Coccyx Pain - Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Coccyx Pain · Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Lower Back

Pattern Overview

Liver-Kidney Deficiency is a chronic degenerative pattern in coccyx pain, characterized by degenerative changes, chronic ache, weakness, and aggravation with overwork. The core pathogenesis is insufficient nourishment of the coccygeal bones and ligaments by Liver Blood and Kidney Essence, leading to degenerative changes and chronic pain.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Chronic aching pain at the coccyx, weakness, worse with overwork |

| Associated Symptoms | Soreness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, fatigue |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale red tongue with little coating, thready and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Liver-Kidney deficiency failing to nourish the coccygeal region |

| Etiology | Aging, chronic illness, postpartum weakness |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

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

| KI3 Taixi | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |

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

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Shenshu and Mingmen to warm and tonify.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Zuo Gui Wan (左归丸)

Composition:

Rehmannia (Shu Di), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Goji Berry (Gou Qi), Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi), Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao), Tortoise Shell Glue (Gui Ban), Achyranthes (Niu Xi)

Action: Tonifies Kidney Yin, nourishes Liver Blood, strengthens bones and tendons.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe back and knee soreness | Add Du Zhong, Xu Duan to strengthen the lower back |

| Fatigue and weakness | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi |

| Cold intolerance | Add Rou Gui, Fu Zi to warm Yang |

Western Mechanism Reference

Degenerative changes with reduced bone density, ligament laxity, and impaired tissue repair. Liver-Kidney Deficiency corresponds to age-related coccyx degeneration, where reduced bone density and ligament laxity contribute to chronic pain.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

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

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