Symptom family: Injuries, Cuts & Traumatic Wounds
Parent symptom: Bruising
Contusions blood stasis refers to a condition in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where bruising leads to stagnation of blood in specific body areas. In Western medicine, this is understood as the pooling of blood in tissues after an injury, resulting in discoloration, pain, and swelling.
This condition occurs when the small blood vessels are damaged and leak blood into the surrounding tissues. In TCM, contusions blood stasis is seen as more than just a physical injury, involving the disruption of the body's energy pathways or Qi.
In TCM, contusions blood stasis is perceived as a disruption in the harmonious flow of Qi and Blood, leading to stagnation and pooling in specific areas. This stagnation is believed to block the meridians, leading to pain and swelling.
Unlike Western medicine, which focuses primarily on the physical aspects of bruising, TCM considers both the physical and energetic implications of the injury. The treatment aims to restore the flow of Qi and Blood, alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and promote healing.
From a TCM perspective, contusions blood stasis can arise from a variety of patterns. One significant cause is direct physical trauma, which leads to the rupture of blood vessels and subsequent pooling of blood.
Another cause can be a Deficiency in the body’s Qi, which fails to move and nourish the Blood effectively. This stagnation may also be linked to underlying imbalances in the body’s organ systems, particularly the Liver, which in TCM is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and blood throughout the body. Treatments in TCM focus on addressing these root causes to alleviate symptoms and promote healing.
In managing contusions blood stasis, TCM utilizes a range of herbs known for their ability to invigorate blood circulation and resolve stasis. One such herb is Sappan Woods (Su Mu), characterized as salty, sweet, and neutral. It targets the Spleen, Heart, and Liver, making it effective in treating Blood Stagnation.
These herbs are chosen based on their properties to activate Blood circulation, alleviate pain, and reduce swelling, thereby addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes of contusions blood stasis. The selection of specific herbs is tailored to the individual's unique pattern of imbalance in TCM practice.
Contusions blood statis can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Sappan Woods (Su Mu), which is directly recommended for contusions blood statis.