Stomach pain that arises when impaired spleen-stomach movement and transformation causes water-damp to gather and gradually turn into phlegm-rheum, which collects in the center burner. Phlegm-rheum stomach duct pain is attended by reduced food intake, nausea, vexation and oppression, ejection of foamy phlegm, and a slippery stringlike pulse. There may also be dizziness, heart palpitation and shortness of breath, and gurgling in the abdomen.
Medicinal therapy: Transform rheum and harmonize the stomach. Use formulas such as Dampness-Eliminating Stomach-Calming Poria Five Decoction (除湿胃苓汤chú shī wèi líng tāng) and Two Matured Ingredients Decoction (二陈汤èr chén tāng). For phlegm-fire, use Center-Clearing Decoction (清中汤qīng zhōng tāng). For rheum pouring into the limbs and channels and causing lumbar, back, and rib-side pain, or pulling pain in the limbs, manifesting in repletion signs only, offensive expulsion should performed with formulas like Minor Stomach Elixir (小胃丹xiǎo wèi dān), Drool-Controlling Elixir (控涎丹kòng xián dān), or Three Flowers Spirit Protection Pill (三花神佑丸sān huā shén yòu wán).
Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on alarm and uniting points of ST, PC, and SP. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge, 丰隆 fēng lóng), PC-6 (Inner Pass, 内关 nèi guān), SP-4 (Yellow Emperor, 公孙 gōng sūn), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot, 天枢 tiān shū), and CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi); needle with drainage.