Chronic Prostatitis - Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Chronic Prostatitis · Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Pelvis

Pattern Overview

Spleen Deficiency with Dampness is a chronic pattern in chronic prostatitis, characterized by chronic inflammation with immune dysfunction, fatigue, perineal heaviness, poor appetite, and loose stools. The core pathogenesis is Spleen deficiency causing Dampness accumulation, leading to chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and prostate symptoms.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Chronic prostatitis, fatigue, perineal heaviness, poor appetite |

| Associated Symptoms | Loose stools, bloating, heavy sensation, sticky mouth |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale and swollen tongue with white greasy coating, soft and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Spleen deficiency with Dampness accumulation |

| Etiology | Poor diet, overwork, chronic illness, constitutional Spleen 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 |

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

| Yinlingquan (SP9) | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and promotes diuresis |

| Zhongji (RN3) | 4 cun below the umbilicus | Front-Mu point of Bladder meridian; regulates urination |

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

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (参苓白术散) + Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin (萆薢分清饮)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Hyacinth Bean (Bian Dou), Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren), Dioscorea Hypoglauca (Bi Xie), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Strengthens Spleen, drains Dampness, and reduces chronic inflammation.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Perineal heaviness | Add Bi Xie, Yi Yi Ren to drain Dampness |

| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |

| Poor appetite | Add Sha Ren, Mu Xiang to harmonize the Stomach |

| Loose stools | Add Shan Yao, Yi Yi Ren to strengthen Spleen and stop diarrhea |

| Chronic inflammation | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to strengthen immune function |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic inflammation with immune dysfunction, impaired cellular immunity, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Spleen Deficiency with Dampness corresponds to chronic prostatitis with immune dysfunction, where impaired cellular immunity and chronic low-grade inflammation contribute to persistent prostate symptoms.

References

  1. Surgery of TCM - Chronic Prostatitis with Spleen Deficiency with Dampness.

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

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