Abdominal Spasms, Abdominal Cramps

General

Clinical Manifestations
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points	For Wind-Damp: LI-4, ST-36, UB-21

Tai Yin Deficiency With Cold

Clinical Manifestations	Severe abdominal and epigastric pain Prefers warmth and pressure Abdominal distension Cold body Diarrhea with undigested food Aversion to Cold Cold and stiff or rigid extremities Reduced appetite Fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen (likes pressure) Lack of thirst Nausea Vomiting clear fluid Loose stools Anorexia Trismus Constipation (Cold type) Gastric spasms Clear, frequent urination Mild perspiration Maybe syncope T: Pale and maybe moist C: White P: Deep, minute and slow or P:  Slow, sinking or soft and weak
Treatment Principle	Warm Yang Dispel Cold TonifY Qi Strengthen the Spleen
Herb Formulas	Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Points	For pain and Cold: Moxa the abdomen. To strengthen the Spleen and Stomach: ST-36, UB-20, UB-21 (moxa if severe) For abdominal pain and nausea: PC-6, SP-4 For frequent, clear urination:  Moxa REN-4, REN-6 UB-23 For diarrhea: Moxa REN-8

Tai Yin Excess

Clinical Manifestations	Abdominal fullness and pain Abdominal spasms Diarrhea No thirst Nausea Clear frequent urination Aversion to Cold Perspiration Fever Anorexia Vomiting clear fluid Prefers warmth Diarrhea T: Pale or Pink C: White. P: Slow and tight or Soft
Treatment Principle	Regulate the middle Warm the Middle Jiao Disperse Cold Relieve pain
Herb Formulas	Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang
Points	To Strengthen Spleen and Stomach: ST-36, UB-20, UB-21, REN-10, LIV-13 (moxa if severe) For abdominal pain and nausea: PC-6, SP-4, ST-25 For frequent, clear urination: Moxa REN-4, REN-6, UB-23 For Diarrhea: Moxa REN-8 Few needles, deep insertion with moxa

Jue Yin Heat

Clinical Manifestations	Cold extremities Cold fingers and toes with Heat in the Interior Body hot and feverish due to lack of harmony of Liver Qi Thirst Abdominal distention Fever Dark yellow urine Irregular fever Hypochondriac fullness and distention Abdominal pain Severe diarrhea Dysentery Costal pain Menstrual complaints Depression Cough A slight sensation of warmth in the body A sense of irritability and fullness in the chest and epigastrium Mild obstruction and hardening beneath the Heart A visible white line running from the navel to the tip of the breastbone Mild abdominal distention Abdominal spasms Tenesmus Dysuria Diarrhea T: Red or pale C: Yellow or white P: Wiry or wiry and tight or Rapid and slippery
Treatment Principle	Clear Heat Reverse reversals
Herb Formulas	Si Ni San
Points	LIV-2, LIV-3, LIV-14, REN-12, PC-6, SP-6, DU-14, LI-4, LI-11

Large Intestine Excess Heat

Clinical Manifestations	Severe constipation (dry knots) Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Abdominal pain - worse with pressure Tense firm abdomen Tidal fevers Delirious speech Profuse perspiration from the palms and soles Trembling extremities Aversion to Heat Mania Convulsions Abdominal masses Dry mouth Thirst	Cracked lips Periumbilical pain Irritability Heavy body Hemorrhoids Fever Cold extremities Perspiration from the head A hot sensation in the sternum and epigastrium Scanty, dark urination Green, watery and foul-smelling diarrhea Abdominal spasms T: Pink with prickles or Red C: Yellow and dry or Black and dry P: Deep, Excess and rapid or Slippery and rapid
Treatment Principle	Clear Excess Heat with bitter, cold, strong purgative herbs
Herb Formulas	Da Cheng Qi Tang
Points	LI-11, SJ-6, ST-25, ST-37, ST-44, UB-25

Spleen Yang Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Severe abdominal and epigastric pain (likes pressure) Cold body Sallow complexion Cold limbs Feeling chilled Mental fatigue Four limbs feel tired and heavy Diarrhea with undigested food Aversion to Cold Cold and stiff or rigid extremities Reduced appetite Fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen (likes pressure) Abdominal and epigastric distention after eating Anorexia (maybe with vomiting) Lack of thirst Shortness of breath Nausea and vomiting Maybe acid regurgitation Loose stools Trismus Constipation (Cold type) Gastric spasms Mild perspiration Maybe syncope Maybe scanty urine with edema Maybe clear, watery vaginal discharge T: Pale and maybe moist C: White P: Deep, minute and slow or Deep and weak
Treatment Principle	Warm Yang Dispel Cold TonifY Qi Strengthen the Spleen
Herb Formulas	Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Points	Moxa or moxa needle UB-20, ST-36, SP-3, SP-6, SP-5, REN-12, LIV-13

