Small Intestine Qi Pain
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Small Intestine in Chinese Medicine The concept of Qi
Key attributes
Chinese name: 小肠气痛 Pinyin name: Xiǎo Cháng Qì Tòng
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Precursor patterns: Liver Qi Stagnation
Common causes: 1. Excessive consumption of cold and raw foods, 2. Emotional strain
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Borborygmi Flatulence Testicular pain Abdominal distension Lower abdominal twisting pain and two other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: White coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Move Small Intestine-Qi, promote the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
Common formulas: Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Pathology
The "Qi pain" involved in this pattern is due to Qi Stagnation in the Small Intestine.
It is usually associated with Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Spleen (giving rise to Spleen Qi Deficiency).
The symptoms, such as the twisting abdominal pain with distension, are due to Qi Stagnation preventing the smooth flow of Liver Qi and the transformation of Fluids by the Small Intestine.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Small Intestine Qi Pain can derive from Liver Qi Stagnation
Excessive consumption of cold and raw foods: Excessive consumption of cold and raw foods interferes with the Small Intestine transforming function.
Emotional strain: Since this pattern is closely associated with Liver Qi Stagnation, it is affected by the same emotions: anger, frustration and resentment.
Diagnosing Small Intestine Qi Pain
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: White coating
Main symptoms: Borborygmi Flatulence Testicular pain Abdominal distension Lower abdominal twisting pain Dislike of pressure on the abdomen Abdominal pain relieved by flatulence
Diagnosis commentary: Abdominal twisting pain is enough in and of itself to diagnose Small Intestine Qi pain. Together with borborygmi and the Deep-Wiry pulse it is the key symptom for this pattern.
Treating Small Intestine Qi Pain
Treatment principle
Move Small Intestine-Qi, promote the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
Herbal formulas used to treat Small Intestine Qi Pain
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Formula summary
Chai Hu Shu Gan San is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1602, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement.
Besides Small Intestine Qi Pain, Chai Hu Shu Gan San is also used to treat Rebellious Qi or Liver Blood Stagnation.
Diet recommendations
Stay clear from cold and raw foods, eat only cooked foods.
Consequence patterns
This pattern is usually associated with Liver Qi Stagnation, which it can cause or result from.
Stagnation of Qi in the Small Intestine often lead to both Qi Stagnation and Qi Deficiency of the Spleen