Knee Pain - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Knee Pain · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Knee

Pattern Overview

Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in knee pain, characterized by chronic weakness, dull pain, fatigue, and poor recovery. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish the knee joint and muscles, leading to weakness, chronic pain, and impaired function.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Dull pain in the knee, weakness, fatigue, poor recovery |

| 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 knee |

| Etiology | Chronic illness, poor nutrition, prolonged knee pain |

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 |

| ST35 Dubi | In the two hollows beside the patella | Local points that reduce knee pain and swelling |

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

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 weakness with reduced muscle strength, impaired tissue repair, and nutritional deficiency. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to chronic knee pain with significant functional impairment, often seen in elderly patients or those with poor nutrition.

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.