Knee Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different knee pain patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Knee pain is a universal symptom that transcends age and activity level. It can stem from acute injuries like a torn ligament or meniscal damage, or chronic conditions such as arthritis. Symptoms often include stiffness, swelling, and difficulty in bearing weight, making it a leading cause of distress and functional limitation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees knee pain not just as a localized discomfort but as a sign of an underlying imbalance in the body's energy, or Qi. TCM often links knee health to the Kidney Channel, asserting that weakness or stagnation here can manifest as knee pain. The holistic approach of TCM seeks to restore harmony through the body, addressing the root of the pain rather than just its symptoms.
TCM Patterns for Knee Pain
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Knee pain, Weakness and aching in the knees
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Knee pain, Weakness and aching in the knees
Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Low sex drive, Pale and abudant urination, Constipation
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
Knee pain
Along with: Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary dysfunction, Deep pain and heaviness in limbs, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema, Diarrhea, Palpitations, Coughing, Vomit
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Knee pain, Weakness and aching in the knees
Kidney-Deficiency
Knee pain
Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination, Late menstruation, Chills, Cold extremities, Pale face
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
Weakness and aching in the knees
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain, Knee pain, Night sweats, Constipation, Menopausal hot flashes
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Knee pain
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
Knee pain
Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Dizziness, Depression, Amenorrhea, Apathy, Chills, Dark face, Dry mouth
Essence Deficiency
Causes: Knee pain
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
Knee pain
Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Dizziness, Depression, Amenorrhea, Apathy, Chills, Dark face, Dry mouth
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Weakness and aching in the knees
Kidney Qi not Firm
Weakness and aching in the knees
Along with: Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Cold extremities, White vaginal discharge, Bearing down sensation in abdomen, Recurrent miscarriage
Heat
Causes: Weakness and aching in the knees
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
Weakness and aching in the knees
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain, Knee pain, Night sweats, Constipation, Menopausal hot flashes
Herbal Formulas for Knee Pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address knee pain
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Dizziness, Depression, Amenorrhea...
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it manifests:
Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain...
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Dizziness, Depression, Amenorrhea...
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination...
He Che Da Zao Wan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
- Regulates the periods
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Dizziness, Depression, Amenorrhea...
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain, Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it manifests:
Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain...
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Strengthens the Essence
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain, Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Qi
- Warms and tonifies Blood
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Kidney-Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Frequent urination...
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Stabilizes the Kidneys
- Binds up the semen
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Yang
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Knee pain
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary dysfunction, Deep pain and heaviness in limbs, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema...
Fu Tu Dan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Stabilizes the Kidney Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stops leakage
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Qing E Wan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and Reinforces Kidney Yang
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...
Tu Si Zi Wan
Addresses these knee pain patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions
Addresses These Knee Pain Pattern Variations
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it manifests:
Weakness and aching in the knees
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission...