Hypogastric distention according to Chinese Medicine
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.
Contents
Hypogastric distention 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 hypogastric distention 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 hypogastric distention is often associated with hypogastric fullness, blood in urine and restlessness in the pattern “Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hypogastric distention we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Tao He Cheng Qi Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause hypogastric distention
In Chinese Medicine hypogastric distention is a symptom for the pattern "Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood
Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
In addition to hypogastric distention, other symptoms associated with Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood include hypogastric fullness, blood in urine and restlessness.
Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood is often treated with Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Tao He Cheng Qi Tang 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: "Dispels Heat and".
A herbal formula that might help with hypogastric distention
Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dispels Heat and. Eliminates Blood Stagnation.
Why might Tao He Cheng Qi Tang help with hypogastric distention?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood' of which hypogastric distention is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for hypogastric distention
The two Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hypogastric distention
Why might Rhubarb (Da Huang) help with hypogastric distention?
Because it is a key herb in Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood' (a pattern with hypogastric distention as a symptom)
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 hypogastric distention?
Because it is a key herb in Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood' (a pattern with hypogastric distention as a symptom)
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.