Stomach Painaccording to TCM
Symptom families: General Abdominal Pain and Discomfort, Upper Abdominal Pain and Discomfort
Parent symptom: Abdominal Pain
Sub-symptom(s): Chronic Stomach Pain
What is Stomach Pain?
Stomach pain, widely referred to as gastralgia or gastrodynia, is a discomfort or ache localized in the abdominal region. This term encompasses various conditions, from mild cramps and slight bellyaches to severe gastric discomfort. Sub-symptoms under this broad category can include chronic stomach pain, highlighting the diverse manifestations of stomach issues. Such pain is a signal from the body that something is amiss, either physically or, as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) suggests, energetically.
How Does TCM View Stomach Pain?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets stomach pain through the lens of energy imbalance and disharmony within the body's internal systems. Unlike the symptom-focused approach of Western medicine, TCM aims to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony causing the pain.
According to TCM, pain is often a manifestation of disrupted Qi flow or imbalances in the body's Yin and Yang. Identifying the specific pattern is crucial in TCM, as it informs the bespoke treatment strategy designed to rebalance the body's energies and alleviate the symptom.
Causes of Stomach Pain According to TCM
In the realm of Traditional Chinese Medicine, stomach pain is commonly associated with two key patterns of imbalance: Stomach Yang Deficiency and Cold and Heart Blood Deficiency. Stomach Yang Deficiency and Cold is characterized by a craving for hot beverages, a general feeling of coldness, and relief from warmth, indicating a lack of warming Yang energy in the Stomach.
On the other hand, Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnationreflects TCM's holistic view that emotional well-being directly impacts physical health, suggesting that emotional disturbances can manifest as physical symptoms like stomach pain.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Stomach Pain
To address Stomach Yang Deficiency and Cold, TCM recommends the formula Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, which contains Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) to warm the middle and dispel cold, directly targeting the root cause of pain.
For stomach pain arising from Heart Blood Deficiency, the formula Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is used. It features Light Wheats (Fu Xiao Mai) to nourish the heart and calm the mind, addressing the emotional component often associated with this type of pain. These targeted treatments exemplify TCM's individualized approach to healing, focusing on rebalancing internal energies to alleviate symptoms and restore harmony.
See more details below about Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, a herbal formula used to address stomach pain.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind
Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Stomach pain can be treated by these formulas when it stems from a disharmony between the heart and the mind, often manifesting as emotional disturbances or sleep issues.
One such formula is Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, with light wheat as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Stomach Pain
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address stomach pain, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
Herbs that regulate Qi
Stomach pain can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Akebia Fruits (Ba Yue Zha), which is directly recommended for stomach pain.
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Stomach pain can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Cockle Shells (Wa Leng Zi), which is directly recommended for stomach pain.
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Stomach pain can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Light Wheats (Fu Xiao Mai), a key herb in some formulas recommended for stomach pain, like Gan Mai Da Zao Tang.