Blood stasis

Blood Stasis is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to describe a pathological condition where the normal flow of blood through the body is impeded or slowed. This condition is believed to be caused by a variety of factors including injury, emotional trauma, or chronic illness.

Causes and Symptoms

According to TCM, blood stasis can be caused by a variety of factors. These include physical trauma, emotional trauma, chronic illness, or a lack of physical activity. Symptoms of blood stasis can vary widely, but often include pain, numbness, swelling, and discoloration of the skin.

Diagnosis

In TCM, diagnosis of blood stasis is typically made through a combination of patient history, physical examination, and observation of the tongue and pulse. The presence of certain signs, such as a dark, purplish tongue or a choppy pulse, can indicate blood stasis.

Treatment

Treatment for blood stasis in TCM typically involves a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle changes. Herbal formulas used to treat blood stasis often include herbs that are believed to invigorate the blood, such as dang gui and chuan xiong. Acupuncture points often used in the treatment of blood stasis include SP10 and BL17.

See Also

• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Acupuncture
• Herbal Medicine

References

• Maciocia, Giovanni (2005). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. Second Edition. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0443074899.
• Wiseman, Nigel; Ellis, Andrew (1996). Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine. Paradigm Publications. ISBN 978-0912111445.