Neck Pain - Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Neck Pain · Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Neck

Pattern Overview

Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis is a common pattern in neck pain, characterized by whiplash or chronic strain, sharp fixed pain, and aggravation at night. The core pathogenesis is stagnation of Qi and Blood in the neck collaterals following injury or chronic strain, leading to pain, swelling, and impaired healing.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Sharp, stabbing neck pain, fixed location, worse at night |

| Associated Symptoms | Limited movement, tenderness on palpation, dull complexion |

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

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

| Etiology | Whiplash injury, chronic poor posture, prolonged desk work |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| GB20 Fengchi | Depression below the occipital bone | Disperses Wind; treats neck pain |

| BL10 Tianzhu | 1.3 cun lateral to GB20, in the neck | Unblocks the Bladder meridian; treats neck pain |

| GB21 Jianjing | Midpoint of the shoulder, on the trapezius muscle | Relaxes the shoulder and neck muscles |

| Ashi points | Tender spots in the neck and shoulders | 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), 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 |

| Dizziness | Add Bai Zhi, Man Jing Zi to disperse Wind and stop pain |

| Arm numbness | Add Ji Xue Teng, Sang Zhi to unblock collaterals |

| Qi deficiency | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi and invigorate blood |

Western Mechanism Reference

Whiplash or chronic strain with local soft tissue damage, microcirculatory disturbance, and hematoma formation. Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis corresponds to neck pain from whiplash injury or chronic strain, where soft tissue damage and impaired microcirculation contribute to persistent pain.

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 neck pain relief.

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