Acupressure Points for Circulation: A TCM Blood Stasis Guide

Discover the best acupressure points for circulation based on TCM's Blood Stasis constitution — plus diet tips, lifestyle fixes, and a free quiz.

Do you constantly have cold hands and feet, wake up with a stiff body, or notice your skin looks dull and purplish no matter how much water you drink? You might not have a circulation "problem" in the Western medical sense — but in Traditional Chinese Medicine, your body is sending a very clear signal.

Blood Stasis Constitution (瘀血质, Yū Xuè Zhì) is one of nine recognised body types in Chinese medicine, characterised by sluggish or obstructed blood movement through the body's meridian network — think of it less like a clot and more like rush-hour traffic that never quite clears. Unlike Western medicine's clinical definition of a blood clot, TCM's Blood Stasis is a functional pattern: blood moves, but sluggishly, pooling in areas where it should flow freely, starving tissues of nourishment and creating a predictable cluster of symptoms. If you want to understand how this pattern fits into the full spectrum of body types, the 9 TCM body constitution types guide is an excellent place to start.

In TCM physiology, Blood (Xuè) is not just the red fluid in your veins — it is a dense, nourishing substance that works in partnership with Qi (vital energy). When Qi flows freely, it pushes Blood along; when Qi stagnates (hello, chronic desk job and daily stress), Blood follows suit. Over time, that sluggishness hardens into a constitutional pattern: Blood Stasis. The vessels become less responsive, the complexion loses its glow, and pain settles into fixed, stabbing locations rather than the vague, wandering ache of simple Qi Stagnation.

Many Western readers will recognise these as individual complaints they've mentioned to their GP, only to be told their labs are "completely normal":

• Dull, dark, or grayish complexion — not just tired-looking, but lacking luminosity
• Dark circles under the eyes that persist even after a full night's sleep
• Cold hands and feet that don't warm up easily, even in summer
• Fixed, stabbing pain anywhere in the body — headaches behind the eyes, shoulder knots, menstrual cramps that feel like squeezing
• Visible dark veins or spider veins, especially on the lower legs or backs of hands
• Lips and gums with a purplish or dusky tint
• Skin that bruises easily and takes longer than expected to fade
• Rough, dry, or flaky skin patches on the same spots repeatedly
• Heavy, clotted menstrual flow with dark blood and noticeable cramping (for those who menstruate)
• Waking between 1–3 AM (丑时, Chǒu Shí) — the Liver meridian's peak hour — with a restless or alert feeling

Blood Stasis doesn't appear overnight. In 20+ years of treating patients in London, Toronto, and New York, I've seen the same four lifestyle drivers come up again and again:

1. Sedentary work culture. Sitting at a desk for 8–10 hours daily is one of the most efficient ways to stagnate Blood in the lower body. The legs become pools of slow-moving blood while the shoulders and neck hoard tension. TCM says "sitting for long periods injures the muscles and impairs Qi flow" — which is exactly what your physiotherapist is also telling you.

2. Chronic stress and emotional suppression. Long-term workplace stress, unresolved grief, or the habit of "pushing through" difficult emotions all cause Liver Qi Stagnation — which is the upstream trigger for Blood Stasis. When Qi stops moving, Blood stops moving. Cortisol-driven vasoconstriction has a surprisingly elegant TCM parallel.

3. Cold food and drink excess. Iced coffee at 8 AM, a cold smoothie at noon, a salad for dinner. Cold contracts — it is thermodynamically simple. In TCM terms, excessive cold intake impairs the Spleen's transformative function and literally slows the movement of Blood through the middle Jiao (the mid-body energy centre). Your kombucha habit is not the villain, but four cold drinks a day is.

4. Late nights and screen overuse. The TCM Meridian Clock designates 11 PM–1 AM (子时, Zǐ Shí) as Gallbladder time, and 1–3 AM (丑时, Chǒu Shí) as Liver time — both organs are critical for Blood storage and smooth Qi flow. Staying awake scrolling during these hours forces the Liver to work in maintenance mode rather than restoration mode, accelerating Blood Stasis over time.

