Fibromyalgia · 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 chronic pattern in fibromyalgia, characterized by chronic pain with fixed locations, aggravation at night, and dark complexion. The core pathogenesis is stagnation of blood in the collaterals, leading to fixed pain points and impaired tissue nourishment throughout the body.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| Primary Symptoms | Chronic pain with fixed tender points, worse at night |
| Associated Symptoms | Dark complexion, purple-dark lips, dry skin, palpable nodules |
| Tongue and Pulse | Purple-dark tongue with petechiae, thin white coating, hesitant pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Blood stasis obstructing the body’s collaterals |
| Etiology | Chronic pain, prolonged illness, trauma, inactivity |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| BL17 Geshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T7 | Back-Shu point of the Blood; invigorates Blood and resolves stasis |
| SP10 Xuehai | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella | Invigorates blood and resolves stasis |
| BL40 Weizhong | Midpoint of the popliteal crease | He-Sea point of Bladder meridian; treats back and leg pain |
| Ashi points | Tender spots throughout the body | Local blood invigoration and pain relief |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; cupping at Ashi points may be used to enhance blood stasis resolution.
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 |
| Fixed tender points | Add Dan Shen, San Leng to break up stasis |
| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi |
Western Mechanism Reference
Chronic pain with fixed locations, microcirculatory disturbance, and impaired tissue perfusion. Blood Stasis corresponds to fibromyalgia with prominent tender points and poor tissue perfusion, where chronic inflammation and microcirculatory dysfunction contribute to persistent pain.
References
- Textbook Standard.
- WHO. (2023). Fibromyalgia fact sheet. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for widespread pain relief.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM chronic pain management.