Bloating/Abdominal Distension - Cold-Dampness Trapping the Spleen Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Bloating/Abdominal Distension · Cold-Dampness Trapping the Spleen Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Cold-Dampness Trapping the Spleen is a pattern in bloating/abdominal distension, characterized by decreased GI motility, abdominal distension, cold pain, heavy sensation, and loose stools. The core pathogenesis is Cold-Dampness invading the Spleen, causing impaired transformation and transport, fluid retention, and gas accumulation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Abdominal distension, cold pain, heavy sensation, loose stools |

| Associated Symptoms | Relief with warmth, poor appetite, cold limbs, fatigue |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale tongue with white greasy coating, deep and moderate pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Cold-Dampness invading the Spleen, impairing transformation |

| Etiology | Cold and damp environment, cold food intake, irregular eating habits |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Zhongwan (RN12) | 4 cun above the umbilicus | Front-Mu point of Stomach; harmonizes the Stomach |

| Yinlingquan (SP9) | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and promotes diuresis |

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi |

| Pishu (BL20) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 | Back-Shu point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen Qi |

| Guanyuan (RN4) | 3 cun below the umbilicus | Warms Yang and supplements Qi |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, even method; moxibustion is strongly recommended to warm the Spleen and disperse Cold-Dampness.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Wei Ling Tang (胃苓汤)

Composition:

Atractylodes (Cang Zhu), Magnolia (Hou Pu), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), Poria (Fu Ling), Polyporus (Zhu Ling), Alisma (Ze Xie), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi)

Action: Disperses Cold, transforms Dampness, and harmonizes the Stomach.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe cold pain | Add Gan Jiang, Fu Zi to warm the interior and disperse Cold |

| Heavy sensation | Add Huo Xiang, Pei Lan to transform Dampness |

| Loose stools | Add Shan Yao, Yi Yi Ren to strengthen Spleen and stop diarrhea |

| Distension | Add Mu Xiang, Sha Ren to regulate Qi and relieve distension |

Western Mechanism Reference

Decreased GI motility causing delayed gastric emptying, intestinal content retention, and increased gas production. Cold-Dampness Trapping the Spleen corresponds to bloating with hypomotility, where reduced gastrointestinal motility and fluid retention contribute to abdominal distension and heavy sensation.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Fullness with Cold-Dampness Trapping the Spleen.

  2. WHO. (2023). Digestive health. World Health Organization.

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