Gout - Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Gout · Blood Stasis Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Joints

Pattern Overview

Blood Stasis is a chronic pattern in gout, characterized by chronic urate deposition, tophi formation, joint deformity, sharp fixed pain, and nodule formation. The core pathogenesis is prolonged illness causing blood stasis in the joints, leading to tophi formation, periarticular fibrosis, and joint destruction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Sharp, fixed pain, joint deformity, tophi formation |

| Associated Symptoms | Dark complexion, purple-dark lips, limited joint movement |

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

| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis with tophi formation and joint destruction |

| Etiology | Prolonged gout, inadequate treatment, repeated attacks |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

| Geshu (BL17) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T7 | Back-Shu point of the Blood; invigorates Blood and resolves stasis |

| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Nourishes Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |

| Fenglong (ST40) | 8 cun above the lateral malleolus, 2 cun lateral to the tibial crest | Transforms Phlegm and Dampness |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the affected joint | Local blood invigoration and pain relief |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with cupping at Ashi points to enhance blood stasis resolution.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang (身痛逐瘀汤) + Si Miao San (四妙散)

Composition:

Peach Kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Angelica (Dang Gui), Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Myrrh (Mo Yao), Achyranthes (Niu Xi), Atractylodes (Cang Zhu), Phellodendron (Huang Bai)

Action: Invigorates blood, resolves stasis, clears Damp-Heat, and unblocks collaterals.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Tophi formation | Add San Leng, E Zhu to break up stasis |

| Severe pain | Add Ru Xiang, Yan Hu Suo to relieve pain |

| Joint deformity | Add Wei Ling Xian, Hai Feng Teng to unblock collaterals |

| Swelling | Add Dan Shen, Chi Shao to improve microcirculation |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic urate deposition causing tophi formation, periarticular fibrosis, and progressive joint destruction. Blood Stasis corresponds to chronic gout with tophi formation, where persistent urate deposition leads to periarticular fibrosis, tophi, and progressive joint damage.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Bi Syndrome with Blood Stasis Obstruction.

  2. DB-XJB: Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang.

  3. WHO. (2023). Gout fact sheet. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for joint health.

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