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Pain in the hypochondrium mostly belongs to the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) channel. Hypochondriac pain caused by Jueyin (Terminal Yin) cold damage also falls under the Shaoyang Gallbladder channel, as the hypochondrium is located in the region governed by the Shaoyang. Hypochondriac pain from miscellaneous diseases mostly belongs to the Taiyin Lung channel, because the Lung meridian distributes into the Liver collaterals.

The hypochondrium and ribs belong to the regions of the Liver and Gallbladder. The Liver stores blood and governs anger. When blood coagulates and forms stasis, pain intensifies; when depression and anger cause Qi stagnation, pain spreads. Pain caused by anger accompanied by distension is relieved by belching; pain caused by blood stasis presents without distension and persists intermittently. If pain radiates to the epigastrium and is complicated by retained food, it indicates Qi stagnation and damp-phlegm accumulation in the right hypochondrium. Treatments may include Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder), Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction), or Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), supplemented with Houpo (Magnolia Bark), Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), Qingpi (Green Tangerine Peel), Sharen (Amomum Fruit), and Er Su Ye/Geng (Perilla Leaf/Stem). If heat is present, add Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) and Danshenxing (Arisaema with Bile) to resolve phlegm and clear heat; for strengthening the Spleen and resolving phlegm, Erchen Tang (Two Aged Substances Decoction) may also be used.

Liver Qi Stagnation Hypochondriac Pain: Chuanlianzi (Toosendan Fruit), Shanzhi (Gardenia Fruit), Jiuye (Tangerine Leaf), Chuanlian (Coptis Rhizome), Fuling (Poria), Jiangxiang Mo (Sappan Wood Powder), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Chuanhu (Dendrobium Stem), Muli (Oyster Shell), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), Xiaku Hua (Prunella Flower), Baijiezi (White Mustard Seed).

Damp-Heat Obstruction Hypochondriac Pain: Xiaowenzhong Wan (Minor Warming the Middle Pill).

Metal Failing to Control Wood, Hypochondriac Pain after Hemoptysis: Chuanbeimu (Fritillaria Bulb), Xingren (Apricot Seed), Baokouren (Cardamom Seed), Pipaye (Loquat Leaf), Juhong (Aged Tangerine Peel), Jiangxiang Mo (Sappan Wood Powder).

Ying Collateral Deficiency-Cold (Pain relieved by deep pressure indicates deficiency of Yin collaterals): Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Xiaohuixiang (Fennel Fruit), Dazao (Jujube), Guishen (Angelica Root Body), Fuling (Poria), Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root).

Cold Entering Collaterals with Qi Stagnation Hypochondriac Pain (Salivation, chills): Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Chuanlianzi (Toosendan Fruit), Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit), Gaoliangjiang (Galangal Rhizome), Fuling (Poria), Yanhusuo (Corydalis Tuber), Puhuang (Pollen Typhae), Bibo (Long Pepper Fruit).

Blood Collateral Stasis and Obstruction (Use pungent methods to vent and promote blood circulation):
Chen Shen stated: Pain worsens after eating with dry stool, indicating that chronic disease has entered the blood collaterals.
Taoren Ni (Peach Kernel Paste), Chuanlian Pi (Toosendan Bark), Yujin (Curcuma Tuber), Xinjiang (New Crimson Silk/Dyed Fabric), Dangguixu (Angelica Sinensis Root Tip), Yanhusuo (Corydalis Tuber), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Wujia Pi (Acanthopanax Bark), Shanzhi Pi (Gardenia Bark), Baiziren (Biota Seed), Dong Sangye (Mulberry Leaf), Zuo Muli (Left-sided Oyster Shell).

Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency (Five-palm heat, sore throat, left hypochondriac pain):
Chen Shen stated: Sweet and mild methods to regulate deficiency and gentle tonification should be used.
Shengdi (Rehmannia Root), Tiandong (Asparagus Tuber), Baiziren (Biota Seed), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Sheng Baishao (Raw White Peony Root).

Liver and Stomach Both Deficient Hypochondriac Pain: Renshen (Ginseng Root), Zaoren (Ziziphus Seed), Baiziren (Biota Seed), Guiyuan (Longan Aril), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Hualonggu (Flower-coated Dragon Bone), Jinbo (Gold Foil).

Hypochondriac Pain Complicated by Phlegm-Fluid: Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Baijili (Tribulus Fruit), Gouteng (Uncaria Ramulus cum Uncis), Guangpi (Tangerine Peel), Fuling (Poria), Baijiezi (White Mustard Seed), Gancao (Licorice Root).

Wind Entering Collaterals Hypochondriac Pain (Increased appetite, salivation): Shengdi (Rehmannia Root), Baishao (White Peony Root), Tiandong (Asparagus Tuber), Qizi (Goji Berry), Taoren (Peach Kernel), Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Bairen (Biota Seed), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Zelan (Lycopus Herb).

Gallbladder Collateral Blood Stasis Hypochondriac Pain (Vomiting and diarrhea, persistent alternating chills and fever in late spring): Qinghao (Artemisia Annua Herba), Yujin (Curcuma Tuber), Honghua (Carthamus Flower), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Guixu (Angelica Sinensis Root Tip), Zelan Ye (Lycopus Leaf).

Chen Shen stated: Treatment of hypochondriac pain essentially involves Zhang Zhongjing's Xuanshouhua Tang (Inula Decoction), Liu Hejian's Jinlingzi San (Melianthus Powder), as well as pungent-warm methods to unblock collaterals, sweet-mild methods to regulate deficiency, gentle tonification methods, and pungent-vent methods to promote blood circulation. The *Neijing* outlines three methods for treating Liver diseases; for deficiency, it also advocates sweet-mild methods. Moreover, since the disease inevitably damages the Yangming Stomach collaterals and gradually affects the right side, leading to concurrent Liver and Kidney pathology, one should use sweet-flavored herbs (Renshen, Fuling, Gancao, Dazao) combined with sedating agents (Jinbo, Longgu) for treatment.