In a previous article, we looked at an Eastern Medicine health condition known as “Blood Deficiency”. Somewhat similar to the Western diagnosis of anemia, Blood Deficiency is a weakness and inability of the Blood to properly perform its job of bringing nourishment to the rest of the body.

Its opposite condition is known as “Blood Stagnation” (or “Blood Stasis”) and is a concept unique to Traditional Oriental Medicine with no direct equivalent in Western Medicine. Blood Stagnation can be thought of as Blood that is no longer able to function as Blood. It is not circulating properly within the body and instead will actually create problems and disease.

One simple example of this would be the case of trauma suffered from a sports injury. The purple discoloration from the bruising that occurs is blood that has leaked out from the blood vessels, and is no longer available for use by the body.

Blood Stagnation is commonly associated with an extremely wide range of symptoms, including:

• heart problems such as arteriosclerosis & hypertension
• pressure sensation in the chest
• shoulder & upper/mid back stiffness
• dry mouth
• rough & dry skin
• liver disease such as hepatitis
• chronic constipation
• sciatica & lower back pain
• varicose veins
• cold sensation in the body, especially the lower back, legs, & feet, sometimes accompanied by heat sensation in the upper part of the body & face

Many gynecological health problems are also often seen in cases of Blood Stasis, including:

• irregular menstrual periods
• painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
• ovarian cysts
• uterine fibroids
• infertility or miscarriage
• other hormone imbalances

Besides the various symptoms that usually accompany Blood Stagnation, other methods are also used to confirm the diagnosis. For example, when examining the abdomen during acupuncture treatment, oftentimes there will be tenderness to the touch, especially either under the ribcage area or in the lower abdomen.

There are many combinations of factors that can lead to Blood Stasis, including infections, trauma & accidents, chronic Liver problems, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Some people also tend to have an hereditary predisposition which leaves them more susceptible towards this condition.
Finally, emotional disturbances, especially repressed anger, is another common contributing issue that needs to be considered when treating Blood Stagnation.

Tips for Reducing Blood Stagnation

1. Take care of your injuries – Bumps, bruises, sprains, fractures, surgeries – these are all forms of trauma to the body. However, Blood Stasis can take many years to develop before manifesting as health problems, so it’s important not to neglect or inadequately treat injuries at the time they occur.
2. Moxibustion – a form of heat therapy using the burning leaf of the Mugwort plant, moxa is often recommended for home treatment and when used on certain acupuncture points, has a regulating effect on the body’s Blood circulation. In the case of trauma & injuries, it can be used to facilitate the healing process and helps to prevent Blood Stasis from developing in the injured areas.
3. Relax the back – in acupuncture & shiatsu, the area between the shoulder blades contains vital points that correspond to the Heart and Liver systems, two of the most important organs involved with regulating Blood circulation. This region, especially in situations of Blood Stagnation caused by emotional stress, tends to become tight and constricted if left untreated. As the area becomes more relaxed, accompanying symptoms will often improve as well.