four pathological wastes (the waste of abnormal Qi accumulation).
Step 1 (1+2) — is there deficiency: Middle Qi deficiency / Yang deficiency / Yin deficiency. Step 2 (6) — where is it blocked: disharmony of Ying-Wei / Spleen dampness / Stomach dryness / Liver wind / Gallbladder fire / Lung counterflow. Step 3 (4) — is there waste: food stagnation / water accumulation / blood stasis / phlegm. Treatment: tonify the deficient, unblock the obstructed, clear the waste.
Overall deficiency of One Qi in the body, with weak operation of the Spleen-Stomach Pivot
Treatment: Tonify the middle and cultivate Earth, consolidate Middle Qi
Insufficient ascending and dispersing tendency of Qi, Yang Qi is not enough to warm the whole body
Treatment: Warm Yang and dispel cold, assist the Liver to ascend on the left
Insufficient descending and astringing tendency of Qi, Yin Qi is not enough to moisten the organs
Treatment: Nourish Yin and moisten dryness, assist the Lungs to descend on the right
The circulation of Ying Qi and Wei Qi on the body surface is unsmooth
Treatment: Harmonize Ying-Wei, soothe and release the muscle layer
Insufficient transportation and transformation by the Spleen-Stomach in the middle jiao, causing internal retention of water and dampness
Treatment: Strengthen the Spleen and resolve dampness, assist the Spleen to ascend the clear
Insufficient body fluids in the Stomach, internal generation of dry heat, and failure in transportation
Treatment: Moisten dryness and relieve constipation, nourish Yin and reduce fire
Stagnation of Liver Qi transforming into wind, disturbing the upper clear orifices
Treatment: Calm the Liver and extinguish wind, dredge Qi and blood
Stagnant heat in the Gallbladder flaring upward, with fire and heat disturbing upwards along the meridian
Treatment: Clear the Gallbladder and purge fire, facilitate the Qi mechanism
Lung Qi rebels upward instead of descending, failing its duty to descend and clear
Treatment: Descend Qi and resolve phlegm, diffuse the Lungs and stop coughing
Abnormal water metabolism, condensing into Phlegm and Fluid Retention, moving around with Qi
Treatment: Resolve phlegm and expel retained fluids, regulate Qi and harmonize the middle
Undigested food causing Food Stagnation in the stomach and intestines, obstructing the Qi mechanism
Treatment: Promote digestion and remove stagnation, harmonize the Stomach and descend rebellious Qi
Retention and accumulation of Water Qi, flooding the skin or stagnating in cavities
Treatment: Promote urination and leach out dampness, unblock Yang and transform Qi
Unsmooth blood circulation or extravasated blood causing Blood Stasis and obstruction
Treatment: Invigorate blood and resolve Blood Stasis, unblock collaterals and relieve pain