Golfer's Elbow - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for golfer's elbow with
Golfer's Elbow · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 6 min
Body Area: Arm
Pattern Overview
Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in golfer's elbow,
characterized by **chronic tendinopathy, dull pain, weakness, and poor
recovery. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood to
nourish the elbow tendons**, leading to chronic degeneration, weakness,
and impaired healing.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
recovery |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
breath, poor sleep |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
and weak pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
|
| Etiology | Chronic illness, poor nutrition, prolonged overuse |
|---|
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| ST36 Zusanli |
|---|
the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi and Blood
|
| SP6 Sanyinjiao | 3 cun above the medial malleolus |
|---|
Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |
| LI11 Quchi | Lateral end of the elbow crease |
|---|
Large Intestine meridian; regulates Qi and Blood |
| LI10 Shousanli | 2 cun below LI11, on the forearm |
|---|
treats elbow pain |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method;
moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao 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 weakness | 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 tendinopathy with reduced collagen synthesis, impaired tendon
repair, and weakness. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to chronic
golfer's elbow with poor healing capacity, where inadequate nutrient
supply to the tendon impairs tissue repair.
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 elbow pain
relief.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM tendon health.
Related TCM Patterns for Golfers Elbow
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.