Knee Pain - Blood Stasis Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for knee pain with Blood
Knee Pain · Blood Stasis Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 6 min
Body Area: Knee
Pattern Overview
Blood Stasis is a common pattern in knee pain, characterized by
ligament injury, sharp fixed pain, and aggravation at night. The
core pathogenesis is **stagnation of blood in the knee collaterals
following injury or overuse**, leading to pain, swelling, and impaired
healing.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
location, worse at night |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
tenderness |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
coating, hesitant pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis obstructing the knee collaterals |
|---|
| Etiology | Knee injury, ligament sprain, sports trauma |
|---|
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| ST35 Dubi | In the two hollows beside the patella |
|---|
that reduce knee pain and swelling |
| BL40 Weizhong |
|---|
| He-Sea point of Bladder meridian; treats back and knee pain |
| SP10 Xuehai | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella |
|---|
Invigorates blood and resolves stasis |
| Ashi points | Tender spots around the knee |
|---|
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
Ligament injury with microcirculatory disturbance, local hematoma, and
inflammatory response. Blood Stasis corresponds to knee ligament
injuries, 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 knee pain
relief.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM joint health.
Related TCM Patterns for Knee Pain
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.