Bloating (functional)
Also known as: bloating, abdominal bloating, functional bloating, distension, wind, gas
Bloating is the feeling of a full, tight or swollen abdomen, often with visible distension by the end of the day. Most bloating is functional — related to digestion, diet, swallowing air or the gut-brain axis — but persistent or changing bloating needs medical review to exclude coeliac disease, ovarian conditions and other causes. Chinese medicine frames bloating as Spleen Qi deficiency, Liver Qi invading the Spleen, or Damp and food stagnation.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Eat slowly, chew well and avoid talking with a full mouth — swallowed air adds up.
- •Keep a simple food-and-symptom diary for two weeks before cutting out whole food groups.
- •Go easy on fizzy drinks, chewing gum, sugar-free sweeteners and very large serves of onion, garlic and legumes.
- •A 10–15 minute walk after meals helps the gut move gas along.
- •See your GP before starting a strict elimination diet — coeliac testing needs gluten in the diet first.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Persistent, progressive or new-onset bloating must be medically assessed before assuming it is functional.[,]
- •Do not self-prescribe long-term restrictive diets without dietetic guidance.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Review after 4–6 treatments. No improvement, worsening distension, or any red-flag feature goes back to the GP for investigation.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- healthdirect Australia · 2024
- Ovarian Cancer Australia · 2024
- AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.