Coccyx Pain - Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Coccyx Pain · Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Lower Back

Pattern Overview

Kidney Yang Deficiency is a chronic cold-type pattern in coccyx pain, characterized by chronic cold-type coccydynia, cold pain, weakness, and aggravation in cold weather. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Kidney Yang failing to warm the coccygeal region, leading to chronic pain, cold sensitivity, and impaired healing.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Cold pain at the coccyx, worse in cold weather, relief with warmth |

| Associated Symptoms | Weakness in the lower back and knees, frequent urination, fatigue |

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

| Pathogenesis | Kidney Yang deficiency failing to warm the coccygeal region |

| Etiology | Aging, chronic illness, overwork, postpartum weakness |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| DU4 Mingmen | On the midline, between L2 and L3 spinous processes | Warms Kidney Yang; treats chronic coccyx pain |

| BL23 Shenshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Tonifies Kidney Qi and Yang |

| DU20 Baihui | On the midline of the head, 5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline | Lifts Yang; treats fatigue and dizziness |

| BL32 Ciliao | In the second sacral foramen | Treats lower back and sacral pain |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion is strongly recommended to warm Kidney Yang and disperse cold.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (金匮肾气丸)

Composition:

Aconite (Fu Zi), Cinnamon (Rou Gui), Rehmannia (Shu Di), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Poria (Fu Ling), Moutan (Mu Dan Pi), Alisma (Ze Xie)

Action: Warms Kidney Yang, tonifies Kidney Qi, and strengthens the lower back.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

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

| Severe cold pain | Add Ba Ji Tian, Yin Yang Huo to warm Yang |

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

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic cold-type coccydynia with reduced local blood flow, impaired tissue repair, and cold sensitivity. Kidney Yang Deficiency corresponds to chronic coccyx pain with poor healing capacity, often seen in elderly patients or those with endocrine dysfunction.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Musculoskeletal pain. World Health Organization.

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