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.
Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like abdominal pain that increases upon pressure here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here abdominal pain that increases upon pressure is often associated with severe constipation, flatulence and focal distention in the pattern “Heat in Yang brightness Organs”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause abdominal pain that increases upon pressure.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of abdominal pain that increases upon pressure we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat abdominal pain that increases upon pressure.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
In Chinese Medicine abdominal pain that increases upon pressure is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the king ingredient for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Grey or black coating, Yellow coating
In addition to abdominal pain that increases upon pressure, other symptoms associated with Heat in Yang brightness Organs include severe constipation, flatulence and focal distention.
Heat in Yang brightness Organs is often treated with Da Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Da Cheng Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that purge heat accumulation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines".
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the king ingredient for Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang, a formula used for Blood Stagnation with Heat
Blood Stagnation with Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to abdominal pain that increases upon pressure, other symptoms associated with Blood Stagnation with Heat include pain in the groin and alternating fever and chills.
Blood Stagnation with Heat is often treated with Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Stagnant Heat in the intestines".
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the king ingredient for Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, a formula used for Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
In addition to abdominal pain that increases upon pressure, other symptoms associated with Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus include painful period, irregular menstruation and lochia retention.
Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus is often treated with Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Cinnamon Twigs - Gui Zhi - as a key herb). Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes Blood and lymphatic circulation, thus eleminates Blood Stagnation".
Read more about Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus here
Three herbal formulas that might help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines. Relieves constipation.
Why might Da Cheng Qi Tang help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Yang brightness Organs' of which abdominal pain that increases upon pressure is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat In Yang Brightness Organs include severe constipation, flatulence and focal distention.
Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Clears Stagnant Heat in the intestines. Reduces swelling and disperses lumps.
Why might Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation with Heat' of which abdominal pain that increases upon pressure is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Blood Stagnation With Heat include pain in the groin and alternating fever and chills.
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes Blood and lymphatic circulation, thus eleminates Blood Stagnation. Softens and resolves hard lumps such as cysts and fibroids.
Why might Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus' of which abdominal pain that increases upon pressure is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Blood Stagnation And Phlegm In The Uterus include painful period, irregular menstruation and lochia retention.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat abdominal pain that increases upon pressure as a symptom, like Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang or Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Why might Rhubarb (Da Huang) help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure?
Because Rhubarb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat abdominal pain that increases upon pressure as a symptom, like Da Cheng Qi Tang or Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang for instance.
Rhubarb is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis.
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure?
Because Peach Kernel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat abdominal pain that increases upon pressure as a symptom, like Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang or Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan for instance.
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus' (a pattern with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure as a symptom)
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) help with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus' (a pattern with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure as a symptom)
Cinnamon Twigs is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood.
Other symptoms often associated with abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
Painful period Irregular menstruation Lochia retention Severe constipation Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Tense and firm abdomen Pain in the groin Alternating fever and chills