Upper Abdominal Burning Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different upper abdominal burning pain patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Upper abdominal burning pain is a discomforting sensation characterized by a sharp, intense burning feeling in the stomach area, just below the ribcage. This symptom can signal a variety of conditions, ranging from mild digestive upset to more serious issues such as ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The burning sensation can be transient or persistent, and it may worsen after eating or when lying down.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), upper abdominal burning pain is often associated with an imbalance of Heat within the body. TCM practitioners view this symptom as an indication of excess Heat in the Stomach, or a manifestation of Damp-Heat.
Understanding the specific pattern of disharmony is essential in TCM, as it guides the treatment strategy to not only alleviate the symptom but also address the root cause of the imbalance.
TCM Patterns for Upper Abdominal Burning Pain
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause upper abdominal burning pain
Heat in Lessor Yang
Diagnostic signs
Floating (Fu), Rapid (Shu)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Stomach Heat or Fire
Diagnostic signs
Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Red in the center with a dry thick yellow or dark yellow coating
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Upper Abdominal Burning Pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address upper abdominal burning pain