Frozen Shoulder - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Frozen Shoulder · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Shoulder

Pattern Overview

Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in frozen shoulder, characterized by chronic stage with weakness, dull pain, muscle atrophy, and fatigue. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish the shoulder muscles and tendons, leading to muscle atrophy, weakness, and impaired recovery.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Dull shoulder pain, weakness, muscle atrophy, fatigue |

| Associated Symptoms | Pale complexion, shortness of breath, poor sleep, cold limbs |

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

| Pathogenesis | Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the shoulder muscles |

| Etiology | Prolonged illness, poor nutrition, chronic stage of frozen shoulder |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

| SP6 Sanyinjiao | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Nourishes Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |

| LI15 Jianyu | On the shoulder, in the depression between the acromion and the greater tubercle | Key point for shoulder pain; unblocks the shoulder meridian |

| GB34 Yanglingquan | Depression below the head of the fibula | Master point for tendons; strengthens muscles |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao to warm and tonify Qi and Blood. Combine with gentle passive shoulder exercises.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Ba Zhen Tang (八珍汤)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), Licorice (Gan Cao), Angelica (Dang Gui), Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), White Peony (Bai Shao), Rehmannia (Shu Di), Huang Qi

Action: Supplements Qi and Blood, strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe weakness | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |

| Poor sleep | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |

| Cold limbs | Add Gui Zhi, Sheng Jiang to warm the meridians |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic stage with muscle atrophy, reduced muscle strength, and impaired tissue repair. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to the thawing stage of frozen shoulder, where prolonged immobility leads to muscle atrophy and weakness.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

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

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for shoulder pain relief.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM shoulder health.