The main symptom of stomach pain, also known as epigastric pain, involves paroxysmal repeated pain in the upper abdomen, aggravated by hunger or fullness. Stomach pain is usually caused by weakness of the spleen and stomach and is related to changes in food, drink, emotions and climate; it may therefore appear rhythmically. Stomach pain is categorized into cardialgia, gastropathic stomach ache and epigastric pain in Chinese medicine. This condition is often seen in cases of acute or chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastroneurosis.
Main Symptoms: Epigastric pain or a dull pain in the gastric cavity, a fatigued spirit and a lack of
strength; accompanied by hydroptysis.
Acupoints:
• Primary points: Pi Shu (BL-20), Wei Shu (BL-21), Zhong Wan (RN-12), Zu San Li (ST-36). • Symptomatic points: Cold pathogens invading the stomach: Wei Shu (BL-21); Qi stagnation and
blood stasis: Ge Shu (BL-17); Dyspeptic retention: Liang Men (ST-21), Xia Wan (RN-10); Liver qi invading the stomach: Tai Chong (LR-3).
Moxibustion Method:
• Gentle Pole Moxa: Apply moxa to each point for 15–20 minutes. Perform treatment once per day. Ten treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.17.1)
• Moxa on Ginger: Apply moxa to each point using 5–7 cones. Perform treatment once per day. Ten treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.17.2)
• Moxa on Salt: Apply moxa to Shen Que (RN-8) for 5–7 cones. Perform treatment once per day. Seven treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.17.3)
• Moxa on Fu Zi Cake: Apply moxa to 3–5 points, 5–7 cones per point. Perform treatment once per day. Seven treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.17.4)
Figure 6.17.2. Moxa on Ginger at Pi Shu (BL-20)
Figure 6.17.3. Moxa on Salt at Shen Que (RN-8)
Figure 6.17.4. Moxa on Fu Zi Cake at Wei Shu (BL-21)
• Non-scarring Moxa: Apply moxa to each point for 5–7 cones until the area reddens. Perform treatment once per day or every other day. Ten treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.17.5)
• Wu Zhu Yu Compound Application: Apply Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) to Shen Que (RN-8) for 3–6 hours. Perform treatment once or twice per day. (Figure 6.17.6)
Figure 6.17.5. Non-scarring Moxa at Zhong Wan (RN-12)
Figure 6.17.6. Wu Zhu Yu Compound Application at Shen Que (RN-8)
18. Gastroptosis
Gastroptosis is a common chronic disease, the diagnostic criterion of which involves the lower border of the stomach reaching the pelvic cavity, and the arc of the lesser curvature of the stomach being below the line connecting the iliac crests. Gastroptosis is usually caused by one of the following: weakness of the spleen and stomach, binge overeating or chronic hunger, eating and drinking without temperance, leading to impairment of the spleen and stomach; or correlated with emotion. It is more commonly seen in slim and thin patients. Gastroptosis is categorized into stomach atony, gastric upset and belching in Chinese medicine.
Main Symptoms: The upper abdomen is concave while the lower abdomen bulges. The stomach has a
feeling of fullness and prolapse; belching and nausea, vomiting, rugitus, a dull pain in the abdomen and accompanying constipation, diarrhoea, dizziness, debilitation, palpitations, insomnia and excessive dreams.
Acupoints:
• Primary points: Zhong Wan (RN-12), Liang Men (ST-21), Qi Hai (RN-6), Guan Yuan (RN-4), Zu San Li (ST-36).
• Symptomatic points: Hepaptosia: Qi Men (LR-14), Gan Shu (BL-18); Nephroptosis: Shen Shu (BL-23), Jing Men (GB-25); Gastric and duodenal ulcer: Gong Sun (SP-4), Nei Guan (PC-6).
