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San Jiao Pattern Differentiation in Chinese Medicine

San Jiao Pattern Differentiation in Chinese Medicine

Patterns of the San Jiao

The San Jiao (Triple Burner) is not viewed as an organ distinct from other Zang Fu organs and therefore has no actual patterns. Patterns of the San Jiao are recognized by the same patterns that affect the organs contained therein.

Patterns associated with the areas of the San Jiao

  • Patterns of the Lung and Heart are the patterns of the Upper Jiao (Burner)
  • Patterns of the Spleen and Stomach are those of the Middle Jiao (Burner)
  • Patterns of the Lower Jiao (Burner) are those of the Kidney, Bladder, Small and Large Intestines

Particular patterns or disharmonies are more easily associated with the functions of the San Jiao.

Upper Jiao (Burner)

SJ-2, 3, 5, 8 (Head/Neck) SJ-1 (Chest/Shoulder)

The Upper Burner disperses and vaporizes the Body fluids of the upper body. This function falls under the scope of the Lung dispersing function, for this reason the Upper Jiao is compared to a "Mist".

In a disease state the function of dispersion is blocked usually by an exogenous pathogen (Wind Cold or Wind Heat), Defensive Qi circulation is impaired and the pore are blocked. This results in the manifestations occurring in invasion of the lungs by Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat.

When the San Jiao is attacked directly, usually by Wind-Heat rather than Wind-Cold, there will be deafness, lateral canthus pain, earache, mastoid pain, edema of the cheeks and throat soreness. Curiously, the tongue will typically have an abnormal coating (yellow or white) on one side only. Children frequently have red points on only one side of the tongue.

Middle Jiao (Burner)

SJ-6 (Abdomen/Hypochondriac)

The Middle Jiao digests food and drink (rotting and ripening), it's function is compared to the Stomach.

Disorders of the Middle Jiao are usually characterized by accumulation/stagnation of food in the Stomach.

Lower Jiao (Burner)

SJ-4 (Pelvis)

The Lower Jiao transforms, separates and excretes fluids and is said to be the "Drainage Ditch". It's functions are those of the Bladder, Kidney, Small and Large Intestines.

In disease the Lower Jiao gives rise to symptoms of Damp-Heat or deficient and cold Bladder, Kidney Yang deficiency or Damp Heat in the Small Intestine. All of which result in dysfunction of micturition or defecation.

References Used

The TCM information presented here has been referenced from numerous sources; including teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the following books, as well as other sources. If you have benefited from this information, please consider supporting the authors and their works by purchasing the books below.

TCM Diagnosis Books/References

Browse All Chinese Medicine Reference Texts ▶

General Diagnosis

Diagnosis Home Tongue Diagnosis in TCM 11 Treatment Methods in TCM

4 Pillars of Diagnosis

1. Looking 2. Listening 3. Asking 4. Pulse/Palpation The 29 Pulses Pulse Indications Table

Zang Fu Organ Patterns

Bladder Patterns Heart Patterns Kidney Patterns Large Intestine Patterns Liver Gallbladder Patterns Lung Patterns San Jiao Patterns Small Intestine Patterns Spleen Patterns Stomach Patterns Zang Zu Combined Patterns

Differentiation of Syndromes

By the 4 Levels By the 8 Principles (Ba Gong) By Qi, Blood, & Fluids By San Jiao Patterns By the Six Stages

TCM Gynecology

Amenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Early Menses Extended Menses Flooding & Trickling Menses Heavy Menses Irregular Menses Late Menses Scanty Menses Spotting Menses Associated Symptoms

General TCM

Symptoms & Diagnosis Yin & Yang Diagnosis Table