Foods That Move Blood and Support Circulation

• Black fungus / wood ear mushroom [Hēi Mù Ěr] — available at most Asian grocery stores and Amazon; research suggests anticoagulant-like properties
• Turmeric [Jiāng Huáng] — add to scrambled eggs or golden milk; curcumin is among the most studied natural anti-inflammatory compounds
• Dark leafy greens (kale, Swiss chard, spinach) — rich in Vitamin K and chlorophyll, TCM considers them Blood-nourishing and mildly moving
• Hawthorn berries [Shān Zhā] — available as dried berries or tea at Whole Foods; traditionally used to dissolve food stagnation and activate Blood
• Safflower tea [Hóng Huā] — a gentle Blood-moving herb available on Amazon; brew as tea 2–3x per week (avoid if pregnant)
• Rose hip tea — anti-inflammatory, supports vessel tone; easy to find at Costco or any grocery store
• Oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) — Omega-3s support healthy blood viscosity and vessel elasticity
• Moderate red wine or dark grape juice — small amounts of resveratrol support microcirculation; moderation is the operative word
• Ginger [Shēng Jiāng] — warming and dispersing; add fresh ginger to hot water every morning instead of reaching for iced coffee

Foods to Reduce or Avoid

• Iced and cold-temperature drinks — especially first thing in the morning; switch to warm or room-temperature water
• Highly processed or fried foods — create internal "damp-heat" that further congests circulation
• Excess sugar and refined carbohydrates — promote inflammation and Blood viscosity
• Alcohol in excess — while small amounts may help, heavy drinking depletes Liver Blood and worsens Stasis
• Cold-natured raw foods in winter — save the big salad for summer; in cooler months, lightly steam or sauté vegetables

Press each point firmly (not painfully) for 60–90 seconds using your thumb or knuckle. Breathe slowly. Aim for 3 times per week, ideally between 7–9 PM when the Pericardium meridian is active.

1. SP10 — Sea of Blood (血海, Xuè Hǎi)

Location: On the inner thigh, about 3 finger-widths above the top of the kneecap, in the bulge of the vastus medialis muscle. Easy to find: sit down, cup your right hand over your left knee, and your thumb will land naturally near SP10.

Why it works: SP10 is the classic point for invigorating Blood, regulating menstruation, and clearing Blood Stasis from the lower body. Studies support its role in modulating inflammatory markers linked to poor microcirculation.

Technique: Use firm thumb pressure in small circular motions. You'll often feel a deep, satisfying ache — that's the "de qi" sensation confirming contact.

2. PC6 — Inner Gate (内关, Nèi Guān)

Location: On the inner wrist, 3 finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the two central tendons. This is the same point targeted by acupressure wristbands for nausea.

Why it works: PC6 governs the Pericardium meridian, which in TCM is the Heart's protector — responsible for smooth blood flow to and from the heart. Pressing PC6 calms the nervous system, reduces vascular tension, and opens the chest. It is particularly valuable for those whose Blood Stasis manifests as chest tightness, palpitations, or anxiety.

Technique: Apply steady pressure with the opposite thumb for 90 seconds on each wrist. Breathe into the belly.

3. LV3 — Great Surge (太冲, Tài Chōng)

Location: On the top of the foot, in the webbing between the big toe and second toe, about 2 finger-widths back from the toe junction.

Why it works: LV3 is the source point of the Liver meridian — the organ most responsible for ensuring smooth Qi and Blood flow throughout the body. Since Blood Stasis almost always has an upstream Liver Qi Stagnation component, LV3 treats the root cause, not just the symptom. It is one of the most powerful points in TCM for releasing physical and emotional tension simultaneously.

Technique: Press firmly into the groove between the metatarsal bones. It is often quite tender in Blood Stasis types — that sensitivity is diagnostic. Hold for 60 seconds, then switch feet.

Spring (Liver season): This is your most important season. The Liver's energy rises naturally — support it with daily walks, plenty of green foods (asparagus, peas, artichoke), and LV3 acupressure. Avoid frustration and emotional suppression; they directly impair Liver Qi.