Spleen And Stomach Yang Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Spontaneous perspiration Shortness of breath Occasional fevers Dyspnea Abdominal pain and spasms due to Cold Pain is better with warmth and pressure Pale face or a sallow, dull complexion Fatigue Fidgeting Lethargy Dry mouth Aversion to Cold Frequent, clear urination Constipation Cold extremities Dry throat Hematemesis Irritability Carbuncles Palpitations Hemorrhoids Fever with a preference for hot drinks Dry skin T: Pale C: White P: Minute, thready and weak or Deep and slow or Floating, large and weak
Treatment Principle	Warm and tonify the Spleen and Stomach Replenish Qi Harmonize the Interior Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas	Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Points	Moxa or moxa needle UB-20, UB-21, ST-36, SP-3, SP-6, REN-12, LIV-13

Spleen And Kidney Yang Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Severe abdominal and epigastric pain (likes pressure) Cold body Limbs icy Complexion white and shiny “Cock-crow” diarrhea (occurs at about 5 am) Diarrhea with undigested food Aversion to Cold Cold and stiff or rigid extremities Reduced appetite Fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen (likes pressure) Lack of thirst Nausea and vomiting Loose stools Low back, knees and abdomen feel cold and painful Lower abdomen feels cold and painful Trismus Constipation (Cold type) Gastric spasms Edema of face and limbs Dysuria Mild perspiration Maybe syncope T: Pale and maybe moist or Pale, moist and swollen C: Thin and white or White and greasy P: Deep, minute and slow or Deep, thready, weak and maybe slow
Treatment Principle	Warm Yang Dispel Cold TonifY Qi Strengthen the Spleen
Herb Formulas	Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Points	Moxa or moxa needle UB-20, UB-23, ST-36, SP-6, SP-9, REN-4, REN-12

Stomach Yin Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Stomach cramps No appetite or Famished but with no desire to eat Abdominal distention after meals Dry stools Irritability with low grade fever Maybe dry retching or Hiccups Dry mouth Nausea Hoarseness Thirst Asthma Flushed face Five sole Heat Vomiting T: Red and dry C: Little and dry P: Thready and rapid or Deficient and rapid
Treatment Principle	Benefit the Stomach Generate Fluids Descend Qi Harmonize the Middle Jiao
Herb Formulas	Mai Men Dong Tang
Points	UB-21, ST-36, SP-6, REN-12, KI-3

Stomach And Intestinal Cold

Clinical Manifestations	Severe abdominal and epigastric pain (likes pressure) Cold body Diarrhea with undigested food Aversion to Cold Cold and stiff or rigid extremities Reduced appetite Fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen (likes pressure) Lack of thirst Nausea and vomiting Loose stools Trismus Constipation (Cold type) Gastric spasms Mild perspiration Maybe syncope T: Pale and maybe moist C: White P: Deep, minute and slow
Treatment Principle	Warm Yang Dispel Cold TonifY Qi Strengthen the Spleen
Herb Formulas	Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Points	Moxa or moxa needle UB-20, UB-21, ST-36, SP-3, SP-6, REN-12, LIV-13

Heart Blood Deficiency With Liver Qi Stagnation

Clinical Manifestations	Absent-mindedness Frequent feelings of extreme sadness with an urge to cry Inability to control one's emotions Depression Restless sleep Gastrointestinal spasms Abnormal speech or behavior Disorientation Frequent yawning T: Red C: Scanty P: Small and rapid
Treatment Principle	Nourish the Heart Calm the Shen Harmonize the Middle Jiao Relax tension Tonify Spleen Qi
Herb Formulas	Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Points	UB-15, UB-17, UB-18, UB-20, ST-36, SP-1, SP-6, SJ-6, REN-4, REN-14, PC-6, LIV-3, LIV-4, LIV-5, LIV-13, LIV-14, HT-7, GB-40, GB-41

Liver Qi Stagnation

Clinical Manifestations	Hypochondriac pain and distention Alternating fever and chills Depression Easily angered Chest fullness Bitter taste in mouth Fidgeting Abdominal pain and cramps Breast distention and pain Irritability Dysmenorrhea Irregular menstruation Amenorrhea T: Pink C: Thin and white P: Wiry or Tight
Treatment Principle	Spread Liver Qi Promote Qi circulation Harmonize the Blood Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas	Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang Wu Yao Tang
Points	GB-40, GB-41, LIV-2, LIV-3, LIV-4, LIV-5, LIV-13, LIV-14, PC-6, SJ-6, SP-6, UB-18

