Excess comes from the body’s immune system fighting off infection, or from stagnation. Excess conditions have strong or full symptoms – sharp or intense pain, fullness or bloating of the abdomen, high or low heat etc.
A patient with an excess condition has a strong voice, coarse breathing, profuse sweating, strong and sharp pain that is worse for pressure, and throws off the bed clothes. They tend to be loud and quick in their movements, there is an intensity about their life and strong emotional reactions.
Full condition is characterised by the presence of a pathogenic factor while the Upright Qi is relatively intact and actively fighting against the pathogenic factor
Empty condition is characterised by an Emptiness (Deficiency) of the Upright Qi and the absence of a pathogenic factor
Full–Empty condition is characterised by an Emptiness of the Upright Qi with the presence of a lingering pathogenic factor that the Upright Qi is not fighting effectively