Symptom family: General Body Pain and Discomfort
The feeling of bearing down refers to a sensation of downward pressure in the pelvic or abdominal region. This discomfort can be described as a force pushing downwards, often associated with a need to bear down as if to relieve oneself. It is a common symptom in conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, and it can be exacerbated by physical exertion or standing for long periods. Understanding the underlying causes of this sensation is crucial for effective management and treatment.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the feeling of bearing down is seen as a manifestation of underlying imbalances or disharmony within the body's energy systems. TCM emphasizes the importance of identifying the correct pattern causing the symptom, as it dictates the treatment strategy. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on symptomatic relief, TCM aims to restore balance and address the root cause of the issue.
The feeling of bearing down can result from various TCM patterns. One common cause is Qi and Blood Deficiency, characterized by symptoms such as general weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. This Deficiency leads to insufficient energy and nourishment for the body's organs and tissues, causing the sensation of downward pressure.
Another potential cause is Spleen Qi Sinking, where the spleen's ability to lift and hold internal organs weakens, leading to symptoms like lack of appetite and slight abdominal distension. Understanding these patterns helps tailor treatment to the individual's specific needs.
Explore below more details about what might cause Feeling of bearing down according to TCM.
Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more
Common Symptoms: Pale Face Palpitations Dizziness Poor Memory Insomnia Limb Numbness Dry Hair Skin Dryness
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Qi and Blood Deficiency | Feeling of bearing down, General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Reluctance to speak, Lack of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness... see more | Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang | Sheng Yu Tang |
Blood Deficiency | Feeling of bearing down, Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory, Insomnia... see more | Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang | Si Wu Tang |
Qi Deficiency in TCM is like running low on battery power. Qi is the vital energy that powers every function in your body. When there's a Qi Deficiency, it means your body doesn't have enough of this essential energy. This can make you feel tired all the time, weak, or even cause shortness of breath. It's similar to how you feel when you haven't had enough sleep or nutritious food. Your body just doesn't have the energy it needs to perform at its best. Unlike modern medicine, which often focuses on specific physical causes for fatigue and weakness, TCM views Qi Deficiency as an overall energy depletion that affects your entire well-being, and it seeks to replenish and balance this vital energy.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Qi and Blood Deficiency | Feeling of bearing down, General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Reluctance to speak, Lack of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness... see more | Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang | Sheng Yu Tang |
Qi Sinking is a pattern of disharmony in TCM where the body's energy, or Qi, is thought to "sink" or drop down. Imagine a balloon slowly deflating and falling; that's similar to what happens with Qi Sinking. This can lead to feelings of heaviness, fatigue, and even physical symptoms like prolapse of organs or frequent urination. It's as if the body's energy, which usually supports and holds things in place, isn't able to do its job properly. TCM views this as an imbalance where the uplifting and supporting qualities of Qi are weakened.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Spleen Qi Sinking | Feeling of bearing down, Lack of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang |
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
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Damp-Heat | Feeling of bearing down, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Feeling of heat, Feeling of heaviness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Acne... see more | Er Miao San | Xiao Yao San | Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang |
"Dampness" in TCM is a concept that describes a pattern of disharmony where the body accumulates excess moisture. Imagine the heavy, sticky feeling you get on a very humid day; that's similar to what dampness feels like internally. It can manifest as a sense of heaviness, bloating, sluggishness, or even a foggy mind. This condition is often thought to arise from environmental factors like living in a damp place, dietary habits that promote moisture in the body, or internal imbalances that hinder the body's ability to process fluids properly. In TCM, dampness can obstruct the normal flow of energy and fluids in the body, leading to various symptoms.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Damp-Heat | Feeling of bearing down, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Feeling of heat, Feeling of heaviness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Acne... see more | Er Miao San | Xiao Yao San | Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang |
In TCM the Spleen plays a vital role in digestion and transformation, converting food into energy and nutrients, and overseeing the distribution of Qi and Blood. It's also crucial in maintaining the health of muscles and limbs and ensuring the blood remains within the vessels. When the Spleen malfunctions in TCM, it can lead to a variety of issues such as digestive disorders, fatigue, weak muscles, bloating, and a feeling of heaviness. It can also cause a pale complexion, poor appetite, and a tendency to bruise easily. Emotionally, a Spleen imbalance is often associated with excessive worry or overthinking, reflecting its role in the interplay between physical and mental health.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Spleen Qi Sinking | Feeling of bearing down, Lack of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang |
For addressing Qi and Blood Deficiency, Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is often recommended. This formula includes Motherwort Herbs (Yi Mu Cao), which invigorates the blood and helps alleviate the feeling of bearing down. For Blood Deficiency, Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is commonly used, featuring Ginseng (Ren Shen) to tonify the blood and provide energy.
In cases of Spleen Qi Sinking, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), is effective in lifting the sinking Qi and strengthening the spleen. For Damp-Heat patterns, Er Miao San, containing Phellodendron bark (Huang Bo), is used to clear heat and expel dampness.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address feeling of bearing down, organized by cause and by formula type.
Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause feeling of bearing down, such as Qi and Blood Deficiency
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang | Qi and Blood Deficiency |
Sheng Yu Tang | Qi and Blood Deficiency |
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang | Blood Deficiency |
Si Wu Tang | Blood Deficiency |
Suitable for Qi Deficiency patterns that may cause feeling of bearing down, such as Qi and Blood Deficiency
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang | Qi and Blood Deficiency |
Sheng Yu Tang | Qi and Blood Deficiency |
Suitable for Qi Sinking patterns that may cause feeling of bearing down, such as Spleen Qi Sinking
Learn moreSuitable for Heat patterns that may cause feeling of bearing down, such as Damp-Heat
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Er Miao San | Damp-Heat |
Xiao Yao San | Damp-Heat |
Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang | Damp-Heat |
Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause feeling of bearing down, such as Damp-Heat
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Er Miao San | Damp-Heat |
Xiao Yao San | Damp-Heat |
Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang | Damp-Heat |
These formulas are suitable for some feeling of bearing down-causing patterns like Qi and Blood Deficiency.
One such formula is Sheng Yu Tang, with dong quai as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Sheng Yu Tang | Qi and Blood Deficiency |
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang | Blood Deficiency |
Si Wu Tang | Blood Deficiency |
These formulas are suitable for some feeling of bearing down-causing patterns like Damp-Heat.
One such formula is Er Miao San, with phellodendron bark as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some feeling of bearing down-causing patterns like Damp-Heat.
One such formula is Xiao Yao San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some feeling of bearing down-causing patterns like Damp-Heat.
One such formula is Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, with mudan peony bark as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some feeling of bearing down-causing patterns like Qi and Blood Deficiency.
One such formula is Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, with motherwort herb as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some feeling of bearing down-causing patterns like Spleen Qi Sinking.
One such formula is Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Several acupoints are beneficial for relieving the feeling of bearing down. In the Governing Vessel, Baihui (DU-20) is located at the vertex of the head and helps to lift Yang and benefit the brain. Pishu (BL-20), located in the Bladder Channel, is known for tonifying the spleen Qi and resolving Dampness.
Qihai (REN-6) on the Directing Vessel is essential for tonifying original Qi, lifting Sinking Qi, and harmonizing Blood. These acupoints, when stimulated, can help restore balance and alleviate the discomfort associated with the feeling of bearing down.
Explore below some acupoints used to address feeling of bearing down, organized by meridian.
At the vertex, at the junction of a line connecting the apex of the ears and the midline, in the depression 7 cun above the posterior hairline and 5 cun behind the anterior hairline.
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra (T11).
On the midline of the abdomen, 1.5 cun below the umbilicus.