Stomach pain
Stomach pain is pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, usually in the area between the lower sternum and navel. The pain can be nagging, burning, cramping or stabbing and sometimes radiating to the side or back. Also, symptoms such as bloating, belching, nausea, reflux or changes in bowel movements can occur.
Stomach pain can have many different causes. Sometimes there is a condition of the stomach itself, such as gastritis or stomach ulcer, but symptoms may also be associated with nutrition, stress, medication or other organs in the upper abdomen.
Within Chinese medicine, therefore, not only does it look at where the pain is, but also at how the pain feels, when it arises and which makes it better or worse. This helps determine which underlying pattern needs to be treated.
More general information about gastrointestinal problems can be found on the page Digestive complaints .
Western disorders that can cause stomach pain
Gastrointestinal pain may include:
- gastritis;
- a stomach ulcer or a 12-fingered bowel ulcer;
- reflux and oesophagitis;
- functional dyspepsia;
- pancreatitis;
- gallstones or gallbladder inflammation;
- irritable bowel;
- gastrointestinal infections;
- side effects of medicines, including certain anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs).
Not all of the pain experienced as a stomach pain is actually from the stomach. Also disorders of for example the gall bladder, pancreas, oesophagus and in some cases the heart can cause pain in this area.
Possible causes of stomach pain
Stomach pain may develop acutely, for example after eating wrong or too much, infection or strong irritation of the stomach. In the case of recurrent complaints, multiple factors often play at the same time.
Food is an important factor. Large meals, lots of fat or highly seasoned food, alcohol, coffee and other foods can cause problems in some people. Eating irregularly or eating very little for a long time may also interfere with stomach function.
In addition, prolonged stress can have a clear influence. The stomach and intestine react strongly to changes in the nervous system, which may include, for example, cramps, a "knot in the stomach," belching or changes in bowel movements.
Certain medicines can also irritate the stomach. Especially regular use of NSAIDs can damage the lining of the stomach.
How can acupuncture help with stomach pain?
Acupuncture not only looks at the location of the pain, but also the character of the pain gives important information. For example, burning stomach pains require a different approach than spasming pain that improves due to warmth or a nagging pain that occurs especially when the stomach is empty.
Additional complaints such as reflux, belching, nausea, bloating and changes in stool are also included.
The treatment may include:
- support the normal movement and function of the Stomach;
- reduce tension and stagnation in stress-related stomach pain;
- spasms and pain reduction;
- Removing cold when heat clearly relieves the symptoms;
- Reduce heat in case of burning or irritated stomach discomfort;
- Dampness, Phlegm or food tagging reduce when feeling heavy and bloated;
- strengthen digestion in the event of prolonged weakness.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with stomach pain?
Chinese herbs are also tuned to the pattern behind the stomach pain. As a result, the composition may vary considerably between people with apparently the same complaint.
For acute symptoms, treatment may be aimed at reducing stagnation, Cold or Heat. In case of prolonged stomach problems, support for the digestion or nutrition of the stomach mucosa can become more important according to the TCM vision.
The treatment may include:
- regulate Stomach and reduce pain;
- Make stuck Qi move again;
- reducing food tagging;
- Transform Dampness and Phlegm;
- Reduce excessive heat or expel Cold;
- Fortify Qi and Yang in weak, cold digestion;
- Stomach-Yin nourish during prolonged dryness and irritation.
Acupuncture and herbs can be used separately, but can also complement each other in case of chronic complaints.
How does Chinese medicine view stomach pain?
Within Chinese medicine, the Stomach organ system plays a central role in upper abdominal pain. The Stomach receives food and works closely with the Spleen organ system to process nutrition. For proper digestion, Qi, Blood and body fluids must be able to move freely.
When this movement is blocked, pain can occur. This can happen for example through Qi-stagnation, food that is not sufficiently processed, Dampness or Phlegm. Cold can also slow down and spasms as it were.
The Liver organ system is also important. Within TCM, the Liver helps with a smooth movement of Qi. In case of tension and stress, this movement can freeze and disturb the Stomach. This can cause complaints such as a button in the stomach, a tense upper abdomen, belching or pain.
Long-term complaints can lead to shortages. A weakened Spleen- and Stomach-Yang gives rather cold, whining complaints, while a shortage of Stomach-Yin may be associated with dryness and burning or gnawing pain.
More information about Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang, Dampness, Phlegm and the different organ systems can be found at TCM basics .
A TCM organ system includes more than just the anatomical organ. It describes a whole of functions and relationships within the body.
A recognizable combination of signs and symptoms is called a TCM-pattern within Chinese medicine. The pattern helps determine which treatment suits someone best.
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. Therefore, you can recognize yourself in several descriptions. Also, not everyone with the same pattern has all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined based on the overall picture of complaints.
Most common TCM patterns in stomach pain
Liver-Qi disturbs the Stomach
This is a common pattern when stomach complaints clearly respond to stress and emotions. Within TCM it is said that stuck Liver-Qi interferes with the normal movement of the Stomach. Initially, symptoms can occur mainly during stress, but if this plays for a long time they can come back more easily.
Common symptoms:
- cramping or oppressive pain in the upper abdomen;
- a feeling of tension or bloating;
- clear worsening due to stress;
- a button in the stomach lining;
- many belching, sometimes providing relief for belching;
- reflux or heartburn;
- irritability, frustration or tension;
- sometimes constipation alternated with diarrhoea.
Examples of Western disorders: functional dyspepsia, stress-related stomach discomfort, gastritis, reflux and irritable bowel.
