Sacroiliac Joint Pain - Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Sacroiliac Joint Pain · Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 6 min

Body Area: Lower Back

Pattern Overview

Kidney Yang Deficiency is a chronic cold-type pattern in sacroiliac joint pain, characterized by chronic cold-type SI pain, cold pain, weakness, and frequent urination. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Kidney Yang failing to warm the sacroiliac region, leading to chronic cold pain, ligament laxity, and joint instability.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Cold pain and soreness in the sacroiliac region, cold intolerance, weakness |

| Associated Symptoms | Frequent urination, fatigue, pale complexion, cold extremities |

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

| Pathogenesis | Kidney Yang deficiency failing to warm the sacroiliac region |

| Etiology | Aging, postpartum weakness, chronic illness, overwork |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| BL23 Shenshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Warms Kidney Yang, strengthens the lower back and SI joint |

| DU4 Mingmen | On the midline, between L2 and L3 spinous processes | Warms Yang and disperses Cold, unblocks collaterals and stops pain |

| RN4 Guanyuan | 3 cun below the umbilicus | Warms Yang and supplements Qi, strengthens the body’s foundation |

| BL32 Ciliao | In the second sacral foramen | Treats lower back and sacral pain |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; heavy 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 SI joint.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

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

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

| Ligament laxity | Add Sang Ji Sheng, Wu Jia Pi to strengthen sinews and bones |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic cold-type SI pain with reduced local blood flow, impaired tissue repair, and ligament laxity. Kidney Yang Deficiency corresponds to chronic sacroiliac dysfunction, where reduced adrenal function and impaired tissue repair contribute to ligament laxity and pain.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Musculoskeletal pain. World Health Organization.

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