Blood Stasis Symptoms & Treatment
In Chinese medicine, Blood is responsible for nourishing, warming, and moistening the entire body. To do this, it must be able to flow smoothly to every organ, tissue, and cell, from the top of the head to the tips of the toes. If the flow of Blood is hindered for any reason, a pattern known as Blood stasis can occur.
Blood stasis can be the result of qi stagnation or qi deficiency, as qi is responsible for enlivening Blood and propelling it through the vessels. It may also occur due to a physical obstruction, such as an injury, or pathogenic factors like heat and cold, which can cause Blood to “congeal” and slow down its circulation.
The most obvious symptom of Blood stasis is pain. As the saying goes: bu tong ze tong (不通则痛), or “without free flow, there is pain.” This pain is usually fixed in its location and stabbing or boring in nature. Other possible symptoms include:
Dark complexion
Purple lips, tongue, and nails
Abdominal masses
Bleeding with dark blood and clots
Bruising
Varicose or spider veins
The organs most commonly affected by Blood stasis are the Liver, Heart, Lung, Stomach, Intestines, and Uterus.
Liver Blood Stasis
The Liver is responsible for the free flow of qi, and therefore, has a significant influence over the circulation of Blood. Therefore, this is the organ most commonly involved in Blood stasis. The Liver also plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle, and so, menstrual irregularities are a key symptom of Liver Blood stasis.
In addition to the general Blood stasis symptoms listed above, Liver Blood stasis can cause:
Painful menstruation
Dark menstrual blood with dark clots
Premenstrual pain
Abdominal pain
The most important treatment principle here is to move Liver qi and Blood, with regular physical activity and a diet rich in foods that promote qi and Blood circulation.
Heart Blood Stasis
The Heart governs Blood and, like the Liver, plays a vital role in its circulation. When the Heart is involved in Blood stasis, the following symptoms may occur:
Stabbing or pricking chest pain
Mental restlessness
As above, it is essential to take measures to move qi and Blood, and simultaneously nourish the Heart with calming practices like meditation and breathing exercises.
Lung Blood Stasis
The Lung is in direct contact with the outside world, and is highly susceptible to pathogenic factors that can lead to Blood stasis. When Blood stasis affects the Lung, symptoms may include:
Stuffy chest
Coughing up dark blood
It is essential to keep the Lung system healthy to reduce its susceptibility to harmful pathogens. This means maintaining a good posture and practising breathing exercises, engaging in regular physical activity, particularly those that involve the breath, such as yoga, tai chi, and qi gong. Eating more Lung-nourishing foods, such as mushrooms, pears, radish, and almonds, is also recommended.
Stomach Blood Stasis
Stomach Blood stasis can occur as a result of qi stagnation or pathogenic factors within the Stomach. If the Stomach is affected by Blood stasis, the following symptoms may occur alongside the general Blood stasis symptoms listed above:
Upper abdominal pain
Vomiting dark blood
Bloody stools
Treatment will depend on the cause of the stasis, but generally speaking, addressing any pathogenic factors, eating well, and practising good eating habits will be key.
Intestinal Blood Stasis
Like the Stomach, the Intestines can be affected by qi stagnation or pathogenic factors. When there is Blood stasis in the Intestines, the symptoms may include:
Severe abdominal pain
Bloody stools
Like the Stomach, treatment will vary, but diet will likely be key, alongside addressing any lingering pathogens.
Uterus Blood Stasis
The Uterus is closely linked to both the Liver and Heart, both of which play vital roles in regulating the menstrual cycle. Therefore, Blood stasis of the Liver or Heart can also affect the uterus.
In addition to the general Blood stasis symptoms listed above, this may cause:
Late or absent menstruation
Painful menstruation
Premenstrual pain
Dark menstrual blood with clots
Treatment will likely involve improving the health of the Liver and Heart as well as addressing the stasis directly.
Blood Stasis Treatment
Many of the Blood stasis symptoms listed above can be signs of a serious underlying illness and should be investigated by a medical professional. In particular, coughing up or vomiting blood, or blood in the stools, should be reported as soon as possible.
In Chinese medicine terms, treatment will usually involve increasing physical activity to improve circulation, alongside increasing the intake of foods to promote the movement of qi and Blood. Pathogenic factors should also be addressed, if present, and this can be done using herbs and, potentially, dietary approaches. Acupuncture and massage can also be effective in improving the circulation of qi and Blood.
References:
Maciocia G (1989) The Foundations of Chinese Medicine (first edition) - Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, London
Wiseman N, Feng Y (2014) A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine - Paradigm Publications, Taos, NM
Leggett, D. (2005) Helping Ourselves (second edition) - Meridian Press, Totnes