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Volume 11,Issue 2

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26 February 2026

Exploring the Mechanisms of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment for Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Based on Huang Yuanyu’s Theory of "Circulation of Monistic Qi, Earth as the Pivot of Four Manifestations"

Mingyixuan Wang*
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1 Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China
APM 2026 , 11(2), 264–270; https://doi.org/10.18063/APM.v11i2.1423
© 2026 by the Author. Licensee Whioce Publishing, Singapore. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

To investigate the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), this paper systematically analyzes the pathogenic mechanisms and intervention principles of NSSI based on the theory of "Circulation of Monistic Qi, Earth as the Pivot of Four Manifestations" proposed by Huang Yuanyu, a physician in the Qing Dynasty. The fundamental pathogenic mechanism is identified as spleen-earth deficiency impairing transportation and transformation and dysfunction of the pivotal mechanism. Treatment should aim at restoring the circulation of monistic qi, with strengthening spleen-earth, consolidating the middle jiao, and protecting middle qi as basic therapeutic principles. According to specific pathogenic factors, adjuvant therapies include soothing liver-qi to relieve stagnation, coordinating the heart and kidney, and astringing lung qi to descend rebellious qi. This study provides novel theoretical approaches and practical guidelines for systematically differentiating syndromes and treating adolescent NSSI in clinical settings.

Keywords
Huang Yuanyu
a gas flow
four Elephants of Earth Pivot
adolescents
non-suicidal self-injury
nSSI
traditional Chinese medicine treatment
References

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