Stomachache

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes in a holistic approach towards treating ailments and seeks to restore balance in the body. TCM attributes stomachache to several factors including liver energy congestion, blood coagulations, indigestion, deficiency and cold, and yin deficiency.

Liver Energy Congestion: Symptoms include abdominal obstruction, abdominal pain, belching, nausea, and numbness. The stomachache often affects the upper abdomen and gets slightly better with massage, but worsens with anger. The TCM treatment approach includes dispersing energy congestion, regulating energy conditions and harmonizing the stomach. Formulations such as Si-Ni-San containing ingredients like brown sugar, garlic, turmeric, kumquat, and beef cherry are used.

Blood Coagulations: This condition presents with symptoms like abdominal pain, bleeding gums, chest pain, coughing out blood, and jaundice. The pain often worsens after eating and presents as if being pricked by a needle. TCM's approach is to activate the blood, transform coagulations, harmonize the stomach and relieve pain. Shi-Xiao-San, a formulation including ambergris, brown sugar, chestnut, and eggplant is commonly used.

Indigestion: Indigestion symptoms include abdominal pain, bad breath after meals, chest congestion, diarrhea, and constipation. The stomachache worsens with massage and occurs all of a sudden with a dislike of foods. The TCM treatment is to promote digestion and harmonize the stomach. Bao-He-Wan is a common remedy including ingredients like asafoetida, buckwheat, castor bean, and peach.

Deficiency and Cold: Symptoms include abdominal pain on both sides of the navel, cold hands and feet, diarrhea containing undigested food, and fatigue. The fear of cold is often seen in such individuals. The treatment approach is to strengthen the spleen and the stomach, warm the internal region, and disperse the cold. Formulations such as Li-Zhong-Tang or Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang are used.

Yin Deficiency: Yin deficiency presents with symptoms like bleeding gums, burning pain in the stomach, constipation, dry mouth, and dry throat. The stomachache often worsens when the stomach is empty. The TCM treatment is to tone the yin, strengthen the stomach and clear the heat in the stomach. Mai-Men-Dong-Tang, a remedy including bird's nest, cheese, and kidney bean, is often prescribed.

Please remember to consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment to discuss potential risks and benefits, and to determine the most appropriate therapy for your specific needs.