Hand Arthritis - Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for hand arthritis with
Hand Arthritis · Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 6 min
Body Area: Hand
Pattern Overview
Liver-Kidney Deficiency is a chronic degenerative pattern in hand
arthritis, characterized by **bone erosion, chronic ache, weakness, and
aggravation with overwork. The core pathogenesis is insufficient
nourishment of the hand joints by Liver Blood and Kidney Essence**,
leading to progressive bone erosion and joint damage.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
weakness, worse with overwork |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
dizziness, fatigue |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
and weak pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
joints |
| Etiology | Aging, chronic overuse, constitutional weakness |
|---|
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| BL23 Shenshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 |
|---|
Qi and Essence |
| KI3 Taixi |
|---|
tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |
| GB39 Xuanzhong | 3 cun above the lateral malleolus |
|---|
marrow; strengthens bones and tendons |
| LI5 Yangxi | On the wrist crease, radial side |
|---|
Large Intestine meridian; treats wrist and hand pain |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method;
moxibustion may be applied to Shenshu and Taixi to warm and tonify.
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
bones and tendons.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Severe bone erosion | Add Du Zhong, Xu Duan to strengthen bones |
|---|
| Fatigue and weakness | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi |
|---|
| Cold intolerance | Add Rou Gui, Fu Zi to warm Yang |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
Bone erosion with cartilage degradation, subchondral bone sclerosis, and
progressive joint damage. Liver-Kidney Deficiency corresponds to
advanced hand arthritis with significant bone erosion, where progressive
cartilage loss leads to joint destruction and deformity.
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 hand pain
relief.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM arthritis health.
Related TCM Patterns for Hand Arthritis
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.