Can Emotional Fluctuations Cause Stomach Pain? Absolutely!

Written by: Melody, TCM Practitioner.

When "Qi" Rushes to Your Head, Your Stomach Suffers

Have you ever experienced this?

• You get angry, and your stomach cramps?

• You get nervous, and your stomach rumbles?

• You have an argument, and your stomach hurts intensely?

• You have an exam, and your stomach churns?

In fact, there's a close, intricate connection between emotional fluctuations and stomach pain.

What Does Western Medicine Say?

Western medical research also confirms the link between emotions and stomach problems. When we are in a state of negative emotions like tension or anxiety, the brain sends signals that increase stomach acid secretion, speed up or slow down gastrointestinal motility, thereby causing symptoms like stomach pain and heartburn.

Why Does Your Stomach Suffer When You Get Emotional?

🧠 Brain Commands the Stomach

Our emotions are controlled by the brain, and there are "electrical wires" connecting the brain and the stomach. When we're angry or nervous, the brain sends commands to the stomach, telling it to "strike" or "work overtime," which makes the stomach prone to problems.

🧠 Hormones Cause Trouble

Emotional fluctuations cause changes in hormone levels in the body. These hormones affect stomach acid secretion and intestinal motility, leading to discomforts like stomach pain and bloating.

🧠 Decreased Immunity

Being in a prolonged state of negative emotions can lower the body's immunity, making it more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, which can trigger conditions like gastritis.

How Does Your Stomach React to Anger and Tension?

🔸Stomach Pain, Bloating: 

This is the most common reaction, especially when angry or nervous.

🔸Loss of Appetite: 

When feeling down, appetite often decreases, sometimes even leading to a complete aversion to food.

🔸Indigestion: 

Both excessive or insufficient stomach acid secretion can affect food digestion, leading to indigestion.

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What Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Say?

TCM believes that when a person is in a bad mood, it directly affects the function of the Zang-Fu organs, especially the stomach. When we are angry, anxious, or depressed, the "Qi" in our body becomes obstructed, just like a blocked water pipe where the flow is impeded. This obstructed "Qi" can lead to stomach discomfort, manifesting as stomach pain, bloating, and other symptoms.

The Liver and Spleen/Stomach have the most intimate relationship. The Liver governs smooth flow (疏泄), and the Spleen governs transformation and transportation (运化). If Liver Qi becomes stagnant (肝气郁结), it will affect the normal functions of the Spleen and Stomach, leading to symptoms like indigestion and stomach pain.

🔹 Liver Qi Stagnation (肝气郁结)

When we are angry or depressed, Liver Qi becomes stagnant and cannot flow smoothly. This then affects the Spleen and Stomach's transportation and transformation functions, leading to symptoms like stomach pain and bloating.

🔹 Spleen and Stomach Weakness (脾胃虚弱)

Long-term emotional fluctuations can damage the Spleen and Stomach, leading to their weakness, which in turn causes stomach pain and indigestion.

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How to Relieve Emotion-Induced Stomach Pain in Daily Life?

🌟 Adjust Your Emotions

Learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga to help alleviate tension.

🌟 Maintain a Regular Routine

Ensure adequate sleep, which helps regulate emotions and strengthen the body's resistance.

🌟 Eat a Healthy Diet

Eat easily digestible foods and reduce spicy or irritating foods to help protect the stomach lining.

🌟 Engage in Moderate Exercise

Exercise helps relieve stress and improves sleep.

Remember:

📣 Everyone's situation is different, so the suitable methods vary.

📣 Consistency is key; don't give up after just a few tries.

📣 If stomach pain symptoms are severe or recur frequently, seek medical attention promptly to rule out the possibility of organic diseases.

If these methods don't yield results, then you might consider TCM professional help.

TCM treatment for emotion-induced stomach pain primarily focuses on the following aspects:

✅ Soothing the Liver and Resolving Stagnation (疏肝解郁)

The Liver governs smooth flow; emotional distress can easily lead to Liver Qi stagnation, which then affects the Spleen and Stomach. TCM uses herbs with liver-soothing and stagnation-resolving effects, such as Bupleurum (柴胡) and Peony Root (芍药), to unblock Liver Qi and alleviate emotional distress.

✅ Strengthening the Spleen and Harmonizing the Stomach (健脾和胃)

The Spleen and Stomach are the "Root of Post-Heaven Essence" and our "digestive factory." Liver Qi stagnation can affect the Spleen and Stomach's transportation and transformation functions, leading to stomach pain. TCM uses herbs that strengthen the Spleen and harmonize the Stomach, such as Atractylodes (白术) and Poria (茯苓), to enhance Spleen and Stomach function and relieve stomach pain.

✅ Nourishing the Heart and Calming the Spirit (养心安神)

When your mood is low, your heart might race. The Heart governs the spirit (神志), and a disturbed Heart spirit can also affect Spleen and Stomach function. TCM uses herbs that nourish the Heart and calm the spirit, such as Ziziphus Spinosa Seed (酸枣仁) and Longan Aril (龙眼肉), to calm the mind and alleviate stomach pain.

✨ Acupuncture (针灸)

By needling specific acupoints, such as Taichong (太冲) and Zusanli (足三里), acupuncture can regulate Qi and Blood, unblock meridians, and relieve stomach pain.

✨ Moxibustion (艾灸)

Moxibustion has the effects of warming meridians, dispelling cold, and promoting Qi circulation to relieve pain. It can alleviate stomach pain caused by coldness.

✨ Chinese Herbal Medicine (中药)

Herbal medicine can not only alleviate symptoms like stomach pain (treating the symptoms) but also regulate the Spleen and Stomach, soothe the Liver, and resolve stagnation, addressing the root cause of the problem (treating the root).

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Why Choose TCM for Emotion-Induced Stomach Pain?

🔸 Holistic Approach: 

TCM emphasizes a holistic perspective, believing the human body is a unified whole where the Zang-Fu organs interact with each other. Therefore, when treating stomach pain, TCM not only focuses on the stomach itself but also considers other organs and emotional factors, achieving both symptomatic relief and root-cause treatment.

🔸 Personalized Treatment: 

TCM treatment emphasizes differentiation of syndromes, tailoring personalized treatment plans based on each individual's specific condition.

🔸 Fewer Side Effects: 

Compared to Western medicine, Chinese herbal medicine generally has fewer side effects, making it more suitable for long-term use.

🔸 Significant Results: 

TCM treatment for emotion-induced stomach pain can not only alleviate stomach pain symptoms but also improve emotional well-being and enhance quality of life.

In conclusion, emotions and the stomach are "good friends" that influence each other. If you frequently experience stomach discomfort, you might start by adjusting your emotions. Therefore, we should prioritize emotional management and maintain an optimistic mindset to enjoy a healthy body.

We hope this article helps you better understand the relationship between emotions and stomach pain.

If you'd like to learn more about TCM wellness, or if you'd like more personalized advice for your specific situation, I recommend booking a consultation.