Abdominal pain
AliasAbdominal pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Abdominal Pain, known as "stomachache" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), falls under the category of Spleen-stomach system diseases. According to the records in "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," abdominal pain refers to the symptom of abdominal pain caused by the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, liver, gallbladder, and large intestine, leading to the obstruction of Qi and blood circulation. Abdominal pain can be classified into various patterns, such as internal obstruction by cold evil, damp-heat congestion, food retention, and Qi stagnation and blood stasis, each with its unique etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations.
Abdominal pain is a common disease in TCM clinical practice, with the core pathogenesis being mostly the stagnation of Qi and blood in the spleen and stomach. Common triggers include improper diet, exposure to cold and dampness, and emotional disturbances. In the process of differentiation, attention should be paid to the following key points: the nature of abdominal pain, such as cold pain, burning pain, or stabbing pain; the location of abdominal pain, such as epigastrium, flanks, or lower abdomen; and the regularity of abdominal pain over time, such as fixed pain location, exacerbation at night. In addition, it is necessary to differentiate between cold and heat, deficiency and excess, in order to accurately administer treatment.
In TCM clinical practice, the differentiation of abdominal pain mainly includes patterns such as internal obstruction by cold evil, damp-heat congestion, food retention, and Qi stagnation and blood stasis. The pattern of internal obstruction by cold evil is characterized by acute abdominal pain, exacerbation with cold, and alleviation with warmth. The pattern of damp-heat congestion is mainly manifested by resistance to palpation, constipation, or loose stools. The pattern of food retention is characterized by epigastric distension and pain, belching, acid regurgitation, and loss of appetite. The pattern of Qi stagnation and blood stasis is manifested by stabbing pain in the abdomen, fixed pain location, and exacerbation at night. According to traditional Chinese medicine, different patterns should be treated with corresponding adjustment strategies, such as dispelling cold and warming the interior, purging the bowels and clearing heat, digesting food and promoting the flow, and activating blood circulation to remove blood stasis, with the aim of promoting Qi and alleviating pain, and restoring the function of the spleen and stomach.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Internal obstruction by cold evil syndrome
Main Manifestations: Acute abdominal pain, pain exacerbated by cold, relieved by warmth
Management Approach: Disperse cold and warm the interior, regulate Qi and relieve pain
Damp-heat stagnation syndrome
Main Manifestations: Abdominal pain that resists pressure, constipation or loose stools that are not comfortable
Management Approach: Promote bowel movement to release heat, promote Qi flow and relieve constipation
Syndrome of Stagnation of Food and Drink
Main Manifestations: Distension and pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, belching, acid regurgitation, loss of appetite
Management Approach: Digest food and relieve constipation, regulate Qi and relieve pain
Stagnation and blood stasis
Main Manifestations: Abdominal lancinating pain, fixed at the pain point, worse at night
Management Approach: Activate blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, promote Qi flow and relieve pain
The above syndrome information is based on traditional Chinese medicine textbooks and clinical standards. Specific differentiation should be completed by a practicing traditional Chinese medicine physician in person.
Physician's Clinical Insights
In clinical observation of abdominal pain, it is often necessary to carefully differentiate between cold and heat, deficiency and excess. For cold pain, warmth should be applied; for heat pain, cooling measures are required.
— Li Mingjiu Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
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This page is for the popular science of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Specific diagnosis should be completed by a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in person.
This article has been reviewed by licensed TCM physicians at Hangzhou Kezhentang TCM Clinic. It is for TCM popular science reference only and does not involve specific treatment plan recommendations.
References: Internal Medicine of TCM (13th Five-Year Plan Textbook), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Effectiveness Standards for TCM Diseases and Syndromes (ZY/T001.1-94), Classification and Codes of TCM Diseases and Syndromes (GB/T 15657-2021)