Lumbar Disc Herniation - Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Lumbar Disc Herniation · Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Lower Back

Pattern Overview

Kidney Yang Deficiency is a severe deficiency pattern in lumbar disc herniation, characterized by chronic cold-type back pain, cold intolerance, weakness, frequent urination, and mental fatigue. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Kidney Yang failing to warm the lumbar spine, leading to chronic pain, weakness, and impaired healing.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Chronic cold pain in the lower back, cold intolerance, weakness |

| Associated Symptoms | Frequent urination, mental fatigue, cold extremities, pale complexion |

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

| Pathogenesis | Kidney Yang deficiency failing to warm the lumbar spine |

| Etiology | Aging, chronic illness, overwork, Kidney Yang depletion |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| BL23 Shenshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Warms Kidney Yang, disperses Cold, and unblocks collaterals |

| DU4 Mingmen | On the midline, between L2 and L3 spinous processes | Warms Yang and disperses Cold, unblocks collaterals and stops pain |

| RN4 Guanyuan | 3 cun below the umbilicus | Warms Yang and supplements Qi, strengthens the body’s foundation |

| KI3 Taixi | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Nourishes Kidney Yin, seeking Yang from Yin |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; heavy moxibustion is strongly recommended to warm Kidney Yang. Combine with local heat application and herbal steam therapy to support Yang recovery.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: You Gui Wan (右归丸)

Composition:

Rehmannia (Shu Di), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Goji Berry (Gou Qi), Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi), Eucommia (Du Zhong), Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao), Cinnamon (Rou Gui), Aconite (Fu Zi), Angelica (Dang Gui)

Action: Warms Kidney Yang, tonifies Kidney Qi, strengthens the spine, and unblocks collaterals.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Frequent urination | Add Yi Zhi Ren, Sang Piao Xiao to astringe the Kidneys and reduce urination |

| Severe cold intolerance | Add Ba Ji Tian, Yin Yang Huo to warm Yang |

| Lower back and knee soreness | Add Xu Duan, Gou Ji to supplement the Kidneys and strengthen the lower back |

| Cold lower limbs and numbness | Add Gui Zhi, Ji Xue Teng to warm the meridians and unblock collaterals |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic cold-type back pain with adrenal insufficiency, reduced metabolic rate, and impaired tissue repair. Kidney Yang Deficiency corresponds to chronic lumbar disc herniation in elderly patients, where reduced adrenal function and impaired tissue repair capacity contribute to persistent pain and poor healing.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Low back pain and disc disorders. World Health Organization.

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