Lower abdominal twisting pain according to Chinese Medicine

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Lower abdominal twisting pain 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 lower abdominal twisting pain 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 lower abdominal twisting pain is often associated with abdominal distension, dislike of pressure on the abdomen and borborygmi in the pattern “Small Intestine Qi Pain”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause lower abdominal twisting pain.

Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of lower abdominal twisting pain we’ve identified five 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 lower abdominal twisting pain.

The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause lower abdominal twisting pain

In Chinese Medicine lower abdominal twisting pain is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.

The Small Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Small Intestine in Chinese Medicine

Small Intestine Qi Pain

Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)

In addition to lower abdominal twisting pain, other symptoms associated with Small Intestine Qi Pain include abdominal distension, dislike of pressure on the abdomen and borborygmi.

Small Intestine Qi Pain is often treated with Chai Hu Shu Gan San, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Chai Hu Shu Gan San belongs to the category of "formulas that promote qi movement", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood".

Read more about Small Intestine Qi Pain here

Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu) is the king ingredient for Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a formula used for Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus

Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus

Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)

In addition to lower abdominal twisting pain, other symptoms associated with Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus include scanty periods, dizziness and late period.

From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Scanty Menstruation or Absence Of Menstruation.

Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus is often treated with Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Coco-Grass Rhizomes - Xiang Fu - as a key herb). Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Resolves Dampness and Phlegm".

Read more about Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus here

Five herbal formulas that might help with lower abdominal twisting 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.

Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Small Intestine Qi Pain' of which lower abdominal twisting pain is a symptom.

Read more about Chai Hu Shu Gan San here

Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan

Source date: 1817 AD

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Key actions: Resolves Dampness and Phlegm.

Why might Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus' of which lower abdominal pain is a symptom.

Read more about Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan here

Wei Ling Tang

Source date: 1481 AD

Number of ingredients: 9 herbs

Key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.

Why might Wei Ling Tang help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus' of which lower abdominal pain is a symptom.

Read more about Wei Ling Tang here

Wan Dai Tang

Source date: 1826 AD

Number of ingredients: 10 herbs

Key actions: Tonifies the Middle Burner. Removes Dampness. Stops vaginal discharge. Strengthens the Spleen.

Why might Wan Dai Tang help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus' of which lower abdominal pain is a symptom.

Read more about Wan Dai Tang here

Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang

Source date: 1575 AD

Number of ingredients: 7 herbs

Key actions: Resolves Damp-Phlegm. Nourishes Blood.

Why might Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus' of which lower abdominal pain is a symptom.

Read more about Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang here

Acupuncture points used for lower abdominal twisting pain

The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat lower abdominal twisting pain

Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lower abdominal twisting pain as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Da Ying Jian for instance.

Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.

Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.

Read more about Liquorice here

Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lower abdominal twisting pain as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Sheng Yu Tang for instance.

Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.

Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.

Read more about Dong Quai here

Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lower abdominal twisting pain as a symptom, like Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.

Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.

Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.

Read more about Szechuan Lovage Roots here

Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lower abdominal twisting pain as a symptom, like Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang or Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan for instance.

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.

Read more about Poria-Cocos Mushrooms here

Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with lower abdominal twisting pain?

Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lower abdominal twisting pain as a symptom, like Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang or Wan Dai Tang for instance.

Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.

Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.

Read more about Atractylodes Rhizomes here