Refers to a subjective feeling of something stuck in the throat which can neither be swallowed down nor spit up. In the Chinese literature the something stuck in the throat is described as feeling similar to a piece of meat. This relatively commonly seen condition corresponds to both physiological and psychological conditions in terms of Western nosology.

Hysteria, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, psychoneurosis and possibly western medical conditions

“The feeling of constriction or something stuck in the throat is believed to be due to phlegm blocking the orifice of the throat. This phlegm may be engendered by spleen vacuity or it may be brewed and transformed by some sort of evil heat. However, no matter where and how it is formed, it is rafted up to lodge up in the throat by either upwardly counterflowing Qi due to liver depression or some species of evil heat.”

“Emotional disorder is the primary etiological factor, such as prolonged anger, depression and anxiety which causes Qi and internal Zang Fu disharmony leading to Mei He Qi. Emotional disharmony causes confusion of the Qi mechanism and injures the internal organs generating the phlegm; the Qi and phlegm stagnate together and get stuck in the throat to cause this disease. Deviated Shen types or phlegm damp types can accelerate the pathology or can easily catch this disease”

This disease will be resolved after proper treatment, the treatment may be short or long depending on the pathological situation. In general, Qi level pathology is much easier to resolve; sticky phlegm and blood level pathologies will last longer.

A. Feeling of something stuck in the throat and difficulty cleaning it out B. History of depression, anxiety, anger, and moodiness C. Phlegm damp constitution D. No clear evidence in western medicine Should have A, then refer others

Feeling of something stuck in the throat and difficulty clearing it out by coughing or swallowing, depression, anxiety, easily angered and moody, chest pressure or abdominal distention

Tongue : pink tongue, white coat

Pulse : wiry

Acupuncture Treatment : CV-17, CV-22, CV-23, LR-2, LR-3, PC-6, ST-36, ST-40, SP-9

Feeling of something caught in the back of the throat which can neither be spit up or swallowed down, chest and abdominal fullness and oppression, profuse phlegm, irritability, possible PMS, menstrual irregularity, or fibrocystic lumps in the breast in females.

Tongue : slimy white coat

Pulse : slippery, bowstring

Treatment Principle : Move the Qi and downbear counterflow, transform phlegm and disinhibit the throat Acupuncture Treatment: LR-3, PC-6, ST-40, ST-36, CV-17, CV-12, CV-22.

Feeling of something caught in the back of the throat which can neither be spit up or swallowed down, chest and abdominal fullness and oppression, profuse phlegm, irritability, possible PMS, menstrual irregularity, or fibrocystic lumps in the breast in females.

Tongue : red tongue, slimy yellow coat

Pulse : slippery, bowstring, rapid

Treatment Principle : Clear Heat and transform phlegm, resolve depression and disinhibit the throat Acupuncture Treatment: LR-2, ST-41, ST-40, CV-22, CV-17, CV-12.

Feeling of something caught in the back of the throat which can neither be coughed up or swallowed down, dry mouth and throat, 5-palm heat, lingering rib-side pain, possible menstrual pain or PMS, possible scanty, delayed, or blocked menstruation

Tongue : red tongue, scanty coat

Pulse : slippery, bowstring, rapid

Treatment Principle : Principle: Enrich Yin and downbear fire, emolliate the liver and scatter nodulation Acupuncture Treatment: Tonify: LU-7, KI-6, SP-6; Even technique: LR-3, LR-14, CV-22, ST-40

Feeling of something caught in the back of the throat which can neither be spit up or swallowed down, dry mouth and throat, thirst but no great desire to drink, 5-palm heat, afternoon tidal heat, possible night sweats, possible palpitations, vexation and agitation, insomnia, tinnitus, dizziness

Tongue : red tongue, dry and/or scanty, possibly yellow coat

Pulse : bowstring, fine, rapid

Treatment Principle : Nourish the lungs and enrich the kidneys, clear heat and disinhibit the throat Acupuncture Treatment: LU-7, KI-6, SP-6, ST-40, St-44, CV-22. Even technique

Feeling of something caught in the back of the throat which can neither be spit up or swallowed down, chest, rib-side, or abdominal fixed or piercing pain, possible menstrual irregularity and/or dysmenorrheal in females, enduring disease worse symptoms get worse in the afternoon or evening, spider nevi or varicosities, dark dusky complexion

Tongue : dark purplish tongue or possible static spots and macules

Pulse : bowstring, choppy, possibly bound

Treatment Principle : Quicken the Blood and transform stasis, free the flow of the network vessels and disinhibit the throat

Acupuncture Principle : LU-7, KI-6, SP-6, ST-40, St-44, CV-22.