Moxibustion Method:
• Gentle Pole Moxa: Apply moxa to each point for 20–30 minutes. Perform treatment once per day. Ten treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.18.1)
• Moxa on Ginger: Apply moxa to each point using 5–7 cones. Perform treatment once per day. Ten treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.18.2)
• Moxa on Salt: Apply moxa to Shen Que (RN-8) in 5–7 cones. Perform treatment once per day. Seven treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.18.3)
• Moxa on Fu Zi Cake: Apply moxa to 3–5 points, 5–7 cones per point. Perform treatment once per day. Seven treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.18.4)
Figure 6.18.1. Gentle Pole Moxa at Liang Men (ST-21)
Figure 6.18.2. Moxa on Ginger at Zhong Wan (RN-12)
Figure 6.18.3. Moxa on Salt at Shen Que (RN-8)
Figure 6.18.4. Moxa on Fu Zi Cake at Qi Hai (RN-6)
• Non-scarring Moxa: Apply moxa to 2–3 points, 3–5 cones per point. Perform treatment once every 7–14 days. (Figure 6.18.5)
• Mao Gen Gen Application: Mash Mao Gen Gen (Ranunculi Japonici Radix) into a paste and form the paste into a coin-like cake. Apply moxa to each point for 20 minutes. Perform treatment
once per day. Seven treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.18.6)
Figure 6.18.5. Non-scarring Moxa at Guan Yuan (RN-4)
Figure 6.18.6. Mao Gen Gen Application at Zu San Li (ST-36)
• Warm Needle Moxa: Apply moxa to 3–5 points, 3 cones or 6–15 minutes per point. Perform treatment once per day or every other day. Ten treatments comprise one course of treatment, with an interval of seven days between treatment courses. (Figure 6.18.7)
Figure 6.18.7. Warm Needle Moxa at Zu San Li (ST-36)
19. Vomiting
Vomiting refers to a type of symptom that involves nausea, vomiting, spitting and dry retching. Vomiting substances accompanied by retching sounds is known as ‘vomiting’, vomiting substances noiselessly is called ‘spitting’, vomiting without substances but accompanied by loud sounds is called ‘dry retching’. Vomiting is usually caused by impaired harmonious down bearing of the stomach causing ascending counter flow of stomach qi or eating and drinking without temperance which impairs the spleen and stomach. This disease can be seen in every age group and gender, and is
often seen in the case of acute gastritis, gastroectasia, pylorospasm, gastroneurosis, cholecystitis and pancreatitis.
Main Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, specific discomfort in the upper abdomen, often accompanied by
symptoms of dizziness, dribbling, a slow pulse and low blood pressure. Chronic and violent vomiting can cause water-electrolyte disturbances.
Acupoints:
• Primary points: Nei Guan (PC-6), Zu San Li (ST-36), Zhong Wan (RN-12).
• Symptomatic points: Cold vomiting: Wei Shu (BL-21), Shang Wan (RN-13); Hot vomiting: He Gu (LI-4); Dyspeptic retention: Liang Men (ST-21), Tian Shu (ST-25); Rugitus: Pi Shu (BL-20), Da Chang Shu (BL-25); Pantothen: Gong Sun (SP-4).
Moxibustion Method:
• Gentle Pole Moxa or Circling Moxa: Apply moxa to each point for 15–20 minutes. Perform treatment once per day. Seven treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.19.1)
• Moxa on Ginger: Apply moxa to each point using 5–7 cones. Perform treatment once per day, 7 treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.19.2)
• Moxa on Salt: Apply moxa to Shen Que (RN-8) using 5–7 cones. Perform treatment once per day. There should be obvious warmth in the abdomen, which spreads to the abdominal cavity. This treatment applies to the pattern of spleen-stomach vacuity cold. (Figure 6.19.3)
• Non-scarring Moxa: Apply moxa to each point using 5–7 cones until the skin turns red. Perform treatment once per day or every other day. Ten treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.19.4)
• Warm Needle Moxa: Apply moxa to 3–5 points, 3 cones or 6–15 minutes per point. Perform treatment once per day or every other day. Seven treatments comprise one course of treatment. (Figure 6.19.5)
Figure 6.19.2. Moxa on Ginger at Zhong Wan (RN-12)
Figure 6.19.3. Moxa on Salt at Shen Que (RN-8)
Figure 6.19.4. Non-scarring Moxa at Zhong Wan (RN-12)
Figure 6.19.5. Warm Needle Moxa at Zu San Li (ST-36)