Easy Bruising or Heavy Periods? It Could Be "Spleen Not Controlling Blood."

What is "Spleen Not Controlling Blood"?

We've discussed how your Spleen system is your body's "engine room," responsible for creating the energy (Qi) you need to thrive. Another one of its crucial, but lesser-known, jobs is to govern the Blood.

This means that a healthy, strong Spleen Qi is responsible for keeping the Blood flowing properly within the blood vessels. Think of your Spleen Qi as the "banks of a river." When the banks are strong, the river (your Blood) flows smoothly within its designated course.

"Spleen Not Controlling Blood" is what happens when the Spleen Qi becomes so deficient that the "riverbanks" weaken and crumble. When this happens, the Blood can "leak" out of its proper channels, resulting in various types of hemorrhaging or bleeding.

This is a pattern of deficiency, not excess. The bleeding is not caused by forceful heat or trauma, but by a profound weakness and inability to "hold" or "contain."

The hallmark of this pattern is bleeding that is often chronic and pale in colour, alongside the general symptoms of Spleen Qi Deficiency. You might experience:

  • Bleeding Issues:
    • Bruising easily from minor bumps.
    • Blood spots under the skin (purpura).
    • Heavy menstrual periods with pale, watery blood, or periods that are too long.
    • Bleeding between periods (metrorrhagia).
    • Chronic, gentle bleeding from the gums, nose, or in the stool/urine.
  • Underlying Spleen Qi Deficiency Symptoms:
    • Chronic fatigue and weakness.
    • A pale, sallow complexion.
    • Poor appetite and bloating after meals.
    • A tendency towards loose stools.

Your acupressure treatment was designed to urgently strengthen your Spleen Qi to help it regain its vital function of holding and governing the Blood.

Lifestyle Advice: Strengthen the Banks, Contain the Flow

Your entire focus must be on deeply nourishing and strengthening your Spleen Qi.

1. A Strengthening Diet is Your First Priority:
You must provide your body with the easiest-to-digest, most nourishing foods possible.

  • The Golden Rule: Eat WARM, COOKED foods. Soups, stews, porridges, and well-cooked vegetables save your Spleen from having to work hard.
  • AVOID cold, raw foods and iced drinks. These further weaken the Spleen's energy.
  • Focus on Spleen-Strengthening & Blood-Nourishing Foods:
    • Grains: Rice, oats, millet.
    • Legumes: Lentils, aduki beans.
    • Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, beetroot.
    • Fruits: Dates and longan fruit are traditionally used for this pattern.
    • Protein: Small amounts of chicken or beef.

2. Rest is Non-Negotiable:
You cannot rebuild your core energy while you are constantly depleting it.

  • Avoid Overwork: Both physical and mental strain will drain your Spleen Qi further.
  • Prioritize Sleep: This is when your body does its deepest repair work.
  • Rest Your Mind: Chronic worry is the emotion that most damages the Spleen. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or journaling to help quiet a busy mind.

3. Acupressure at Home:
This combination is specifically chosen to strengthen the Spleen and stop bleeding.

  • Spleen 1 (Yinbai - "Hidden White"): This is the primary empirical point for stopping bleeding caused by Spleen deficiency.
    • Location: On the inner corner of the base of your big toenail.
    • How to: Apply firm pressure with a fingernail or the cap of a pen for 1-2 minutes. It can be quite sensitive. This point has a powerful astringent effect.
  • Spleen 10 (Xuehai - "Sea of Blood"): A master point for all blood-related issues, helping to regulate and harmonize its function.
    • Location: On your inner thigh. Bend your knee, place your opposite palm over your kneecap, and where your thumb naturally lands on the inner thigh muscle is the point.
  • Stomach 36 (Zusanli): The master point for building the Qi your Spleen needs to regain its controlling function.
    • Location: On the outside of your lower leg, four of your own finger-widths down from the bottom of your kneecap, one finger-width out from the crest of your shin bone.

By diligently nourishing your system and allowing it to rest, you can rebuild the strength of your "riverbanks," restoring your body's natural ability to contain and govern its precious Blood.