Type 2 Diabetes - Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Type 2 Diabetes · 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 type 2 diabetes, characterized by hyperglycemia-induced AGEs formation causing vascular damage, diabetic microvascular complications, numbness, and poor wound healing. The core pathogenesis is prolonged hyperglycemia causing blood stasis in the collaterals, leading to microvascular damage and diabetic complications.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Numbness and tingling, poor wound healing, dark complexion |

| Associated Symptoms | Purple-dark lips, dry skin, fixed pain, diabetic neuropathy |

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

| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis in the collaterals due to prolonged hyperglycemia |

| Etiology | Prolonged diabetes, poor glycemic control, microvascular damage |

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 |

| Yishu (EX-B3) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T8 | Extra point specifically for diabetes; regulates pancreatic function |

| Taichong (LR3) | Dorsum of the foot, between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals | Soothes Liver Qi and invigorates blood |

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

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (桃红四物汤) + Jiang Tang Huo Xue Fang (降糖活血方)

Composition:

Peach Kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Angelica (Dang Gui), Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Red Peony (Chi Shao), Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Salvia (Dan Shen)

Action: Invigorates blood, resolves stasis, and improves microcirculation.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

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

| Poor wound healing | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi and invigorate blood |

| Neuropathy | Add Niu Xi, Di Long to unblock collaterals |

| Retinopathy | Add Gou Qi, Ju Hua to nourish the Liver and brighten the eyes |

Western Mechanism Reference

Hyperglycemia-induced AGEs formation causing vascular endothelial damage, microcirculatory disturbance, and diabetic microvascular complications. Blood Stasis corresponds to diabetic microvascular complications, where AGEs formation and vascular damage contribute to neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Wasting-Thirst with Blood Stasis.

  2. DB-XJB: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang.

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

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