In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bloating is not just a digestive inconvenience — it is a clear sign that your body is out of balance.

At Yin Bloom we approach bloating by identifying and treating the root cause, not just the symptom.

What Causes Bloating After Eating? (TCM Perspective)

According to TCM, the digestive system is governed mainly by the Spleen and Stomach, which are responsible for transforming food into Qi (energy) and Blood.

A key concept in TCM is:

“The Spleen likes dryness and dislikes dampness.”

When digestion is weak or disrupted, food is not properly transformed, leading to:

• Accumulation
• Gas
• Distension (bloating)

Common TCM Patterns Behind Bloating

Spleen Qi Deficiency (Most Common Cause)

This is the most frequent pattern seen in clinical practice.

Symptoms:

• Bloating after eating
• Fatigue
• Loose stools
• Feeling heavy or sluggish

Often linked to irregular eating, overthinking, or long-term stress.

Dampness Accumulation

When fluids are not properly transformed, Dampness builds up.

Symptoms:

• Persistent bloating
• Feeling of fullness
• Brain fog
• Sticky stools

Common with diets high in sugar, dairy, or processed foods.

Liver Qi Stagnation Affecting Digestion

Emotions play a major role in digestion in TCM.

Symptoms:

• Bloating that worsens with stress
• Rib-side tension
• Sighing or irritability
• Alternating constipation and diarrhea

“Stress bloating” is very real in Chinese Medicine.

Food Stagnation

When digestion is overloaded or inefficient.

Symptoms:

• Severe bloating after meals
• Bad breath
• Acid reflux
• Relief after passing gas or bowel movement

Often due to overeating or eating too quickly.

TCM treatment for Bloating

At Yin Bloom – Women’s Chinese Medicine in Malmö, treatment is always personalized and may include:

Acupuncture

• Regulates digestion
• Reduces bloating and discomfort
• Balances the nervous system

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Formulas chosen for your particular pattern and imbalance:

• Strengthen digestion
• Resolve Dampness
• Move stagnation

Dietary Therapy

Small changes can make a big difference:

• Eat warm, cooked foods
• Avoid cold/raw meals (especially in the morning)
• Eat regularly and mindfully

Lifestyle Adjustments

• Slow down while eating
• Manage stress
• Support gut-brain connection

Real Case: From Daily Bloating to Feeling Energized

At Yin Bloom, every treatment is tailored to the individual. Here is one patient experience:

“Hej Inês! Just want to say thank you so much for the consultation you gave me! It was amazing! You took time to listen carefully to all my inputs, you asked questions and explained the Chinese medicine base.
I was mainly complaining about being very bloated all the time and not comfortable with my stomach. You prescribed herbal medicine and small changes in my diet — completely achievable and easy to implement.
After 1 month I can tell you I feel much better! The bloating stopped, I feel healthier and with more energy than before!”

This is a great example of how simple, personalized changes can create powerful results when we address the root cause.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Bloating

Occasional bloating can happen — but frequent bloating is your body asking for support. If left untreated, it may lead to:

• Chronic digestive weakness
• Hormonal imbalances
• Fatigue and low energy

In TCM, digestion is the foundation of health. When digestion improves, everything else benefits.

Keep blooming,
Inês

Individualized care matters, consult a certified Chinese Medicine practitioner.

The post Bloating After Eating: A Chinese Medicine Approach to Digestive Health appeared first on Yin Bloom.

What is Dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstruation, often presenting as cramping in the lower abdomen, but it may also include:

• Lower back pain;
• Nausea or digestive discomfort Headaches or migraines;
• Emotional changes such as irritability or sadness.

In Western medicine, it is often divided into primary (without identifiable pathology) and secondary (linked to conditions like endometriosis).

In TCM, however, we ask a different question:

Why is there pain? What is not flowing? Where does stagnation come from? What is deficient?

Menstrual pain arises when the flow of Qi (energy) and Blood (Xue) in the uterus is disrupted. This can happen due to either:

• Excess patterns (blockage)
• Deficiency patterns (lack of nourishment)

Understanding which pattern is present is key to effective treatment.

Common TCM Patterns in Dysmenorrhea

1. Qi and Blood Stagnation

This is the most common pattern, especially in younger women.

Symptoms:

• Sharp, stabbing pain
• Fixed location
• Pain improves after menstrual flow starts
• Dark blood with clots
• Irritability or emotional tension

Root causes:

• Emotional stress
• Repressed emotions
• Lack of movement

In TCM, the Liver governs the smooth flow of Qi. When Qi stagnates, Blood stagnates.

2. Cold in the Uterus

Cold causes contraction and blockage, leading to intense pain.

Symptoms:

• Severe cramping relieved by warmth
• Aversion to cold
• Delayed menstruation
• Pale or dark menstrual blood

Root causes:

• Exposure to cold (especially during menstruation)
• Consumption of cold/raw foods
• Yang deficiency

3. Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao

Often seen when there is inflammation or infection.

Symptoms:

• Burning pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Sensation of heat
• Possible fever or irritability

Root causes:

• Diet (greasy, spicy foods)
• Internal heat
• Chronic damp accumulation

4. Qi and Blood Deficiency

Symptoms:

• Dull, mild pain
• Pain improves with pressure
• Light menstrual flow
• Fatigue and dizziness

Root causes:

• Overwork
• Poor diet
• Chronic illness

Treatment Approach in Chinese Medicine

Rather than suppressing symptoms, TCM focuses on restoring balance.

At Yin Bloom, treatment may include:

Acupuncture

• Regulates Qi and Blood
• Relieves pain
• Addresses the root imbalance

Herbal Medicine

Carefully selected formulas based on your pattern to restore the balance: move stagnation, warm the uterus, clear heat, tonify deficiencies.

Moxibustion

Especially powerful for Cold patterns because it warms the uterus, improves circulation and reduces pain.

Lifestyle & Dietary Guidance

Simple shifts can have profound effects:

• Avoid cold foods during menstruation
• Support Blood with nourishing meals
• Manage stress and emotional flow

In TCM, the menstrual cycle is a reflection of overall health. Pain is not isolated, it is part of a bigger picture involving digestion, sleep, emotions, and lifestyle.

When we treat dysmenorrhea, we are not only relieving pain – we are regulating the entire body.

In TCM, the menstrual cycle is a reflection of overall health. Pain is not isolated, it is part of a bigger picture involving digestion, sleep, emotions, and lifestyle. When we treat dysmenorrhea, we are not only relieving pain – we are regulating the entire body.

Keep blooming,
Inês

Individualized care matters, consult a certified Chinese Medicine practitioner.

The post Dysmenorrhea: Understanding Menstrual Pain Through Chinese Medicine appeared first on Yin Bloom.