How to Determine Your Qi State: Signs of Imbalance and Ways to Rebalance

Discover the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how understanding your Qi state can lead to optimal menstrual and hormonal health. In TCM, understanding your Qi (vital energy) state is a cornerstone of achieving balance and wellness. 

There is a famous saying from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (237 B.C.) that states “Where there is free flow, no pain. Where there is pain, no free flow.” Ensuring the free flow of Qi is the foundation of TCM modalities. Symptoms are the body’s way of turning on the ‘check engine light’ to let you know your Qi is imbalanced. 

Use this guide to learn how to identify if your Qi is stagnant, deficient, sinking, rebellious, or a combination. 

How to Identify Qi Stagnation in Your Body

Qi stagnation occurs when the flow of energy in the body becomes obstructed, leading to a whole host of physical and emotional symptoms. Liver Qi stagnation is one of the most common pattern diagnoses behind hormone imbalances and menstrual symptoms, in TCM your Liver organ system is in charge of the free flow of Qi. 

Here’s a helpful analogy. Imagine your body as a highway system. When traffic is flowing smoothly, you feel good. But sometimes, certain 'lanes' in your body—like the liver, gut, or circulation—can get blocked, what TCM calls Qi stagnation. This can create a traffic jam, which can affect traffic far away from the initial blockage. Common signs include:

Physical Symptoms of Qi Stagnation

1. Irregular or painful periods
2. Bloating and digestive discomfort, especially before menstruation
3. Breast tenderness or fullness during the cycle
4. Shoulder tension 
5. PMS symptoms including breakouts 

Emotional Symptoms of Qi Stagnation

1. PMS-related mood swings, irritability, or frustration
2. A sense of being "stuck" emotionally, especially premenstrually
3. Increased stress, worsening period symptoms

Other Signs of Qi Stagnation

1. Difficulty breathing deeply or sighing frequently
2. Heaviness in the body, especially in the abdomen or ribs 

What Are the Signs of Qi Deficiency?

Qi deficiency refers to a lack of energy or vitality, manifesting as hormonal and menstrual health challenges. There is not enough Qi (energy) in the body to function optimally. Symptoms include:

Physical Symptoms of Qi Deficiency

1. Fatigue 
2. Light or absent periods (amenorrhea)
3. Frequent illness or susceptibility to colds
4. Low back soreness 
5. Lack of appetite 

Emotional Symptoms of Qi Deficiency

1. Low energy, lack of motivation, or anxiety 
2. Feeling mentally or emotionally drained, especially during the luteal phase

Other Signs of Qi Deficiency

1. Pale complexion, which may worsen during menstruation
2. Difficulty maintaining stamina or recovering after physical activity

What Does Sinking Qi Mean and How Does It Affect You?

Sinking Qi is a more severe form of Qi deficiency, where Qi lacks the strength to maintain proper support for organs, tissues, and fluids. This pattern is often linked to Spleen Qi deficiency (aka, your digestion) and impacts menstrual and hormonal health.

Physical Symptoms of Qi Sinking

1. Heavy or prolonged periods  
2. Prolapsed uterus 
3. Bladder incontinence or frequent urination  
4. Feeling of heaviness in the abdomen  

Emotional Symptoms of Qi Sinking

1. Feeling overly fearful 
2. Depression 

Understanding Rebellious or Counterflow Qi: Signs and Symptoms

Rebellious, or counterflow Qi, is when Qi is flowing in the opposite of its natural direction, think acid reflux and vomiting. This is also a pattern associated with conditions like endometriosis, where there is believed to be retrograde menstruation, blood flows backwards through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity. 

Physical Symptoms of Rebellious Qi

1. Nausea or acid reflux, particularly during hormonal shifts
2. Headaches
3. Dizziness or vertigo during certain phases of the cycle
4. High blood pressure 

Emotional Symptoms of Rebellious Qi

1. Heightened irritability or frustration
2. Feeling overwhelmed or restless, especially premenstrually

How to Determine Your Qi State: Simple Steps to Get Started

Self-Assessment

Start by reflecting on your hormonal and menstrual symptoms:

1. Experiencing PMS, painful periods, or digestive issues around your cycle may point to Qi stagnation.
2. Light periods, fatigue after menstruation, or a weakened immune system may indicate Qi deficiency.
3. Bladder incontinence, frequent urination, or heavy non-stop bleeding could indicate sinking Qi. 
4. Nausea, headaches, or dizziness are potential signs of rebellious Qi. 

Tongue Diagnosis

The tongue’s appearance is another diagnostic tool as it serves as a microcosm of the body at large. 

What Does a Qi Stagnation Tongue Look Like? 

1. 1. Red or purplish tongue, especially the sides
   2. Distended purple veins underneath the tongue 

What Does a Qi Deficiency Tongue Look Like? 

1. 1. Pale or puffy tongue 
   2. Tongue with teeth marks  

Consulting a Practitioner: Elix Herbal Consultants  

Meet with a licensed acupuncturist or TCM practitioner, like an Elix Herbal consultant to help you evaluate your Qi state. They can assess your overall health, symptoms, and lifestyle to determine whether your Qi is stagnated, deficient, sinking, or rebellious. Their expertise can be invaluable in addressing menstrual and hormonal concerns.

How a Practitioner Can Support You in Understanding Your Qi

Meet with an Elix Herbal Consultant

Understanding your Qi state is easier with the help of an Elix Herbal Consultant, all licensed practitioners. During your 1:1 session, you’ll:

1. Discuss your physical and emotional symptoms to identify potential Qi imbalances.
2. Receive insights based on your results from Elix’s free Online Health Assessment.
3. Learn actionable steps to rebalance your Qi through tailored herbal remedies, like your customized Cycle Balance formula, and wellness practices.
4. You’ll learn how your tongue appearance gives clues about the state of your Qi in a live tongue reading analysis.   

How to Rebalance Your Qi and Support Hormone Health Naturally

Through your Elix Herbal Consult, you’ll gain a customized plan that may include herbal formulas, personalized dietary recommendations , and simple lifestyle adjustments to restore proper Qi flow. By addressing the root cause of imbalances, you can enhance your vitality and well-being.

Understanding your Qi state is the first step toward aligning your body’s natural energy and achieving your hormone health goals. 

Schedule your session with an Elix Herbal Consultant today and take the first step toward empowered wellness.

Sources

1. Endometriosis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic 

Reviewed By 

This article was reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Fine.

Dr. Elizabeth Fine is currently the Dean of Clinical Education at Emperor’s College, the #2 ranked colleges for TCM. She has been practicing Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for over 20 years, with a specialization in women’s reproductive health.