As acupuncture students and practitioners, we know that emotions are not abstract—they live in the body and affect the movement of Qi and Blood. Among all emotions, anger is one of the most clinically common, yet it’s often misunderstood.

Globally, 22% of adults report feeling angry most of the time, and studies show 65% of office workers have experienced “office rage.” These statistics aren’t just social commentary—they’re diagnostic red flags. When a patient tells you, “I yell at my kids the minute I walk in the door,” that’s not just emotional reactivity—it’s a possible Liver disharmony asking to be treated.

Today, I’m going to walk you throughIn today’s video, I will walk you through the Chinese medicine perspective on anger, exploring its full spectrum—from impatience and frustration to irritability, anger, and even extreme rage. Then, I’ll discuss symptoms, root causes, and how we address them using Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as well as practical stress management techniques you can share with your patients to help them prevent anger from taking over.

Let’s go!

Clara
TCM Geek

Links mentioned in this video:

TCM Diagnosis Made Easy Masterclass

TCM Treatments Made Easy Book or PDF

Grief and Sadness video

Worry & Overthinking video

Fear, Anxiety & Phobias video

Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38699452/

TOP Acupuncture Points for ANGER in TCM

Firstly, in TCM, we recognize a progression: impatience → frustration → irritability → anger → rage. While Western psychology often treats these as behaviour or mood issues, we see them as signs of Qi obstruction, internal Heat, or Liver imbalance.

The Root Causes of Anger May Include:

Psychological & Emotional:

• Suppressed resentment, injustice, or disappointment

• Fear of failure, powerlessness, or unresolved trauma

• Mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, BPD)

Physiological:

• Chronic stress, fatigue, and hormonal dysregulation

• Neurological overstimulation (excessive amygdala activity, poor frontal cortex inhibition)

• Medication side effects (e.g., statins) or liver pathology

External Triggers:

• Environmental chaos, workplace friction, and relationship issues

• Childhood trauma or PTSD patterns

Clinical Pearl: Always assess a patient’s history of trauma or suppressed emotional expression when treating Liver Qi stagnation with irritability. These root causes often differentiate simple stagnation from more complex internal Heat or Shen disturbance.

How Chronic Anger Shows Up in the Body

Secondly, the effects of long-term anger are somatic and systemic. If Liver Qi doesn’t move, neither will the Blood or emotions.

Common physical signs include:

• Headaches and migraines, especially temporal or vertex

• Muscle tension (neck, jaw, shoulders)

• Digestive issues: IBS, reflux, nausea (Liver overacting on Spleen/Stomach)

• Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling asleep or vivid, angry dreams)

• Hypertension, chest tightness, palpitations

• Menstrual irregularities (especially with PMS and breast distention)

TCM View: Liver, the Wood Element, and Emotional Flow

Thirdly, in Five Element theory, anger corresponds to the Liver and Wood element, whose nature is movement and flexibility. When movement is restricted—by repression, trauma, or stress—the Liver reacts.

Key Liver Patterns:

• Qi Stagnation – most common; irritability, sighing, PMS, distention

• Liver Fire or Liver Yang Rising – red eyes, headaches, outbursts, tinnitus

• Liver Attacking Spleen/Stomach – IBS, nausea, hypochondriac pain

• Blood Deficiency – less angry but more irritable, moody, and tense

• Liver/Kidney Yin Deficiency – longer-term anger leading to Yin depletion, insomnia, heat signs

Related Emotional Pathologies:

• Fear (Water) can generate Anger

• Worry (Earth) may over-control it

• Sadness (Metal) can insult the Wood element

Treatment Strategies for Anger in Clinical Practice

Fourthly, anger treatment requires choosing points that not only address the Liver but also harmonize the Shen and support the root imbalances (e.g., Yin deficiency, Spleen damage).

Top Acupuncture Point Strategies:

For Liver Qi Stagnation:

• LV 3 + GB 34 – move Qi, soften rigidity

• PC 6 – regulate Shen, open chest

• SP 6 – support Spleen and emotional digestion

For Liver Fire / Yang Rising:

• LV 2 – clear Fire

• LI 11 – drain Heat

• DU 20, GB 20, Tai Yang – anchor Yang, release pressure

For Emotional Regulation:

• Yin Tang – calm Shen, soften intensity

• HT 7 / Shen Men (ear) – root Spirit

• Ear points: Liver, Heart, Shen Men, Sympathetic

Case Insight: If the anger is sharp, sudden, and explosive, suspect Liver Fire. If it’s more brooding, internalized, and tied to stress, treat Liver Qi stagnation with underlying Blood or Yin deficiency.

Lifestyle + Dietary Tools for Support

Supplements for Stress/Anger Management:

• L-Theanine – calm alertness, reduces reactivity

• Magnesium (glycinate or threonate) – muscle & mood support

• Omega-3s – reduce inflammation and stabilize mood

• Ashwagandha – adaptogen to calm HPA axis (when appropriate)

Foods to Recommend:

• Greens, sprouts, sour foods – move Liver Qi

• Chia, walnuts, flax – nourish Yin and calm inflammation

• Avocado, root vegetables – ground and nourish

Foods to Limit or Avoid:

• Spicy, greasy, fried foods

• Excess caffeine and alcohol

• Refined carbs (mood swings via blood sugar spikes)

Movement & Mind-Body Integration

Lastly, Qi Gong and Tai Chi are exceptional for supporting the Liver, smoothing Qi, and reconnecting to internal rhythm. Several studies show Qi Gong reduces anger, depression, and autonomic dysregulation in emotionally reactive individuals.

Encourage patients to engage in:

• Daily walks in nature

• Tai Chi classes (even online!)

• Breathing with movement to “unclog” Liver Qi

Final Thoughts: Treating the Root of Anger is an Act of Compassion

As TCM students and practitioners, your understanding of emotional disharmony is profound. When you treat anger, you’re not just addressing mood—you’re restoring the flow of life force.

Whether through a carefully placed needle at LV 2, or gently guiding a patient toward mindful breathwork and dietary changes, every treatment is a step toward emotional freedom.

Anger is not bad—it’s stuck. And your role is to help it move again.

Let this post also be your reminder: You can only guide others toward balance when you’re supporting your own.