Do you have Liver Qi Stagnation and is it preventing implantation?

What is Liver Qi Stagnation and Why Do So Many Women Have It?

Today we are going to look at one of the common diagnoses in Chinese Medicine Fertility Acupuncture: Liver QI Stagnation. I frequently work with women at my acupuncture clinic in Wolverhampton who have this issue and help them overcome it. 

In Chinese Medicine, Qi refers to the energy of the body, which is created from food and utilised in every organ. In Western Medicine, it is somewhat like ATP- the energy currency of the body- which we create from energy sources such as glycogen (carbohydrates) and fats.

In Chinese Medicine, we gain Qi from food and sleep. Each organ has its role related to Qi; the Liver’s role is to flow and spread the Qi around the body. The Liver energy is closely connected to the reproductive hormones, the menstrual cycle and menstrual blood. 

Due to hormonal changes after ovulation, the Liver Qi starts to rise. If the Liver is strong and balanced, the Liver Qi will flow freely, supporting a regular cycle. However if the Liver energy is in excess, which is a common problem, then the Liver Qi is prone to becoming blocked. This is what we call LIVER QI STAGNATION.

 How does this manifest during your cycle?

1. PMT

 Pre-menstrual tension is the direct equivalent of Liver Qi Stagnation in Western Medicine. Chinese Medicine explains why some women experience heightened emotions and mood swings from as early as midway through the cycle, whereas some women experience them only a few days before the period or not at all.

 This is due to fluctuations in the health of the Liver energy for different women and the tendency of an excess Liver to begin to show signs and symptoms as soon as the Liver energy rises after ovulation.

2. Emotional changes

Each organ in Chinese Medicine is related to an emotion, both high vibrational (positive) and low vibrational (negative). A healthy Liver is related to feeling powerful, in control and with positive leadership.

When the Liver energy is blocked, the associated emotions are anger and frustration. Stress is closely linked to the Liver; being surrounded by daily stresses will exacerbate the Liver emotions.

This is why women commonly experience emotional changes before the period if they have the diagnosis of Liver Qi Stagnation. Part of my services in Wolverhampton include natural emotional healing for fertility. 

3. Mid-Body Symptoms

In acupuncture, each organ has a channel connecting acupuncture points through the body. The Liver channel starts on the feet and passes through the abdomen and breasts.

 If there are Liver channel obstructions, you may experience pre-menstrual breast tenderness, abdominal bloating and constipation.

4. Headaches / Migraines

Each organ has a paired organ in Chinese Medicine. The Liver’s pair is the Gallbladder. The Gallbladder channel passes through the side of the head. This is why when you have Liver Qi Stagnation, you may sometimes experience pre-menstrual headaches, especially either as a tight band around the head, behind the eyes or one-sided throbbing migraines on the side of the head.  

5. Pain and Cycle Irregularities

In Chinese Medicine, Qi blockages cause pain. Blood follows Qi, so where Qi is blocked, as in the case of Liver Qi Stagnation, Blood doesn’t flow freely. Both of these may cause painful periods, or pain before your period which is eased as the blood flows.

This is why stress is often indicated as a cause for a delayed cycle. What has happened is the external stressful situation has caused an internal blockage of Liver Qi, which has delayed the blood flow and caused hormonal imbalances. 

Long term Liver Qi Stagnation can lead to long cycles or irregular cycles and be a contributing factor in PCOS hormonal irregularities.

6. Fertility Issues

Liver Qi Stagnation, if left untreated, can contribute to cycle and hormonal irregularities related to PCOS. The blockage of Qi in the uterus and fallopian tubes can lead to blockages of blood which may lead to blood stasis (another Chinese Medicine diagnosis) which is linked to heavy, painful periods, fibroids, endometriosis and implantation issues.

Which Treatments Are Best?

Liver Qi Stagnation is incredibly common. All treatments aim to ‘move the Liver Qi’

Acupuncture

One of the best ways to support Liver Qi with the following methods is with expert acupuncture, which we deliver at our fertility clinic. We attract women from in and around Wolverhampton seeking this service. All acupuncture needles move the Qi, but there are also specific acupuncture points which focus on moving the Liver Qi and the Qi of the fertility organs.

Exercise

All exercise moves the Liver Qi. Cardio exercise such as running, cycling, swimming, and HIIT is the most effective for moving the Liver Qi in the short term. If you have Liver Qi Stagnation symptoms, you may feel tired and lethargic. However if you feel energised after exercise, you will know that the low motivation was due to a blockage of Liver Qi rather than a deficiency of Qi.

Exercise can be increased in the second half of the cycle, from ovulation onwards.

Time Spent in Nature

The Liver energy is associated with the element of WOOD and the weather, WIND. Getting out into nature and changing scenery helps to move the Liver Qi and raise your energetic frequency.

Sex

This helps to move the Qi in the fertility organs and therefore prevents blockages of Qi or blood, supporting emotions to flow.

When Should I Move the Liver Qi? 

The best time to move the Liver Qi energy is in the 2nd half of the cycle, from ovulation towards the period. 

Also you may feel the need to move the Qi at any high energy portal, such as full moons or eclipses or the Lion’s Gate. 

What are the Benefits? 

Moving the Liver Qi can: 

• Prevent more severe cases of Liver Qi stagnation which leads to Liver Blood Stasis (pain, heavy periods, fibroids, blockages, endometriosis). 

• Improve ovulation and regulate your cycle 

• Increase implantation success

• Improve your mood, reduce stress and anxiety. 

I hope you have a great week and manage to move some of that stuck energy! 

Natalia