Syndrome differentiation and treatment
1. Qi stagnation due to condensed cold
Main symptoms and signs: Sudden onset of severe epigastralgia, aversion to cold with preference to warmth, pain relieved by warming and worsened by cold, no thirst, pale tongue with whitish fur, wiry and tight pulse or wiry arid slow pulse. 
Therapeutic methods: Warming the stomach to dispel cold and promoting qi flow to check pain.

2. Food retention
Main symptoms and signs: Distending epigastralgia worsened by pressing, eructation with fetid odour, acid regurgitation, vomiting with undigested food; pain  relieved by vomiting, anorexia, constipation, red tongue  with thick and greasy fur and slippery pulse. 
Therapeutic methods: Promoting digestion, regulating the stomach and checking pain.

3. Qi stagnation due to hepatic depression
Main symptoms and signs: Epigastric distending Pain with the two sides of hypochondrium involved, frequent eructation, pain relieved after eructation breaking wind, onset of pain in the case of emotional changes, red tongue with whitish and thin fur and wiry pulse.   
Therapeutic methods: Soothing the liver and regulating qi, pacifying the stomach and checking pain.

4. Dampness and heat obstructing the middle energizer
Main symptoms and signs: Acute pain and epigastric burning sensation worsened by pressing, epigastric discomfort with acid regurgitation, bitter taste, dry mouth without desire for drink, constipation, red tongue with yellowish and greasy fur, slippery and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Clearing away heat, eliminating dampness, regulating qi and normalizing the gastric function.

5. Blood stasis obstructing collaterals
Main symptoms and signs: Stabbing pain with definite site worsened by pressing and ingestion, or hematemesis, melena, dark purplish tongue, wiry and unsmooth pulse.  
Therapeutic methods: Removing blood stasis, activating collaterals, regulating qi and normalizing the gastric function.