Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Spleen-Kidney Qi Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia · Spleen-Kidney Qi Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Pelvis

Pattern Overview

Spleen-Kidney Qi Deficiency is a chronic pattern in benign prostatic hyperplasia, characterized by detrusor weakness with incomplete emptying, fatigue, weak voiding, frequent urination, and post-void dribbling. The core pathogenesis is Spleen-Kidney Qi deficiency failing to support bladder function, leading to reduced detrusor contractility, incomplete emptying, and urinary retention.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Weak voiding, incomplete emptying, post-void dribbling, frequent urination |

| Associated Symptoms | Fatigue, pale complexion, cold limbs, low back soreness |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale and swollen tongue with thin white coating, deep and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Spleen-Kidney Qi deficiency with reduced detrusor contractility |

| Etiology | Aging, chronic illness, overwork, constitutional Spleen-Kidney deficiency |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Pishu (BL20) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 | Back-Shu point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen-Qi |

| Shenshu (BL23) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Back-Shu point of Kidney meridian; tonifies Kidney-Qi |

| Qihai (RN6) | 1.5 cun below the umbilicus | Tonifies Qi and strengthens the lower abdomen |

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied at Pishu and Qihai to warm and tonify Qi.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (补中益气汤) + Suo Quan Wan (缩泉丸)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Angelica (Dang Gui), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), Cimicifuga (Sheng Ma), Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Yam (Shan Yao), Alpinia (Yi Zhi Ren), Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Supplements Spleen-Kidney Qi, lifts Yang, and strengthens bladder function.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Incomplete emptying | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to enhance Qi supplementation |

| Frequent urination | Add Yi Zhi Ren, Sang Piao Xiao to astringe the Kidneys |

| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |

| Low back soreness | Add Du Zhong, Xu Duan to strengthen the lower back |

| Post-void dribbling | Add Yi Zhi Ren, Wu Wei Zi to astringe and consolidate |

Western Mechanism Reference

Detrusor weakness with incomplete emptying, reduced bladder contractility, and impaired sphincter coordination. Spleen-Kidney Qi Deficiency corresponds to BPH with bladder dysfunction, where reduced detrusor contractility and impaired sphincter coordination contribute to incomplete emptying and post-void dribbling.

References

  1. Surgery of TCM - BPH with Spleen-Kidney Qi Deficiency.

  2. Xiong Jibai: Qi Deficiency uses Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang.

  3. WHO. (2023). Urological health. World Health Organization.

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