If the flow of Qi is impeded in any way, it becomes stuck or stagnant. This can be likened to a traffic jam on the freeway. That's why, unlike in the cases of Qi Deficiency or Qi Sinking, tonification is contraindicated: it would be like adding more cars to the traffic jam. Instead, Qi moving or regulating therapy is required.

Qi Stagnation can lead to an impairment of any of the Organs. When Qi is stagnant in the limbs or in the Channels of the body, aches and pains may result. The Liver is the main Organ affected by Qi Stagnation. However other Organs often also suffer from it, for example the Heart, Lungs, Stomach or Intestines.

In a Qi Stagnation condition, the person is usually not tired as in Qi Deficiency, but tend to experience a range of emotional symptoms: the feeling of being 'stuck', being frustrated, easily irritated, etc. The feeling of distension (i.e. feeling 'bloated'), which can affect the throat, chest, epigastrium, or abdomen, is the most characteristic and important of the symptoms of Qi Stagnation.

Stagnant Qi is an Excess condition. When Qi is Stagnant it can lead to other types of Stagnation such as Blood, Fluids or food Stagnation. Likewise, poor Blood or Body Fluids circulation can result in Qi condensing and stagnating, resulting in lumps, physical masses or tumors.