I like what you said Lee and since I follow more Chinese than Western medicine, my perspective is this:
If you follow the protocols to heal a health issue that are recommended and have helped others, but the problem gets worse or returns there are two things to look at. 1) is this the correct protocol? and 2) what are you holding onto emotionally that is creating the imbalance?
You may benefit from examining whether you tend to hang onto anger and resentments and expect that the world owes you better things. That is an attitute that will create liver imbalance. I have found the most success in flushes where as I'm going to sleep, I recall past resentments and open my heart to release and forgive the people involved. I also practice this in my life now. I suspect attitude is the difference between some people who heal, and some who don't, assuming the protocol is correct.