Wrist Pain - Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Wrist Pain · Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Wrist

Pattern Overview

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

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

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

| Associated Symptoms | Swelling, tenderness, limited wrist movement |

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

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

| Etiology | Wrist injury, carpal bone fracture, chronic overuse |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| TE5 Waiguan | 2 cun above the wrist crease, dorsal side | Unblocks the Triple Energizer meridian; treats wrist and arm pain |

| LI5 Yangxi | On the wrist crease, radial side | Source point of Large Intestine meridian; treats wrist pain and stiffness |

| PC7 Daling | Center of the wrist crease | Source point of Pericardium meridian; treats wrist pain |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the wrist | 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 |

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

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

Western Mechanism Reference

Carpal injury with microcirculatory disturbance, local hematoma, and inflammatory response. Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis corresponds to wrist pain from injury or chronic overuse, where soft tissue damage and localized bleeding cause inflammation and 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 wrist pain relief.

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