Rib Pain - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Rib Pain · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Chest

Pattern Overview

Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in rib pain, characterized by chronic costochondritis, dull ache, weakness, and fatigue. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish the chest and rib area, leading to chronic costochondritis, weakness, and impaired healing.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Dull aching pain in the rib area, weakness, fatigue |

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

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

| Pathogenesis | Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the chest and rib area |

| Etiology | Chronic illness, poor nutrition, prolonged chest pain |

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 |

| BL18 Ganshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T9 | Back-Shu point of Liver meridian; nourishes Liver Blood |

| LR3 Taichong | Dorsum of the foot, between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals | Soothes Liver Qi and regulates Qi flow |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Ganshu 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 costochondritis with reduced tissue repair, impaired immune function, and nutritional deficiency. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to chronic costochondritis with poor healing capacity, where inadequate nutrient supply and reduced immune function contribute to persistent pain.

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 chest pain relief.

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