Abdominal Pain - Cold

Cold is a common pathological condition in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is characterized by its ability to "freeze and constrict." It is particularly inhibiting to the circulation of qi and blood, and leads to intense, cramping pain.

Excess and deficiency cold patterns can appear similar, and the severity of pain is subjective. Pain that is unbearable for one person may be tolerable for another. The key difference in identifying these conditions is the response of the abdomen to palpation. Excess pain will worsen with pressure, whereas deficiency pain may be alleviated with pressure or at least remain unchanged.

There are numerous variations of cold patterns, depending on the presence of dampness, location of the cold, and the relative strength or weakness of the patient and the pathogen.

Some common variations include:

1. Excess
   1. Mild to moderate pain
   2. Moderate to severe pain
   3. Severe, excruciating pain
   4. External cold-dampness invasion
   5. With constipation
2. Deficiency
   1. Spleen yang qi deficiency
   2. Spleen yang deficiency with constipation
   3. Kidney yang deficiency and edema
   4. Cold and blood stasis in the channels
   5. Cold accumulation in the Womb
   6. Postpartum, with blood stasis
   7. With qi stagnation in the genitals
   8. In Penetrating and Conception vessels

It's important to note that the variations listed above are not exhaustive, but rather illustrative of the possibilities and some of the more common variations. It's always best to consult a qualified practitioner for proper diagnosis and treatment of any condition.