Knee Pain - Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Knee Pain · Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Knee

Pattern Overview

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

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Chronic aching pain in the knee, 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 knee joint |

| Etiology | Aging, chronic overuse, constitutional weakness |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

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

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

| GB39 Xuanzhong | 3 cun above the lateral malleolus | Benefits the marrow; strengthens bones and tendons |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Shenshu and Taixi 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 joint degeneration | Add Du Zhong, Xu Duan to strengthen bones |

| 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 cartilage erosion, subchondral bone sclerosis, and reduced joint function. Liver-Kidney Deficiency corresponds to knee osteoarthritis, where progressive cartilage loss leads to joint space narrowing and pain.

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 knee pain relief.

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