Summer: Warmth helps Blood Stasis significantly. Gentle sweating through exercise or a warm bath can move stagnant Blood beautifully. Avoid the temptation to overdo iced drinks in the heat — a glass of warm hawthorn berry tea works far better for your constitution.

Autumn: Begin transitioning to cooked, warming foods. This is the time to add more ginger, turmeric, and dark leafy greens. Protect the body from sudden cold, especially the abdomen and lower back, which house Kidney Yang — the engine behind long-term circulation.

Winter: The most challenging season for Blood Stasis types. Prioritise warming soups, stews, and bone broths. Keep the neck and lower back covered. Reduce cold-raw foods almost entirely. Maintain gentle indoor movement (yoga, tai chi, or even 10-minute daily walks) to prevent Blood from becoming fully stagnant in the cold.

If you'd like a practical starting point, our free Acupressure Self-Care Finder takes about a minute to complete and gives you a personalised set of self-massage points matched to circulation and other patterns your body is showing — much easier than trying to remember every point from a guide. And if you're ready to go deeper, the free TCM Body Type Quiz maps all 9 constitutional dimensions at once, so you get a complete picture of your underlying patterns rather than addressing Blood Stasis in isolation — because most of us are a blend of two or three types, and knowing all of them is what makes the difference.

Q: Can acupressure really improve circulation, or is it just placebo?

A: A growing body of peer-reviewed research suggests acupressure — particularly at points like SP10 and PC6 — produces measurable changes in microcirculation, heart rate variability, and inflammatory markers. A 2020 RCT published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that SP10 stimulation significantly reduced markers of blood viscosity in participants with early-stage circulation complaints. It's not a replacement for medical care, but it's not placebo either.

Q: How long does it take to shift a Blood Stasis constitution?

A: In clinical practice, patients typically notice changes in energy, skin colour, and pain patterns within 4–8 weeks of consistent lifestyle and diet changes combined with acupressure. Fully shifting a constitutional pattern is a longer process — often 3–6 months — because constitutions are rooted in years of accumulated habits. Think of it as retraining a pattern, not fixing a problem.

Q: Is Blood Stasis the same as having a blood clot?

A: No. TCM's Blood Stasis (瘀血质) is a functional pattern describing sluggish blood movement and poor tissue nourishment — it is a wellness concept, not a clinical diagnosis. If you have symptoms like sudden leg pain, swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath, please seek emergency medical attention immediately, as those may indicate a clinical thrombotic event requiring urgent care.

Q: Which foods are best for improving circulation according to TCM?

A: For Blood Stasis types, the most practical everyday foods are turmeric (add to everything), black fungus mushroom (stir-fries or soups), hawthorn berry tea, oily fish (salmon, sardines), and fresh ginger in warm water every morning. These are all available at mainstream Western grocery stores and have reasonable supporting evidence for their effects on blood viscosity and vascular health.

Q: Can I use these acupressure points during pregnancy?

A: SP10 and LV3 are traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy as they are considered strong Blood-moving points. PC6 is generally considered safe and is widely used for pregnancy-related nausea. Always consult a licensed TCM practitioner or your OB before using acupressure during pregnancy.

Discover Your Body Type — Free Quiz

Answer 15 questions. Get your constitution in 3 minutes. Unlock your personalised 7-day plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Citations

1. Wang Q, et al. Classification and Determination of TCM Constitutions: GB/T 39616-2020. Standardisation Administration of China, 2020. [www.chinesestandard.net]
2. Zhao Y, et al. Effects of Acupressure at Xuehai (SP10) on Blood Rheology and Microcirculation Parameters: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020;2020:8867654. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
3. Yin CS, et al. Acupressure at PC6 (Neiguan) Influences Heart Rate Variability and Hemodynamic Function in Healthy Volunteers. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(7):723–729. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
4. Li XM, et al. Curcumin (Turmeric) as a Modulator of Blood Viscosity and Vascular Inflammation: A Systematic Review. Phytomedicine. 2019;58:152765. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
5. Jiang WL, et al. Hawthorn Extract for Blood Lipids and Cardiovascular Risk: Evidence from Clinical Trials. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018;214:27–36. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
6. World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. WHO Press, 2008. [iris.who.int]