Shoulder Pain - Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for shoulder pain with
Shoulder Pain · Liver-Kidney Deficiency Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 6 min
Body Area: Shoulder
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Pattern Overview
Liver-Kidney Deficiency is a chronic degenerative pattern in shoulder
pain, characterized by **degenerative changes, chronic ache, weakness,
and aggravation with overwork. The core pathogenesis is insufficient
nourishment of the shoulder tendons and bones by Liver Blood and Kidney
Essence**, leading to degenerative changes and chronic pain.
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Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| **Primary Symptoms** |
worse with overwork |
| **Associated Symptoms** |
dizziness, fatigue |
| **Tongue and Pulse** |
|---|
and weak pulse |
| **Pathogenesis** |
shoulder |
| **Etiology** | Aging, chronic overuse, constitutional weakness |
|---|
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Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
| **BL23 Shenshu** | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 |
|---|
Qi and Essence |
| **GB34 Yanglingquan** | Depression below the head of the fibula |
Master point for tendons; strengthens muscles |
| **LI15 Jianyu** |
|---|
acromion and the greater tubercle | Key point for shoulder pain;
unblocks the shoulder meridian |
| **KI3 Taixi** |
tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method;
moxibustion may be applied to Shenshu and Taixi to warm and tonify.
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Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (独活寄生汤)
Composition:
Angelica pubescens (Du Huo), Loranthus (Sang Ji Sheng), Eucommia (Du
Zhong), Achyranthes (Niu Xi), Angelica (Dang Gui), Chuanxiong (Chuan
Xiong), Rehmannia (Shu Di), White Peony (Bai Shao), Ginseng (Ren Shen),
Poria (Fu Ling), Licorice (Gan Cao), Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng), Gentiana
(Qin Jiao), Asarum (Xi Xin), Cinnamon (Rou Gui)
Action: Tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens tendons and bones,
and relieves pain.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|---|
| Severe shoulder pain |
pain |
| Lower back and knee soreness |
lower back |
| Fatigue and weakness | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi |
|---|
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Western Mechanism Reference
Degenerative changes with cartilage degeneration, reduced tendon
elasticity, and age-related changes. Liver-Kidney Deficiency corresponds
to shoulder pain in older patients, where age-related degeneration and
reduced tissue elasticity contribute to chronic pain.
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References
1. Textbook Standard.
2. WHO. (2023). *Musculoskeletal pain*. World Health Organization.
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Explore More
- **Find your solution at [MendGod.com](https://mendgod.com)** –
Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for shoulder pain
relief.
- **Deepen your knowledge at [TcmCIO.com](https://tcmcio.com)** – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM shoulder health.
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed healthcare provider.