Frozen Shoulder - Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Frozen Shoulder · Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Shoulder

Pattern Overview

Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis is the core pattern in frozen shoulder, characterized by adhesive capsulitis, sharp fixed pain, severe limited movement, and aggravation at night. The core pathogenesis is stagnation of Qi and Blood in the shoulder collaterals, leading to capsular fibrosis, adhesion formation, and progressive restriction of movement.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Sharp, stabbing shoulder pain, fixed location, severe limited movement, worse at night |

| Associated Symptoms | Shoulder stiffness, muscle atrophy, tenderness on palpation |

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

| Pathogenesis | Qi stagnation and Blood stasis obstructing the shoulder collaterals |

| Etiology | Prolonged immobility, trauma, chronic inflammation |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| LI15 Jianyu | On the shoulder, in the depression between the acromion and the greater tubercle | Key point for shoulder pain; unblocks the shoulder meridian |

| LI11 Quchi | Lateral end of the elbow crease | He-Sea point of Large Intestine meridian; regulates Qi and Blood in the upper limb |

| TE14 Jianliao | On the shoulder, posterior to LI15 | Treats shoulder pain and limited movement |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the shoulder | 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. Combine with passive shoulder exercises.

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), Yan Hu Suo

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

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

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

| Pronounced stiffness | Add Shen Jin Cao, Tou Gu Cao to relax sinews |

| Weakness | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi |

Western Mechanism Reference

Adhesive capsulitis with capsular fibrosis, microcirculatory disturbance, and synovial inflammation. Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis corresponds to the freezing stage of frozen shoulder, where progressive capsular fibrosis and adhesion formation severely restrict shoulder movement.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

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

Explore More

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

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM shoulder health.