Kidney Meridian Disharmonies - TCM Theory

Submitted by yyh_staff on Fri, 06/30/2006 - 9:00am

Below you will find the TCM Disharmonies related to the Kidney Meridian. Each pattern contains a brief description of associated signs and symptoms, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and a list of acupuncture points that may be used to treat the disharmony.

Deficiency Patterns

KD Qi Deficiency

  • General Signs & Symptoms:
    SOB, ashtma, cold limbs, weak back a/or knees, copious clear urination, incontinence, night-time urination.
  • Tongue:
    Pale
  • Pulse:
    Deep, weak possibly tight
  • General Treatment Points:
  • Maciocia Treatment Points w/Valaskatagis commentary, modifications and additions
  • UB 23 - KD Shu
  • GV 4 - tonify Yang
  • CV 4 - tonify Yang
  • KD 3 - tonify KD
  • UB 52 - tonify KD, effect willpower
  • Below are especially useful if lung symptoms predominate
  • LU 7 w/KD 6 - yin qiao ren mai, effect lu/kd communication
  • CV 17 - tonify upper warmer
  • KD 7 - tonify KD Yang

KD Yin Deficiency

  • General Signs & Symptoms:
    Dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, sore back, constipation, may also have empty heat signs, mallor flush, night sweats, heat in the 5 palms, insomnia, dry throat
  • Tongue:
    Red w/no coat, may have horizontal cracks, red tip w/empty fire
  • Pulse:
    Floating, empty, rapid
  • General Treatment Points:
  • Maciocia Treatment Points w/Valaskatagis commentary, modifications and additions
  • KD 3 - tonify KD
  • KD 6 - nourish KD Yin, could add LU 7, yin qiao ren mai
  • SP 6 - nourish Yin
  • CV 4 - nourish Yin
  • If empty heat is effecting the mind - HT 7 a/or KD 9
  • Urinary issues - KD 10

KD Yang Deficiency

  • General Signs & