Blood Stagnation - also often referred to as "Blood Stasis" - is where the Blood flow is heavily restricted in all or parts of the body. It is one of the most important diagnostic conditions in Chinese Medicine because it is frequently the cause of intractable pain syndromes anywhere in the body.

It differs from Qi Stagnation: pain associated with stagnant Qi tends to move and change locations and intensity of sensation, while Stagnant Blood results in a fixed stabbing pain. Also when a stagnant Qi doesn't lead to skin symptoms, Blood Stagnation often leads to signs on the skin such as purple blotches or bruises, purple lips,  face and nails.

The causes for Blood stagnation can include:

Qi Stagnation: this is the most common cause of Blood Stagnation since Qi moves Blood. As a result if Qi stagnates then Blood stagnates.

Qi Deficiency: again, Qi moves Blood. Therefore it is logical that if Qi becomes too weak, this would result in its Blood-moving function not being performed optimally.

Heat in the Blood: this may cause the Blood to condense and therefore stagnate.

Blood Deficiency: since Qi and Blood move together, a Blood Deficiency over the long term may result in a Qi Deficiency which, as explained above, may induce Blood Stagnation.

Interior Cold: Cold congeals Blood which slows down its flow.

Phlegm: although Phlegm doesn't directly induce Blood Stagnation, it is an aggravating factor.

Liver disorders: since the Liver "stores the Blood".

Spleen disorders: since a function of the Spleen is to maintain Blood in the vessels.

Traumas or severe injuries

Difficult childbirth, abortion, miscarriage and menopause

Some gynecological diseases

Blood Stagnation is a condition of toxicity which the main distinguishing symptom is pain that is fixed in one place, and is of a boring or stabbing character. Most commonly the pain is located in the lower abdominal area.

To determine this, lie on your back with legs flexed, then rather gently at first, palpate the lower abdomen below the umbilicus, especially the left and right sides. If there is severe Blood Stagnation, you will usually feel pain upon palpation. Milder Stagnation may result in lumps or swelling in the area.

Other symptoms of Blood Stagnation can include traumatic swelling, blotchy skin, increase in skin capillaries, red spots and varicosities, coarseness of the skin and discoloration, itchy scalp, shoulder stiffness, dizziness and numbness. The tongue may exhibit a purplish cast especially noticeable on the sides, and there may be a tendency to bleed. There may be a feeling of abdominal fullness, even when there isn't any, especially in women before menses.

The Organ that is most frequently affected by Blood Stagnation is the Liver. Other Organs that are commonly affected are the Heart, Lungs, Stomach, Intestines and Uterus.