Throbbing below the navel refers to the symptom of a throbbing sensation in the lower abdomen.

This symptom was first mentioned in the "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases," such as "palpitations below the navel" and "palpitations beneath the navel." This condition is easily confused with the symptom of qi surging upward from the lower abdomen. Both symptoms occur in the lower abdomen, but throbbing below the navel involves a throbbing sensation in the lower abdomen without an upward surge, whereas the symptom of qi surging upward from the lower abdomen starts from the lower abdomen and surges upward to the chest, even reaching the throat (also known as running-piglet qi). This article focuses on discussing throbbing below the navel, while the symptom of qi surging upward from the lower abdomen will be discussed separately.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Internal Retention of Water and Fluid︰Pulsation below the navel, frothy salivation, dizziness, dysuria, deep and wiry pulse, tongue texture pale red with thin white and moist coating. This is often caused by constitutional yang deficiency or excessive sweating damaging yang, leading to yang deficiency failing to control water, resulting in water retention in the lower energizer and palpitations. The key diagnostic points are: frothy salivation and dizziness in the upper body, and pulsation below the navel and dysuria in the lower body; a deep and wiry pulse is particularly indicative of water retention in the lower energizer. Treatment should focus on transforming qi and draining water, using the formula Five Ingredients with Poria Powder. If there is internal movement of water retention with a tendency toward running-piglet syndrome, Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Liquorice, and Chinese Date Decoction can be used to unblock yang, suppress counterflow, fortify the spleen, and control water.
2. Failure of Kidney to Receive Qi︰It manifests as pulsations below the umbilicus, extending to the umbilical region, accompanied by panting, occasional sighing, sweating, a thin and weak pulse, a pale and dusky tongue texture, and thin, moist tongue coating. There are two main causes: one is congenital deficiency of kidney qi, leading to failure of qi to restrain and its agitation below; the other is improper treatment of exterior patterns, such as reckless sweating or purging, resulting in severe depletion of qi and blood, causing kidney qi to fail to restrain and move in the lower energizer. The key diagnostic points are: pulsations below the umbilicus extending to the umbilical region, accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, and other symptoms. Cases of congenital kidney qi deficiency often flare up due to fatigue and occur intermittently; cases of improper treatment of exterior patterns involve a history of mismanagement, which can be identified through inquiry. For congenital kidney qi deficiency, the treatment should focus on improving qi reception and relieving dyspnea, with the prescription Seven-Ingredient Qi-Astringing Pill; for improper treatment of exterior patterns, the approach should aim to harmonize yin-yang and fortify the kidney to improve qi reception, with the prescription Cinnamon Twig plus Cinnamon Twig Decoction.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Zhangshi Yitong．Mental Disorders: "In thin individuals, excessive fire and water lead to the suppression of water pathogens in the yin aspect, preventing their ascent and dispersion, thus causing palpitations below the navel. When the suppression erupts and shifts to the yang aspect, it clashes with healthy qi, resulting in dizziness in the head and vertigo at the crown. Kidney fluids reverse upward, causing vomiting of saliva and foam. Therefore, Wuling Decoction is used to attack kidney pathogens, promote water passage, and once the water is removed, the fire will naturally calm."