What is Blood Stasis?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), blood stasis refers to the stagnation or pooling of blood in the body. Imagine a busy highway with an accident or roadblock—traffic becomes stuck, and nothing moves smoothly. Similarly, blood stasis occurs when blood fails to flow freely through the body’s channels and organs, causing poor circulation and potential health issues.
Common Symptoms of Blood Stasis Body Constitution
Blood stasis can show up in various ways. People with this constitution often experience:
- Unexplained bruising or frequent occurrences of bruises
-
Dark and dull lips
- Dull skin complexion
- Dark or purplish tongue color or dark spots on the tongue
-
Irregular menstruation, often accompanied by clots and pain
- Persistent, fixed, or stabbing pain in a specific area
The Relationship Between Organs and Blood Stasis
Blood circulates continuously in our meridians and vessels, thanks to the combined functions of the Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys. When any of these organs are deficient or not functioning properly, blood fails to circulate smoothly, causing stagnation. This can block vessels or, in extreme cases, cause blood to leak out of them.
Causes of Blood Stasis Body Constitution
Several factors can contribute to blood stasis, including:
-
Emotional stress and anxiety: Prolonged periods of stress and anxiety without sufficient rest affect blood circulation and lead to blood stasis.
-
Poor dietary habits: Over-eating cold and raw food, oily and greasy food cause the qi and blood flow to be stagnant, resulting in blood stasis.
-
Lack of exercise: Prolonged periods of inactivity lead to slow blood and qi flow, resulting in blood stasis.
-
Trauma: Injuries, surgeries or physical trauma disrupt the normal flow of qi and blood, leading to blood stasis.
Blood Stasis and Body Illness
Every organ, muscle, and joint in our body needs sufficient supply of qi, blood, and nutrients. Blood stasis can become a cause of disease itself. When stagnant blood obstructs the blood vessels, new blood cannot occupy its right place and will leak out, leading to hemorrhages. Blood stasis in elderly people increases the risk of arterial stenosis, sclerosis (thickening and hardening of arteries wall), and cognitive impairment. It can also lead to serious health problems such as heart attack, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, stroke, thrombosis, and headaches. Women with blood stasis body constitution have higher risks of fibroids, cysts, and endometriosis.
Treatment for Blood Stasis Body Constitution
-
Herbal medicines: Chinese herbal medication is used to promote circulation and reduce blood stasis. Common herbs that are often used include Chuan Xiong, Hong Hua, Dan Shen, Chi Shao, and Tao Ren. These herbs are usually combined with others to create customized formulas tailored to individual needs.
-
Wet cupping: Wet cupping involves puncturing the skin and using suction cups to create a vacuum over the affected area to draw out a small amount of blood. This helps promote circulation and remove blood stasis. Studies have shown that wet cupping can be an effective treatment for reducing blood stasis, particularly in patients with cardiovascular disease.
-
Acupuncture: Acupuncture promotes the flow of qi and blood, helping to break up blood stasis. Think of it like clearing debris blocking a river—acupuncture needles clear the obstacles and allow the flow to resume.
-
Moxibustion: This technique involves burning mugwort (Ai Cao) near the skin to promote circulation, warm meridians, and reduce blood stasis. The gentle heat from burning mugwort penetrates the skin, stimulates blood flow, and helps break up blood stasis.
Conclusion
Blood stasis can lead to a range of health issues, but with the right treatment, it is possible to promote healthy circulation and restore balance in the body. By addressing the root causes, such as emotional stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and trauma, and seeking appropriate TCM treatments like herbal medicine, acupuncture, and cupping, you can break the stagnation and enhance your well-being.