Foot Arthritis - Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Foot Arthritis · Blood Stasis Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Foot

Pattern Overview

Blood Stasis is a chronic pattern in foot arthritis, characterized by chronic joint damage, sharp fixed pain, and aggravation at night. The core pathogenesis is prolonged stasis of blood in the foot joint collaterals, leading to chronic inflammation, joint damage, and persistent pain.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Sharp, stabbing pain in the foot joints, fixed location, worse at night |

| Associated Symptoms | Chronic swelling, joint deformity, limited movement, tenderness |

| Tongue and Pulse | Purple-dark tongue with petechiae, thin white coating, hesitant pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis with fibrosis obstructing the joint collaterals |

| Etiology | Chronic arthritis, repeated trauma, prolonged inflammation |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| SP4 Gongsun | Medial foot, below the base of the 1st metatarsal | Luo-connecting point of Spleen meridian; treats foot pain |

| BL60 Kunlun | Depression between lateral malleolus and Achilles tendon | Unblocks the Bladder meridian; treats foot and ankle pain |

| SP10 Xuehai | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella | Invigorates blood and resolves stasis |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the foot joints | Local blood invigoration and pain relief |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; cupping or pricking at Ashi points may be used to enhance blood stasis resolution.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (桃红四物汤)

Composition:

Peach Kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Angelica (Dang Gui), Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Red Peony (Chi Shao), Rehmannia (Sheng Di)

Action: Invigorates blood, resolves stasis, nourishes blood, and relieves pain.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Chronic joint damage | Add San Leng, E Zhu to break up stasis |

| Severe pain | Add Ru Xiang, Mo Yao to relieve pain |

| Swelling | Add Dan Shen, Ji Xue Teng to improve microcirculation |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic joint damage with microcirculatory disturbance, fibrosis, and impaired tissue repair. Blood Stasis corresponds to chronic foot arthritis with significant joint damage, where chronic inflammation and impaired microcirculation contribute to progressive joint destruction.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Musculoskeletal pain. World Health Organization.

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  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for foot pain relief.

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