Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Myofascial Pain Syndrome · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in myofascial pain syndrome, characterized by chronic fatigue with pain, weakness, and poor recovery. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish the muscles, leading to muscle weakness, chronic pain, and impaired recovery.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Chronic muscle pain, fatigue, weakness, 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 muscles |

| Etiology | Chronic illness, poor nutrition, overwork |

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 |

| BL20 Pishu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 | Back-Shu point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen Qi |

| Ashi points | Tender spots throughout the body | Local blood invigoration and pain relief |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Pishu 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 fatigue | 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 fatigue with pain, reduced energy metabolism, impaired muscle recovery, and immune dysfunction. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to myofascial pain syndrome with significant fatigue, where impaired mitochondrial function and reduced tissue perfusion contribute to symptoms.

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 muscle pain relief.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM myofascial pain management.