Golfer's Elbow - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Golfer’s Elbow · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Arm

Pattern Overview

Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in golfer’s elbow, characterized by chronic tendinopathy, dull pain, weakness, and poor recovery. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish the elbow tendons, leading to chronic degeneration, weakness, and impaired healing.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Dull pain on the medial elbow, weakness, poor recovery |

| Associated Symptoms | Fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath, poor sleep |

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

| Pathogenesis | Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the tendons |

| Etiology | Chronic illness, poor nutrition, prolonged overuse |

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 |

| LI11 Quchi | Lateral end of the elbow crease | He-Sea point of Large Intestine meridian; regulates Qi and Blood |

| LI10 Shousanli | 2 cun below LI11, on the forearm | Supports LI11; treats elbow pain |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao to warm and tonify Qi and Blood.

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)

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 tendinopathy with reduced collagen synthesis, impaired tendon repair, and weakness. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to chronic golfer’s elbow with poor healing capacity, where inadequate nutrient supply to the tendon impairs tissue repair.

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 elbow pain relief.

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