Hematochezia can be divided into deficient and excessive types.  Hematochezia of the deficient type is caused by spleen qi deficiency  and the failure of spleen qi in controlling blood. The main manifestations are stool tinged with dark black blood, discharge of stool prior to a discharge of blood, lassitude, sallow complexion, emaciation, pale tongue, thready and weak pulse. The treatment principle is to strengthen spleen to control blood. Moxibustion should be applied on Guanyuan(Ren 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Pishu(BL20), Zhangman (LR 13), Geshu (BL17) and Taibai (SP3). The excessive type of the hematochezia is due to the downward flow of damp heat to the large intestine causing blood extravasations. The main manifestations are stool tinged with fresh blood, discharge of blood prior to a discharge of stool, abdominal pain, fever, yellow sticky tongue coating, and a rolling, rapid pulse. The treatment principle is to clear the heat, resolve dampness and stop the hemorrhage. When acupuncture treatment is performed, the reducing needling technique should be used on Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST39), Neiting (ST44), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Dachangshu (BL25) and Tianshu (ST25). Those modern medical diseases like tumor or polyps in the duodenum and rectum, ulceration in the digestive tract, acute hemorrhagic necrotic enteritis and aplastic anemia all have manifestation of hematochezia.

The hematochezia caused by hemorrhoid and anal fissure does not belong to that discussed in this section.