Fibromyalgia · Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Whole Body
Pattern Overview
Kidney Yang Deficiency is a cold-type chronic pattern in fibromyalgia, characterized by widespread cold-type pain, cold intolerance, fatigue, and frequent urination. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Kidney Yang failing to warm the body, leading to widespread cold pain, fatigue, and reduced function.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| Primary Symptoms | Widespread cold pain, cold intolerance, severe fatigue |
| Associated Symptoms | Frequent urination, weakness in the lower back and knees, 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 body |
| Etiology | Aging, chronic illness, overwork, prolonged exposure to cold |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| DU4 Mingmen | On the midline, between L2 and L3 spinous processes | Warms Kidney Yang and strengthens the body |
| BL23 Shenshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Tonifies Kidney Qi and Yang |
| KI3 Taixi | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |
| RN4 Guanyuan | 3 cun below the umbilicus | Tonifies Yuan Qi and warms the lower abdomen |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; 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 body.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|---|
| Severe cold pain | Add Ba Ji Tian, Yin Yang Huo to warm Yang |
| Frequent urination | Add Yi Zhi Ren, Sang Piao Xiao to astringe the Kidneys |
| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi, Dang Shen to supplement Qi |
Western Mechanism Reference
Widespread cold-type pain with reduced metabolic rate, adrenal insufficiency, and cold sensitivity. Kidney Yang Deficiency corresponds to fibromyalgia with prominent cold symptoms and metabolic dysfunction, often associated with adrenal and thyroid dysfunction.
References
- Textbook Standard.
- WHO. (2023). Fibromyalgia fact sheet. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for widespread pain relief.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM chronic pain management.