Field Guide
TCM — Blood Stasis
When Blood does not move freely, it stagnates — producing fixed, sharp pain and dark, clotted flow. Often follows long-standing Qi stagnation, cold, or trauma.
The clinical picture
Symptoms, causes & labs
Common symptoms
- Fixed, stabbing pain (headaches, menstrual cramps)
- Dark, clotted menstrual flow
- Purple-tinged tongue or lips
- Visible spider veins, easy bruising
Possible root causes
- Long-standing Qi stagnation
- Cold exposure, trauma or surgery
- Chronic inflammation
Labs a practitioner may consider
- TCM pulse and tongue diagnosis
- Coagulation panel, hs-CRP, iron studies (as Western correlates)
Where you have leverage
Common lifestyle changes that help
These are the foundational shifts most often used alongside clinical care for this pattern. Start with one; layer in the next only when the first feels automatic. Discuss anything major with your practitioner.
- Warming, blood-moving foods: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, dark leafy greens, beets
- Keep warm — cold contracts and worsens stasis
- Regular gentle movement; avoid long periods of sitting
- Reduce processed foods and alcohol (thicken and stagnate blood)
- Bodywork (cupping, massage, acupuncture) can move stuck blood
Is this pattern showing up in your body?
Take our physician-designed assessment — 8 minutes, 80 questions across 25 root-cause categories.
Related categories
Medical disclaimer
This page is educational only. It is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not self-treat based on the information here. If you have symptoms, consult a licensed healthcare professional.