Abdominal Pain

腹痛

Pain or discomfort in the abdominal region from various internal imbalances.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Digestive Health
Also Known As	Belly pain, Stomach ache, Abdominal cramps, Tummy pain, Lower abdominal pain
Common Symptoms	Pain or discomfort located in the abdomen, ranging from a dull ache to sharp or spasmodic pain. It may prefer warmth or pressure, or may worsen with pressure or after eating. Timing can relate to meals, the menstrual cycle, or emotional stress, and bowel habits may change alongside the pain.
Related TCM Patterns	Yang Deficiency · Blood Stasis · Damp-Heat · Blood Deficiency · Stomach Heat · Food Stagnation · Qi Stagnation · Summer Heat · Phlegm-Heat · Cold Accumulation · Shaoyang Syndrome
Related Classical Formulas	Xiao Jian Zhong Tang · Li Zhong Tang · Da Jian Zhong Tang · Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang · Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang · Si Ni Tang · Wen Jing Tang · Da Cheng Qi Tang · Tao Hong Si Wu Tang · Zhen Wu Tang · Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang · Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang · Sheng Hua Tang · Si Shen Wan · Xiao Cheng Qi Tang · Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang · Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan · Wu Zhu Yu Tang · Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang · Huai Hua San · Da Huang Mu Dan Tang · Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang · Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan · Xiang Ru Yin · Bai Tou Weng Tang · Tong Xie Yao Fang · Xiao Ji Yin Zi · Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang · Ba Zheng San · Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang · Dang Gui Shao Yao San · Jin Ling Zi San · Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang · Shi Xiao San · Xiao Xian Xiong Tang · Wu Mei Wan · Da Chai Hu Tang · Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan

Abdominal Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, abdominal pain is organised by pattern rather than by location alone. The same pain may be associated with Yang deficiency, Blood stasis, Stomach Heat or Blood deficiency. Differentiation asks whether the pain is relieved by warmth and pressure or worsened by them, whether there is constipation or loose stools, fixed or moving pain, and whether heat signs such as thirst and a yellow tongue coating are present. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern distinctions, not to the word “abdominal pain” in isolation.

TCM Patterns Associated With Abdominal Pain

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Yang Deficiency陽虛證Deficiency Patterns	Aversion to cold, cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and clothing, and low energy that worsens in cold weather. There may be loose stools, clear copious urine, a pale puffy face, and reduced libido or lumbar weakness. The person feels better with warmth and worse with cold exposure. Tongue pale and possibly swollen with a white coating; pulse deep and weak.	Xiao Jian Zhong Tang Li Zhong Tang Da Jian Zhong Tang Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang Si Ni Tang Zhen Wu Tang Si Shen Wan Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Blood Stasis血瘀證Stagnation Patterns	Fixed, stabbing or piercing pain that does not move freely, often worse at night or with pressure. The complexion may look darker or purplish, and in women the menstrual flow can be dark with clots. Lips or nails may appear dusky. Tongue dark or with purple spots or congested veins under the tongue; pulse choppy or wiry and hesitant.	Tao Hong Si Wu Tang Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang Sheng Hua Tang Huai Hua San Xiao Ji Yin Zi Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang Shi Xiao San
Damp-Heat濕熱證Damp Patterns	A heavy body with a sense of heat, sticky or bitter taste in the mouth, scanty dark urine, and discomfort that worsens in hot humid weather. There may be greasy skin, sticky stools, or yellowish discharge. Thirst is present but drinking may not feel satisfying. Tongue red with a yellow greasy coating; pulse slippery and rapid.	Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang Da Huang Mu Dan Tang Bai Tou Weng Tang Ba Zheng San
Blood Deficiency血虛證Deficiency Patterns	A pale or sallow complexion, dry hair or skin, light-headedness on standing, blurred vision, and easy fatigue. In women the menstrual flow is often scanty and pale. Sleep may be light, and the hands and feet can feel numb when tired. Tongue pale and thin; pulse thin and weak.	Wen Jing Tang Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Stomach Heat胃熱證Heat Patterns	Burning or discomfort in the epigastrium, thirst with preference for cold drinks, bad breath, and a tendency toward constipation or dry stools. The gums may feel swollen or sore, and appetite can be strong yet unsettled. Tongue red with a yellow coating, possibly dry in the centre; pulse slippery and rapid.	Da Cheng Qi Tang Xiao Cheng Qi Tang Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang
Food Stagnation食積證Stagnation Patterns	Epigastric or abdominal fullness and distension after eating, foul belching or sour regurgitation, and reduced appetite for the next meal. Stools may be foul-smelling or sticky, and the person often feels better after vomiting or passing stool. Symptoms clearly relate to overeating or irregular meals. Tongue with a thick greasy coating; pulse slippery.	Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Tong Xie Yao Fang Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang Jin Ling Zi San Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan
Summer Heat暑熱證Exterior Patterns	Fever or a strong sense of heat after exposure to hot weather, heavy sweating, thirst, and fatigue or heaviness of the body. There may be irritability, scanty dark urine, and a preference for cool drinks. Symptoms often start in high summer. Tongue red with a dry yellow coating; pulse rapid and possibly soft or large.	Xiang Ru Yin
Phlegm-Heat痰熱證Phlegm Patterns	Yellow or sticky phlegm that is hard to expectorate, chest tightness, and a sense of heat or restlessness. There may be a bitter taste, thirst, and constipation or dark urine when heat is marked. Cough can be forceful with a rattling sound. Tongue red with a yellow greasy coating; pulse slippery and rapid.	Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Cold Accumulation寒積證Cold Patterns	Fixed cold pain in the abdomen that prefers warmth and worsens with cold food or exposure. There may be constipation or difficult stools, cold limbs, and a preference for warm drinks. The abdomen can feel hard or full on pressure. Tongue pale with a white coating; pulse deep and tight or wiry.	Wu Mei Wan
Shaoyang Syndrome少陽證Exterior Patterns	Alternating chills and fever, fullness and discomfort in the chest and rib-side, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, dizziness, poor appetite and nausea, and an irritable or restless mood. Tongue with a thin white coating; pulse wiry.	Da Chai Hu Tang