Blood Stagnation

What is Blood Stagnation

Blood stagnation or blood stasis is the disrupted flow of blood thru tissues in the body (1).  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is quite common and can lead to a variety of problems and is a major contributor to disease and discomfort.  There are many causes of the disrupted flow of blood.  Good blood circulation is necessary for optimal functioning of cells making up an organ.  Blood stagnation can occur in joints, muscles, organs, tendons, and the head resulting in various types of head aches

Symptoms of blood stagnation

Qi, the energetic that flows thru the body and the basis of acupuncture needling, can be disrupted resulting in various symptoms depending on the location of the qi stagnation.  Although it is the heart that pumps and moves the blood in our traditional understanding, the flow of qi helps with this movement, specially thru the tissues and cells.  When the qi is disrupted due to a number of reasons, blood stagnation follows.

Qi can get disrupted due to trauma or an impact, emotional stress, qi deficiency, poor diet, cold, and even heat that gets blocked in an organ.  Good health is all about the smooth flow of qi, flow of emotions, flow of blood, movement of the body, and a good diet.

• Varicose veins:   varicose veins are usually an indication of blood stagnation in the lower body
• Tongue:  the tongue is a good reflection of the internal health of the body.  In blood stagnation the tongue is slightly bluish or has raised red or blue dots on it
• Pulse:  In TCM, tongue diagnosis is an essential part of the treatment plan.  When there is blood stagnation the pulse is choppy or irregular
• Pain:  pain due to blood stagnation is caused by poor circulation of the blood, or trauma due to overuse or repeated injury.  This pain is often a stabbing pain, sharp pain, or a pain that lingers in cases of an elbow injury for example.
• Numbness or Tingling:  when the blood and qi aren’t circulating properly, the proper nutrients are not being received by the tissue and waste products of the cells are not being removed properly resulting in numbness or tingling.
• Swelling and masses:   When blood isnt circulating properly, the disrupted flow results in swelling, which depending on many other factors can lead to cysts, fibroids, benign or malignant tumours.

Treatments for blood stagnation

• Acupuncture:  Although blood stagnation is a concept that is more readily accepted and treated in allopathic medicine lately, it is a common occurrence in traditional medicine and is successfully treated by acupuncture and other modalities
• Herbal Formulas:  There are herbal formulas that break up blood stasis and restore the flow of blood to the tissues.  In cases of sports injuries that linger different herbal formulas can help repair the tissue and bring healing
• Cupping and Gua Sha:  these are old techniques that help to move blood in the muscle layer and tendons bringing accelerated relief.

Conclusion

Blood stagnation is a concept mostly rooted in Oriental medicine although western or allopathic medicine realizes its contribution to disease and disharmony.  Summit Healing Arts Acupuncture treats this condition very effectively and if you are experiencing pain that is resistant to treatment or has been lingering around indefinitely, give me a call and lets discuss what can be done for you.