Severe Upper Abdominal Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different severe upper abdominal pain patterns according to TCM theory
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Severe upper abdominal pain can strike with such ferocity that it might bring everyday life to a standstill. This intense discomfort, located between the chest and the belly button, often demands immediate attention. The pain might feel sharp, stabbing, or create a persistent, gnawing ache that wraps around the upper body, hinting at various underlying issues that could range from the simple to the complex. This symptom, known in medical parlance as severe epigastric pain, casts a wide net, potentially signaling everything from acute gastritis to more pressing concerns like pancreatitis or gallstones.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches severe upper abdominal pain not as a singular ailment but as a symptom of imbalance within the body's Qi (energy), Yin and Yang, and the flow of Blood. In TCM, this region corresponds to the Middle Burner, which encompasses the Spleen and Stomach, organs crucial for digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
TCM posits that pain arises from disruptions to these systems, whether through external factors like diet and climate or internal ones like emotional stress. Recognizing and treating the specific pattern of disharmony is paramount to alleviating pain and restoring health.
TCM Patterns for Severe Upper Abdominal Pain
Cold
Causes: Severe epigastric pain
Herbal Formulas for Severe Upper Abdominal Pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address severe upper abdominal pain