Blood Stagnation

Clinical Manifestations	Decreased urination or Interrupted urination or Constant urination or Anuria Maybe fixed, stabbing pain on urination Lower abdominal fullness Lower abdominal pain which may radiate to the genitals Maybe hematuria Tumor formation Purple urine with blood clots Abdominal spasms and tension Suprapubic fullness, distention and pain Maybe lower abdominal masses Pain in the iliac fossa on palpation Soider naevi on the abdomen, inner ankle and inner knee Headache Sinus congestion Constipation Lower back ache Nervousness Fatigue Skin eruptions Scaly, dry skin Headache Shoulder stiffness Vertigo Cold low body and feet Flushed face T: Dark purple or with echymoses or petechiae or pale with purplish spots C: White P: Choppy or Wiry or Tense, deep and slow or Thin or Deep and choppy or Slow and choppy
Treatment Principle	Expel Blood Stagnation and Obstruction
Herb Formulas	Dai Di Dang Wan Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan Huo Xue Hua Yu
Points

Blood Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations	Postpartum emaciation and weakness Persistent, tight abdominal pain Abdominal pain with spasms or radiates to back and waist Cannot eat Shortness of breath Dyspnea Pale face Intermittent spasmodic abdominal pain which is better with Heat and pressure Epigastric pain Lusterless complexion Fidgeting Reduced appetite Maybe low-grade fever Palpitations Irritability Cold and sore extremities Nonspecific discomfort Dry mouth and throat Nocturnal emission Five sole Heat	Debilitated constitution in children Enuresis in children Insomnia Fatigue Anemia Bleeding Abdominal weakness Epistaxis Habitual constipation Maybe warm extremities Night sweats Tired limbs Frequent urination Night crying Diarrhea in children Habitual headache in children Hernia pain in children Chronic constipation Purpura Asthma T: Pale C: White. P: Weak and slow or Thready, wiry and even or Thready and weak
Treatment Principle	Warm and tonify the Spleen and Stomach Relieve spasmodic pain
Herb Formulas	Dang Gui Jian Zhong Tang
Points

Internal Cold

Clinical Manifestations	Abdominal pain Constipation Hypochondriac pain Chills Low-grade fever Cold hands and feet Intolerance of Cold Pain in the armpits Unilateral pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium Stiffness and spasms beside and below the umbilicus Pain in the waist and legs T: Normal C: Greasy and white P: Deep, tight and wiry
Treatment Principle	Warm the Interior Disperse Cold Unblock the bowels Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas	Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Points	Moxa or moxa needle UB-20, UB-21, ST-36, SP-3, SP-6, REN-12, LIV-13

Damp-Heat

Clinical Manifestations	Fever A bitter taste in the mouth Abdominal pain Diarrhea Headache Dysentery Abdominal spasms T: Red C: Yellow P: Rapid or Flooding
Treatment Principle	Clear Heat Alleviate dysenteric disorders Stop diarrhea Harmonize the Middle Jiao Stop pain
Herb Formulas	Huang Qin Tang
Points

Phlegm And Blood Stagnation

Clinical Manifestations	Mild, persistent uterine bleeding of purple and black blood during pregnancy Abdominal pain that is worse with pressure Abdominal spasms and tension Immobile masses in the lower abdomen with pain and tenderness Amenorrhea with distention and pain Dysmenorrhea Headache Sinus congestion Constipation Excess weight in the pelvis Lower back ache Irregular menstruation Nervousness Fatigue Fetal instability Skin eruptions Scanty menstrual flow Scaly, dry skin Retention of lochia Headache Shoulder stiffness Vertigo Cold low body and feet Flushed face Protruding abdomen T: Dark purple or with echymoses or petechiae or pale with purplish spots C: White P: Choppy or Tense and deep and slow
Treatment Principle	Invigorate Blood Transform Blood Stasis Soften lumps Reduces fixed abdominal pain
Herb Formulas	Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Points

Middle Jiao Yang Deficiency With Cold Retention

Clinical Manifestations	Excruciating epigastric and abdominal pain to the point of not being able to to be touched Gastric and Intestinal spasms May be borborygmus. Vomiting to the point of not being able to eat Superficial skin pulsations throughout the abdomen May be cold limbs Strong sensation of Cold in the chest and epigastrium. Severe pain in the head and feet T: Pale or Dark purple C: White and greasy or Slippery P: Thin and tight or slow and wiry or Deep and thready or Hidden
Treatment Principle	Warm and tonify Middle Jiao Yang Descend rebellious Qi Relieve pain
Herb Formulas	Da Jian Zhong Tang Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Points	Moxa or moxa needle UB-20, UB-21, ST-36, SP-3, SP-6, REN-12, LIV-13