blood stasis

Blood Stasis means that Blood is no longer circulating freely and has become obstructed in a channel, organ system, or localized area. Its hallmark tendencies are fixed, persistent, or stabbing pain; dark or purplish discoloration; clots; firm masses; and symptoms that may worsen at night. The exact presentation changes with the site of the stasis and with any accompanying Cold, Heat, Qi Stagnation, or deficiency. A dusky or purple tongue, purple spots, or distended sublingual veins may be seen, while the pulse is often choppy, wiry, or firm. TCM interpretation treats Blood Stasis as a pathological state of impaired movement, not as a direct equivalent of a single biomedical circulatory disorder.