Moxibustion for Blood Stasis Pattern: Acupoint Protocols

Blood Stasis Pattern (Xue Yu Zheng, 瘀证) refers to a condition where blood flow is obstructed or sluggish in the vessels and channels. Moxibustion treats blood stasis by warming the channels to promote blood circulation – warmth expands vessels, increases microcirculation, and helps resolve stagnant blood. This guide covers blood stasis subtypes and their acupoint protocols.

What is Blood Stasis Pattern in Chinese medicine?

Blood stasis arises from qi stagnation, cold invasion, traumatic injury, or chronic disease. Key signs: fixed stabbing pain (worse at night), dark purple tongue or spots, purple nails/lips, varicose veins, dark clotted menstrual blood, palpable masses. Moxibustion is most effective for blood stasis due to cold or qi stagnation (less effective for heat-induced stasis).

Blood Stasis Subtypes and Protocols

1. Blood Stasis in the Uterus (Bao Gong Yu Xue)

Key symptoms: Severe dysmenorrhea with dark clotted blood, irregular menstruation, infertility, uterine fibroids, endometriosis. Pain is stabbing and fixed.

Protocol: CV4 (Guanyuan) 15-20 min, SP6 (Sanyinjiao) 10-15 min, ST36 (Zusanli) 10-15 min, SP8 (Diji) 10 min, BL17 (Geshu) 10 min. Ginger-separated moxa on CV4 for stubborn stasis. Treat daily during luteal phase (days 14-28 of cycle).

Related: Dysmenorrhea Protocol | CV4 Reference | Fertility

2. Blood Stasis Bi Syndrome (Yu Xue Bi)

Key symptoms: Chronic joint or musculoskeletal pain with fixed location, nocturnal pain, stiffness, history of trauma. Common in chronic pain conditions.

Protocol: Local Ah Shi points (painful spots) 15-20 min, ST36 (Zusanli) 10-15 min, SP10 (Xuehai) 10 min, BL17 (Geshu) 10 min. Direct moxibustion with small cones on Ah Shi points (3-5 cones) for stubborn pain. Treat 3-4 times weekly.

Related: Pain Relief | Knee OA

Evidence Summary

Research supports moxibustion for blood stasis conditions. A 2019 clinical trial found that moxibustion at CV4 and SP6 improved pelvic blood flow velocity by 32% in women with blood stasis dysmenorrhea. For chronic pain with stasis pattern, a 2020 systematic review reported that moxibustion on Ah Shi points reduced pain scores by 41% compared to baseline, with effects lasting 4-6 weeks after treatment cessation.

Contraindications

• Acute trauma with fresh bleeding (avoid direct heat over injury)
• Blood stasis due to heat toxicity (red, hot, swollen joints)
• Hemorrhagic conditions or anticoagulant therapy
• Standard pregnancy precautions

Full safety: Moxibustion Safety Guide

References

1. Wu J, et al. Moxibustion improves pelvic blood flow in dysmenorrhea with blood stasis: clinical study. Chin J Integr Med. 2019;25(6):441-447. PubMed
2. Li Y, et al. Ah Shi point moxibustion for chronic pain: systematic review. J Pain Res. 2020;13:1123-1135. PubMed