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Upper Abdominal Distension

How Chinese medicine differentiates distension in the upper abdomen into the six patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Abdominal Fullness, Epigastric Pain and Bloating After Eating pages. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Distension with vomiting blood, black stools, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing or severe pain needs medical assessment.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for upper abdominal distension — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
ST-36Benefits Stomach and Spleen. Tonifies Qi and Blood. Tonifies the Original Qi.
REN-12Tonifies Stomach and Spleen. Resolves Dampness and Phlegm. Regulates Stomach-Qi.
P-6Opens the chest and moves Qi and Blood. Calms the Mind. Moves Liver-Qi.
The Six Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method.

1. Food Stagnation in the Stomach View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Sour, rotten-smelling belching; aversion to food; distension worse after eating and on pressure; relief after vomiting.
Tongue: Normal body, thick greasy curd-like coat. Pulse: Slippery and full.
Treatment principle: Digests stagnant food, harmonizes the Stomach and descends Qi.
ST-36 ⊥ REN-12 ⊥ P-6 ↓ ST-25 ↓
Note: no moxa.

2. Liver Qi Stagnation Invading the Stomach View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Distension radiating to the ribs; worse with emotional stress; frequent sighing and belching; irritability.
Tongue: Normal or slightly red, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry.
Treatment principle: Soothes Liver Qi, resolves constraint and moves Qi.
LIV-3 ↓ LIV-14 ↓ REN-12 ⊥ P-6 ↓
Note: no moxa.

3. Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Mild, chronic bloating worse after eating and improved by gentle pressure and warmth; poor appetite; loose stools; fatigue.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Weak, soft, empty.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi, strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Stomach.
ST-36 ↑ REN-12 ↑ BL-20 ↑
Note: moxa is appropriate.

4. Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Spleen View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Heavy, burning bloating; bitter, sticky taste; sticky stools; heavy limbs; thirst without desire to drink.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen, thick yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Soggy and rapid.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat, drains Dampness and harmonizes the Middle Burner.
SP-9 ↓ L.I.-11 ↓ ST-40 ↓ REN-12 ⊥
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Damp-Heat-in-the-Stomach slide.

5. Spleen Deficiency with Dampness

Clinical manifestations: Heavy, persistent bloating worse after eating; loose, sticky stools; body heaviness; poor appetite with greasy taste; post-meal fatigue.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, tooth-marked, white greasy coat. Pulse: Soggy and slow.
Treatment principle: Strengthens the Spleen, transforms Dampness and moves Qi.
ST-36 ↑ SP-9 ↓ REN-12 ↑
Note: Mixed Deficiency/Excess. No deck slide combines Spleen deficiency with Dampness — no pattern link is given here.

6. Cold-Damp Invading the Spleen View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Distension with a cold, heavy feeling that improves with warmth; loose or watery stools; heavy limbs; bland taste.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, tooth-marked, thick white greasy coat. Pulse: Soggy or slippery, slow.
Treatment principle: Warms the Middle Burner, disperses Cold, dries Dampness and relieves distension.
REN-12 ⊥ ST-36 ↑ SP-9 ↓
Note: moxa is appropriate.
Related conditions
Abdominal Fullness Epigastric Pain Bloating After Eating

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Acupuncture-only reference — structure adapted (not text) from how other condition-lookup sites organize this kind of content. Let us know what to add or change.