Post-Herpetic Neuralgia - Kidney Yin Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Post-Herpetic Neuralgia · Kidney Yin Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Kidney Yin Deficiency is a chronic pattern in post-herpetic neuralgia, characterized by burning pain with night worsening, dryness, night sweats, and restlessness. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Kidney Yin failing to nourish the nerves, leading to deficiency heat, nerve sensitization, and persistent burning pain.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Burning pain, worse at night, dryness, restlessness |

| Associated Symptoms | Night sweats, heat in palms and soles, dry mouth and throat, dizziness, tinnitus |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with little coating, thready and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Kidney Yin deficiency with deficiency heat, failing to nourish the nerves |

| Etiology | Chronic illness, aging, prolonged nerve damage, consumption of Yin |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

| KI6 Zhaohai | 1 cun below the medial malleolus | Nourishes Yin and clears deficiency heat |

| BL23 Shenshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Back-Shu point of Kidney meridian; tonifies Kidney Qi and Yin |

| Ashi points | Tender spots in the affected dermatome | Local pain relief and nerve nourishment |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; Taixi and Zhaohai may be needled with reinforcing method to enhance Yin nourishment.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Zuo Gui Wan (左归丸)

Composition:

Rehmannia (Shu Di), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Goji Berry (Gou Qi), Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi), Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao), Tortoise Shell Glue (Gui Ban), Achyranthes (Niu Xi)

Action: Tonifies Kidney Yin, nourishes Liver Blood, strengthens nerves and tendons.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe burning pain | Add Zhi Mu, Huang Bai to clear deficiency heat |

| Night sweats | Add Mu Li, Fu Xiao Mai to stabilize the exterior and stop sweating |

| Dry mouth and throat | Add Mai Dong, Xuan Shen to nourish Yin and moisten dryness |

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

Western Mechanism Reference

Burning pain with night worsening, neuropathic sensitization, and impaired nerve repair with Yin deficiency. Kidney Yin Deficiency corresponds to post-herpetic neuralgia with prominent burning pain and sensitization, where reduced neurotrophic support and enhanced TRPV1 sensitization contribute to burning pain and allodynia.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Post-herpetic neuralgia fact sheet. World Health Organization.

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