Cold in the Stomach
Cold, according to TCM, can slow down the normal movement of Qi and Blood and cause the stomach to cramp. The pattern may develop suddenly, for example after a lot of cold or raw food, but may also occur in people with a naturally weaker and colder digestion.
Common symptoms:
- sudden, spasming stomach pain;
- clear improvement by heat or hot drinks;
- increased pressure with an acute Cold pattern;
- little or no thirst, or preference for hot drinks;
- nausea or watery vomiting;
- a lot of saliva;
- sometimes diarrhoea.
Examples of Western disorders: acute gastroenteritis, stomach cramps, functional dyspepsia and some forms of gastritis.
Phlegm-Dampness in the Stomach
In this pattern, moisture and nutrition according to TCM are not sufficiently processed, which can cause Dampness and eventually Phlegm. This hinders the normal movement of the stomach and often gives a more heavy, full and blocked feeling than sharp pain.
Common symptoms:
- dull or nasty stomach pain;
- strong feeling of fullness or blockade;
- bloating;
- complaints that may be worse in the morning;
- fatigue and feeling heavy in the body;
- low appetite;
- nausea;
- feeling blurred or heavy in the head;
- sometimes a lot of mucus or dizziness.
Examples of Western disorders: functional dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, irritable bowel and long-term digestive symptoms.
Stomach-Heat
At Stomach-Heat, the stomach is overly stimulated and heated according to TCM. Nutrition can play a role in this, but Heat can also occur when long-term Qi-stagnation develops.
Common symptoms:
- burning stomach pain;
- symptoms that get worse after eating or pressure;
- heartburn and acid repellents;
- unpleasant or bitter taste;
- bad breath;
- thirst preferably for cold drinks;
- sometimes remarkably hungry;
- constipation;
- irritability or restlessness.
Examples of Western disorders: gastritis, reflux, gastric ulcer and functional dyspepsia.
Food stagnation
Food stagnation occurs when, according to TCM, food accumulates temporarily or for a long time in the stomach. This can happen after eating too much or heavy, but can also return more easily with weaker digestion.
Common symptoms:
- stomach pain with a strong feeling full or bloated;
- clear worsening after eating;
- pain or pressure that can improve after belching, vomiting or stool;
- indigestion;
- acid repellents;
- strong or unpleasant belching;
- bad breath;
- nausea or vomiting of undigested food;
- constipation or highly smelly stools.
Examples of Western disorders: indigestion and functional dyspepsia.
Blood stasis in the Stomach
In case of prolonged stomach upset, the circulation of Blood according to TCM may stagnate more and more. The pain often changes from a diffuse or tense sensation to a clearly identifiable and sharper pain.
Common symptoms:
- fixed, sharp stabbing or drilling stomach pain;
- the pain is clearly marked in one place;
- increase due to pressure;
- complaints can be worse at night;
- pain radiating to the back sometimes;
- in more serious conditions possible blood vomiting or black, tarry stools.
Examples of Western diseases: chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, chronic pancreatitis and other long-term gastrointestinal disorders.
Bleeding or black, tarry stools may indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and require medical assessment.
Spleen- and Stomach-Yang-deficiency
The digestive system according to TCM has been weakened for a long time and lacks sufficient heating and activating power. Therefore, the pain is usually less sharp than with an acute pattern of Cold and is more often associated with fatigue and other signs of digestive weakness.
Common symptoms:
- chronic, dull or nasty stomach pain;
- improvement by heat, pressure and hot drinks;
- symptoms when you are tired or cold;
- low appetite;
- prefer small quantities of hot food;
- bloating;
- loose stools or diarrhoea;
- tiredness and feeling heavy after eating;
- cold hands and feet.
Examples of Western disorders: chronic gastritis, functional dyspepsia, chronic indigestion and some forms of gastric ulcer.
Stomach-Yin-deficiency
Stomach-Yin stands within TCM for the nourishing and moistening aspect of the stomach. If this weakens, the stomach can become more sensitive and dryer. This pattern usually occurs gradually after prolonged stomach upset.
Common symptoms:
- dull, gnawing or burning stomach pain;
- symptoms when the stomach is empty;
- sometimes some improvement due to food or pressure;
- pain can be worse at night;
- dry mouth and throat;
- slight nausea or dry gagging;
- low appetite, sometimes hungry but not eating;
- dry stools or constipation.
Examples of Western disorders: chronic or atrophic gastritis, reflux, gastric ulcer and long-term functional stomach discomfort.
When is medical research important?
Stomach pain is often innocent, but upper abdominal pain can also be caused by conditions that require medical examination.
Contact a doctor in case of severe or sudden pain, persistent or worsening symptoms, unexplained weight loss, repeated vomiting, swallowing problems, blood vomiting or black tar-like stools. New or unexplained stomach pains that persist for a longer period of time should also be medically assessed.
Sudden severe upper abdominal pain together with symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, breathlessness, sweating or pain radiating to the arm, back or jaw requires urgent medical assessment.
Outlook
The course of treatment strongly depends on the cause and duration of stomach pain. Acute symptoms due to for example Cold, food stagnation or temporary Qi-stagnation may change relatively quickly. In long term gastritis, Stomach-Yin deficiency, Blood stasis or a marked weakening of digestion usually requires more time.
As a directive, one treatment per week is often maintained at the beginning. In case of severe acute symptoms more frequently treatment can be appropriate. When complaints are reduced, the frequency can be reduced. In case of chronic stomach problems changes in diet, eating habits and possible stress factors are often an important part of the treatment pathway.
Contact
Do you have regular stomach pain and want to know if acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine can help your symptoms? Please feel free to contact us. During the first appointment, we will discuss your stomach problems, possible trigger factors and your general health to determine which treatment best suits your situation.