Abstract:

The "Opening-Closing Pivot" theory constitutes a core physiological regulation theory in traditional Chinese medicine. The Taiyang and Taiyin meridians govern "opening", overseeing the dispersion of nutrients and fluid metabolism; the Yangming and Jueyin meridians regulate "closing", managing food digestion and essence-blood storage; the Shaoyang and Shaoyin meridians control "pivot", serving as the core of coordinating qi dynamics and facilitating opening and closing. The synergistic action of the three maintains visceral qi circulation and nutrient distribution, forming a critical developmental mechanism in children. Children with liver depression and spleen deficiency often exhibit short stature due to inherent liver excess and spleen deficiency, which may lead to emotional disturbances and cause Shaoyang pivot stagnation. The stagnated Wood restrains Earth, disrupting Taiyin's opening-closing balance and Yangming's closing mechanism, which, combined with liver-blood deficiency, ultimately compromises the capacity of qi-blood production and impairs musculoskeletal nourishment, resulting in growth retardation. Xiaoyao powder soothes the Shaoyang meridian to regulate the pivot with bupleurum and fingered citron, strengthens the Taiyin meridian to restore opening with Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria and fried Licorice, harmonizes Yangming to assist closing with stewed ginger combined with fingered citron, and nourishes Jueyin to nourish blood with Angelica sinensis and white peony root. The entire formula regulates the pivot, restores opening, assists closing, and nourishes blood, achieving harmonious coordination between liver and spleen as well as mutual generation of qi and blood. It precisely targets the pathogenesis of dysregulation of opening, closing and pivot, making it an effective prescription for treating short stature with liver depression and spleen deficiency.

Key words: Short stature, "Opening-Closing pivot" theory, Xiaoyao powder, Child