Peripheral Neuropathy - Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Peripheral Neuropathy · Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Kidney Yang Deficiency is a cold-type pattern in peripheral neuropathy, characterized by cold-type neuropathy, cold pain, weakness, and cold intolerance. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Kidney Yang failing to warm the peripheral nerves, leading to cold pain, weakness, and impaired nerve repair.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Cold pain and numbness in hands and feet, cold intolerance, weakness |

| Associated Symptoms | Frequent urination, 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 peripheral nerves |

| Etiology | Diabetes, aging, chronic illness, prolonged cold exposure |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| DU4 Mingmen | On the midline, between L2 and L3 spinous processes | Warms Kidney Yang and strengthens the body |

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

| RN4 Guanyuan | 3 cun below the umbilicus | Warms Yang and supplements Qi |

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

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion is strongly recommended to warm Kidney Yang.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (金匮肾气丸)

Composition:

Aconite (Fu Zi), Cinnamon (Rou Gui), Rehmannia (Shu Di), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Poria (Fu Ling), Moutan (Mu Dan Pi), Alisma (Ze Xie)

Action: Warms Kidney Yang, tonifies Kidney Qi, and strengthens the body.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

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

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

| Cold limbs | Add Gui Zhi, Sheng Jiang to warm the meridians |

Western Mechanism Reference

Cold-type neuropathy with reduced peripheral perfusion, impaired nerve repair, and cold sensitivity. Kidney Yang Deficiency corresponds to peripheral neuropathy with prominent cold symptoms and reduced peripheral perfusion, where impaired blood flow to the nerves contributes to cold pain and numbness.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. World Health Organization.

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