Shoulder Pain - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for shoulder pain with
Shoulder Pain · Qi-Blood 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
Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in shoulder pain, characterized
by chronic weakness, dull pain, fatigue, and poor recovery. The core
pathogenesis is **insufficient Qi and Blood to nourish the shoulder
muscles and tendons**, leading to weakness, chronic pain, and impaired
recovery.
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Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| **Primary Symptoms** |
poor recovery |
| **Associated Symptoms** |
sleep, cold limbs |
| **Tongue and Pulse** |
|---|
and weak pulse |
| **Pathogenesis** |
muscles |
| **Etiology** |
|---|
pain |
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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 |
| **LI15 Jianyu** |
|---|
acromion and the greater tubercle | Key point for shoulder pain;
unblocks the shoulder meridian |
| **BL23 Shenshu** | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 |
Qi and Essence |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method;
moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao to warm and tonify
Qi and Blood.
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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 |
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Western Mechanism Reference
Chronic weakness with reduced muscle strength, impaired tissue repair,
and nutritional deficiency. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to chronic
shoulder pain with significant functional impairment, often seen in
elderly patients or those with poor nutrition.
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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.