Plantar Fasciitis - Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Plantar Fasciitis · 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 plantar fasciitis, characterized by chronic plantar pain, sharp fixed pain, and aggravation at night. The core pathogenesis is stagnation of blood in the heel collaterals, leading to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and persistent pain.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

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

| Associated Symptoms | Chronic pain, tenderness on palpation, limited walking ability |

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

| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis obstructing the heel collaterals |

| Etiology | Chronic overuse, repetitive microtrauma, prolonged standing |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

| KI3 Taixi | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; tonifies Kidney Qi |

| KI6 Zhaohai | 1 cun below the medial malleolus | Master point of the Yin linking channel; treats heel pain |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the heel | 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 |

| :— | :— |

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

| Chronic condition | Add Dan Shen, Ji Xue Teng to improve microcirculation |

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

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic plantar pain with local microcirculatory disturbance, fibrosis, and impaired tissue repair. Blood Stasis corresponds to chronic plantar fasciitis with poor healing, where chronic inflammation and impaired microcirculation contribute to persistent pain.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

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

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