Neck Pain - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Neck Pain · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Neck

Pattern Overview

Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in neck pain, characterized by chronic dizziness with neck pain, dull pain, fatigue, and poor concentration. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish the cervical spine and brain, leading to chronic pain, dizziness, and fatigue.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Dull neck pain, fatigue, dizziness, poor concentration |

| Associated Symptoms | Pale complexion, shortness of breath, palpitations, poor sleep |

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

| Pathogenesis | Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the cervical spine and brain |

| Etiology | Chronic illness, overwork, poor nutrition |

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 |

| GB20 Fengchi | Depression below the occipital bone | Clears the head and treats neck pain |

| BL10 Tianzhu | 1.3 cun lateral to GB20, in the neck | Unblocks the Bladder meridian; treats neck pain |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli 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 |

| Dizziness | Add Tian Ma, Gou Teng to calm Liver Wind |

| Poor sleep | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |

| Neck pain | Add Ge Gen, Gui Zhi to relax sinews and unblock collaterals |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic dizziness with neck pain, reduced cerebral perfusion, and impaired tissue nourishment. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to cervical spondylosis with chronic fatigue and cognitive symptoms, where inadequate blood supply to the brain contributes to dizziness and poor concentration.

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 neck pain relief.

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