How to relieve pain caused by gallstones

Nov 08, 2021 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Mou Dongpo

Introduction

1. Pharmacological treatment: Atropine, anisodamine, and phloroglucinol are commonly used medications. 2. Abdominal massage: After the patient lies supine, place the right hand firmly over the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and massage in a clockwise direction. 3. Acupressure at the Hegu (LI4) point: Applying pressure to the Hegu acupoint is also an effective method for pain relief. 4. Surgical intervention: If the gallbladder is compressed, surgical removal (cholecystectomy) is mandatory.

Gallstones are a common gastrointestinal disorder. Many patients experience symptom onset during the night, with severe, excruciating pain—known as biliary colic—typically localized to the upper left or upper right abdomen. In severe cases, patients may break out in profuse sweating, become extremely restless, and even develop jaundice and high fever. So, how can one relieve pain caused by gallstones? Below, we address this question.

How to Relieve Pain Caused by Gallstones

1. Pharmacological Treatment

Pain caused by gallbladder stones may result from simple inflammation or stone impaction. The primary cause of pain is strongly associated with intense smooth muscle contraction; therefore, antispasmodic analgesics play a crucial role in rapidly alleviating stone-related pain. Commonly used medications include atropine, anisodamine, and phloroglucinol. Intramuscular or intravenous administration represents the most effective route for pain relief.

2. Abdominal Massage

Abdominal massage can help relieve pain caused by gallstones. The patient lies supine, placing the right hand firmly over the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Using coordinated movement of the forearm and wrist, perform rhythmic, clockwise circular massage at a rate of 80–100 strokes per minute for 15 minutes. This technique often significantly reduces abdominal pain.

1 (107)_副本1.jpg

3. Acupressure on the Hegu (LI4) Point

The human body contains numerous acupoints, and applying pressure to the Hegu point (Large Intestine 4, LI4) is an effective method for pain relief. The patient lies on their left side with the right arm extended upward toward the head. The practitioner stands beside the patient’s head, supporting the patient’s elbow with their left hand while gently pulling the patient’s right arm upward. After holding this position briefly, firm, sustained pressure is applied in the opposite direction onto the Hegu point, helping alleviate gallstone-related pain.

4. Surgical Intervention

If none of the above measures effectively relieve the patient’s pain, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are essential. Excruciating pain may indicate that the stone has grown large enough to compress the gallbladder, necessitating surgical removal.

The above outlines various approaches to relieving pain caused by gallstones. We hope this information proves helpful to you.

View All

What are the causes of gallstones?

The causes of gallstones mainly include imbalance of bile components, biliary obstruction, abnormal gallbladder function, metabolic influences, as well as genetic and environmental factors. If symptoms such as right upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting occur, timely medical evaluation is necessary. An imbalance in the proportions of cholesterol, bile acids, and lecithin in bile—particularly excess cholesterol or insufficient bile acids—can easily lead to the crystallization of cholesterol.