Lower abdominal twisting pain 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.
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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".
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".
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.
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other symptoms often associated with lower abdominal twisting pain
Scanty periods Dizziness Late period Dark clots in menstrual blood Irritability Blurred vision Amenorrhea Painful period Irregular menstruation Palpitations