Foot Arthritis - Blood Stasis Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for foot arthritis with
Foot Arthritis · 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 foot arthritis, characterized by
chronic joint damage, sharp fixed pain, and aggravation at night.
The core pathogenesis is **prolonged stasis of blood in the foot joint
collaterals**, leading to chronic inflammation, joint damage, and
persistent pain.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
location, worse at night |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
movement, tenderness |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
coating, hesitant pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
collaterals |
| Etiology |
|---|
inflammation |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| SP4 Gongsun | Medial foot, below the base of the 1st metatarsal |
|---|
Luo-connecting point of Spleen meridian; treats foot pain |
| BL60 Kunlun |
|---|
tendon | Unblocks the Bladder meridian; treats foot and ankle pain |
| SP10 Xuehai | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella |
|---|
Invigorates blood and resolves stasis |
| Ashi points | Tender spots around the foot joints |
|---|
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 |
|---|
| Chronic joint damage | Add San Leng, E Zhu to break up stasis |
|---|
| Severe pain | Add Ru Xiang, Mo Yao to relieve pain |
|---|
| Swelling | Add Dan Shen, Ji Xue Teng to improve microcirculation |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
Chronic joint damage with microcirculatory disturbance, fibrosis, and
impaired tissue repair. Blood Stasis corresponds to chronic foot
arthritis with significant joint damage, where chronic inflammation and
impaired microcirculation contribute to progressive joint destruction.
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 foot pain
relief.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM arthritis health.
Related TCM Patterns for Foot Arthritis
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.