Chronic Abdominal Pain · Cold Obstruction Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Cold Obstruction is a common pattern in chronic abdominal pain, characterized by visceral hypersensitivity with cold-induced smooth muscle spasm, cold pain, abdominal cramps, relief with warmth, and cold extremities. The core pathogenesis is invasion of Cold-Dampness into the Spleen and Stomach, causing cold-induced smooth muscle spasm, Qi stagnation, and visceral hypersensitivity.

Chronic Abdominal Pain · Damp-Heat Accumulation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Damp-Heat Accumulation is a pattern in chronic abdominal pain, characterized by inflammatory bowel activation, abdominal pain, burning sensation, sticky stools, foul breath, and constipation. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Intestines, causing inflammatory bowel activation, intestinal edema, and altered motility.

Chronic Abdominal Pain · Food Retention Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Food Retention is a common pattern in chronic abdominal pain, characterized by functional dyspepsia with delayed gastric emptying, abdominal distension, sour belching, poor appetite, and nausea. The core pathogenesis is food stagnation in the Stomach due to improper eating habits, leading to delayed gastric emptying, gas accumulation, and abdominal discomfort.

Chronic Abdominal Pain · Liver-Qi Stagnation Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Liver-Qi Stagnation is a common pattern in chronic abdominal pain, characterized by stress-related visceral hypersensitivity, abdominal pain, distension, frequent sighing, and aggravation with stress. The core pathogenesis is emotional stress causing Liver-Qi stagnation, leading to autonomic dysfunction, altered gut motility, and visceral hypersensitivity.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

Chronic Abdominal Pain · Middle Jiao Deficiency-Cold Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Abdomen

Pattern Overview

Middle Jiao Deficiency-Cold is a chronic pattern in abdominal pain, characterized by chronic functional pain with autonomic dysfunction, dull pain, fatigue, cold limbs, relief with warmth, and poor appetite. The core pathogenesis is Spleen-Stomach deficiency with Cold, leading to reduced GI motility, impaired tissue nourishment, and chronic pain.