Peripheral Neuropathy - Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Peripheral Neuropathy · Blood Stasis Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Blood Stasis is a common pattern in peripheral neuropathy, characterized by nerve damage with numbness, sharp pain, and aggravation at night. The core pathogenesis is stagnation of blood in the peripheral nerve collaterals, leading to impaired nerve perfusion, numbness, and pain.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Numbness, sharp stabbing pain in hands and feet, worse at night |

| Associated Symptoms | Tingling, burning sensation, dark complexion, purple-dark lips |

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

| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis obstructing the peripheral nerve collaterals |

| Etiology | Diabetes, chronic inflammation, trauma, prolonged nerve compression |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

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

| BL40 Weizhong | Midpoint of the popliteal crease (behind the knee) | He-Sea point of Bladder meridian; treats leg pain |

| Ashi points | Tender spots in the affected areas | Local blood invigoration and pain relief |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; cupping 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 |

| :— | :— |

| Severe numbness | Add Ji Xue Teng, Dan Shen to improve circulation |

| Burning pain | Add Dan Shen, Chi Shao to cool the blood and relieve pain |

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

Western Mechanism Reference

Nerve damage with numbness, microcirculatory disturbance, and impaired nerve perfusion. Blood Stasis corresponds to peripheral neuropathy with significant vascular impairment, where reduced blood flow to the nerves contributes to ischemia, pain, and sensory loss.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. World Health Organization.

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