The Huangdi Neijing emphasizes: “What a person possesses are blood and qi.” Blood perfuses the five organs and six bowels, the body’s joints, and the limbs, which is an important guarantee for the normal functioning of physiological functions. If, for some reason, blood circulation slows down and stagnates, it will form pathological products known as yu xue (blood stasis). Blood stasis can also occur when blood overflows from the vessels, leading to li jing zhi xue (extravasated blood); if this blood is not dissipated in time, it will also form blood stasis.
Today, I recommend an acupuncture point (Ge Shu, 膈俞穴) to my moxibustion friends, which can achieve the effect of invigorating blood and nourishing blood whether through massage or moxibustion. First, let’s look at the symptoms that appear in the body when there is blood stasis. What are the manifestations of blood stasis?
01. Pain
“When there is flow, there is no pain; when there is pain, there is no flow.” If blood stasis remains in the body, it will inevitably cause obstruction of the meridians, leading to pain. The characteristics of pain caused by blood stasis include: sharp, stabbing pain, localized pain, and pain that resists pressure, which generally worsens at night.
The manifestations of blood stasis pain syndrome are numerous, mainly depending on the location of the blood stasis, for example:
If blood stasis obstructs the chest area, it will cause typical stabbing pain in the chest; if it obstructs the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), it will cause pain in the epigastric region; if it obstructs the lower jiao, it will cause cramping pain in the lower abdomen; if it obstructs the uterus in women, affecting the flow of chong ren qi xue (the qi and blood of the Chong and Ren meridians), it may lead to menstrual irregularities or postpartum lochia that does not discharge.
02. Masses
Masses are a common manifestation of blood stasis, where blood accumulates locally and, if not dissipated over time, transforms into a mass. A hematoma after trauma is a typical example of blood stasis formation, which is easily understood. In fact, various cysts and tumors that we commonly refer to are also caused by blood stasis.
03. Dark complexion and skin purpura
Individuals with a blood stasis constitution usually have a darker complexion, especially around the eyes, nose, and lips, which appear purplish-dark, and the tongue may have red or bluish-purple spots.