Rib Pain - Blood Stasis Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for rib pain with Blood
Rib Pain · Blood Stasis Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 6 min
Body Area: Chest
Pattern Overview
Blood Stasis is a common pattern in rib pain, characterized by
**fracture or traumatic pain, sharp fixed pain, and aggravation at
night. The core pathogenesis is trauma causing stagnation of blood
in the rib collaterals**, leading to severe pain, swelling, and impaired
healing.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
location, worse at night |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
palpation, limited breathing |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
coating, hesitant pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
trauma |
| Etiology | Rib fracture, contusion, blunt trauma, surgery |
|---|
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| BL17 Geshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T7 |
|---|
the Blood; invigorates Blood and resolves stasis |
| LR3 Taichong |
|---|
metatarsals | Soothes Liver Qi and regulates Qi flow |
| Ashi points | Tender spots in the rib area |
|---|
invigoration and pain relief |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; cupping
at Ashi points may be used to enhance blood stasis resolution. Avoid
deep needling near the rib area.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (血府逐瘀汤)
Composition:
Peach Kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Angelica (Dang Gui),
Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Red Peony (Chi Shao), Rehmannia (Sheng Di),
Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Platycodon (Jie Geng), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Invigorates blood, resolves stasis, regulates Qi, 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 |
|---|
| Breathing difficulty |
|---|
chest tightness |
Western Mechanism Reference
Fracture or traumatic pain with local hematoma, tissue damage, and
microcirculatory disturbance. Blood Stasis corresponds to rib pain
following trauma, 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 chest pain
relief.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM chest health.
Related TCM Patterns for Rib 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.