(1)Stomach being attacked by exogenous pathogen The attack of exogenous cold or overeating of uncooked and cold food will lead to accumulation of cold in middle-Jiao,which hinders the stomach-Yang,and obstructs the functional activities of Qi,resulting in stomachache.

(2)Stagnation of liver-Qi Stomachache due to the stagnation of the functional activities of Qi and the failure of stomach-Oi in descending resulting from anxiety,worry and anger impairing the liver and causing stagnated liver-Qi to attack the stomach.

(3)Deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach Stomachache resulting from the deficiency-cold in the middle-Jiao and the impairment of spleen and stomach by over strain or abnormal ingestion.

How do you differentiate and treat syndromes of liver-Qi attacking stomach and asthenia cold of spleen and stomach?

(1)Deficiency-cold of spleen and stomach

[Main points of differentiation] Dull pain with preference for warmth and pressure.

[Treatment] Expelling cold by warming middle-Jiao.

[Recipe] Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang

(2)Hyperactive liver-qi attacking stomach

[Main points of differentiation] Distending and wandering pain over the epigastrium radiating to the hypochondriac region,and related to emotional changes.

[Treatment] Dispersing the stagnated liver-Qi.

[Recipe] Chai Hu Shu Gan San

Acupuncture Treatment

(1)Exeessive pattern

[treatment] Select the front Mu and He-(sea)points of the stomach,and points from the Jueyin and foot Taiyin meridians,The reducing method of needling is used.Moxibustion is applicable in the case of retention of cold in the stomach.

[Prescription] Zhongwan,Zusanli,Neiguan,Gongsun and Taichong

(2)Deficient pattern

[Treatment] Select back Shu points,and from Mu point and points from the Foot Taiyin and Yangming meridians as chief points.The reinforcing method of needling is used.

[Prescription] Pishu,Weishu,Zhongwan,Zhangmen and Zusanli

[Additional prescription depend on different syndromes]
Deficiency of stomach Yin:Taixi and Sanyinjiao;
Deficiency of spleen and stomach Yang:Moxibustion on Qi-hai;