The health of the body depends on the quality of the functioning of various systems. If a certain part of the body is blocked, diseases will inevitably follow!
What causes blood stasis?
Blood stasis refers to a condition in which the meridians are obstructed and blood circulation is impaired due to various factors, characterized primarily by a dull complexion and a purplish tongue.
The most obvious manifestations are color changes, such as a dull complexion, pigmentation, and the appearance of bruises on the body, as well as numbness in the limbs; these symptoms are all indicative of blood stasis.
Additionally, there may be dark lips, a dark tongue body, and a notably dark or thickened sublingual veins.
Furthermore, the pulse in TCM is described as a rough pulse, indicating that the blood flow is not smooth. Individuals with blood stasis tend to be irritable and may exhibit forgetfulness. The tendency for blood stasis is to develop conditions such as zheng jia (症瘕), which refers to various masses or lumps, including benign or malignant tumors. Other conditions include chest obstruction, which can resemble coronary heart disease, as well as pain syndromes and blood disorders.
What diseases can stasis lead to?
Blood stasis in the brain can lead to cerebrovascular diseases, such as cerebral infarction and stroke; stasis in the heart can result in cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, and coronary heart disease; blood stasis in the liver can lead to liver diseases, such as fatty liver and cirrhosis.
If blood stasis occurs in the uterus, it can lead to menstrual disorders, such as dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, or even infertility; if blood stasis occurs in the skin, it can lead to skin issues, such as acne and other pigmentation disorders.
Blood Stasis in the Brain
In TCM, the brain is considered the sea of marrow, where the essence and qi of the five organs and six bowels converge. Mild cases may present with headaches, dizziness, memory decline, insomnia, vivid dreams, limb numbness, and a lack of tongue mobility; severe cases may suddenly lead to cerebral infarction.
When stasis occurs, strange diseases arise. Accumulated blood in the body that is not expelled or dissipated in time leads to bruising, which is actually an early manifestation of blood stasis.
Bloodletting Therapy for Improving Cerebrovascular Stasis
The Huangdi Neijing states: “The blood vessels are firm and horizontal, with no fixed position; small ones are like needles, and large ones are like tendons; thus, bloodletting is the best solution.”
Bloodletting therapy has a long history in China, originating in the Neolithic era when people used stone needles for bloodletting; today, we use three-edged needles for this purpose.
To treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, bloodletting can be performed at the Dazhui (大椎) and Quxi (曲泽) acupoints, which can effectively detoxify and resolve stasis.
Important Note: Bloodletting therapy should be performed by a qualified physician. Before bloodletting, it is essential to diagnose whether the patient is suitable for this treatment; additionally, the patient should drink warm water 5-10 minutes before the procedure and avoid bathing within 24 hours after bloodletting to prevent infection.
Bloodletting therapy should be conducted in a professional medical institution; at home, we can also adopt some health methods to improve blood supply to the brain.
Learn to Do Brain-Refreshing Exercises
1. Tap the Baihui and Sishencong Points
Hold your hand in a loose fist and use the fleshy part of your thumb to tap the Baihui (百会) and Sishencong (四神聪) acupoints for a few minutes each day. This tapping can change the blood circulation in the brain and improve blood supply.
2. Massage Fengchi
The Fengchi (风池) point is located behind the ear, between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trapezius muscle. Use your middle finger to massage it; the harder you press, the better the effect. This massage can improve blood supply from the neck to the head and also has a vision-enhancing effect.
Blood Stasis in the Heart
Stasis in the heart can lead to cardiovascular diseases; mild cases may present with palpitations and shortness of breath, while severe cases may even lead to myocardial infarction.
If symptoms such as a dull complexion, bluish tongue, white greasy tongue coating, and engorged sublingual veins appear, it indicates that there is stasis in the heart.
Acupoint Massage to Prevent Heart Vessel Stasis
1. Massage the Laogong Point
Massaging the Laogong (劳宫) point can improve the temperature of the hands.
2. Push Neiguan to Daling
From the Neiguan (内关) point, push towards the base of the wrist until you feel warmth.
3. Relaxing Movements
With palms facing up, raise your arms to shoulder width, then bend your arms at a 90-degree angle and slowly extend and flex.
“Having a blocked body” is terrifying. Everyone should stay alert and be vigilant, acting as the “unclogging worker” for their body.
About the Author
Wu Xiaohong Attending Physician, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation, Third People’s Hospital of Baiyin CitySpecializes in:Diagnosis and treatment of various neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain, as well as cerebrovascular diseases.
Editor:Liang Li
Editor-in-Chief: Lv JuanbiSupervisor: Wu ZongzhiPublicity Department, Third People’s Hospital of Baiyin City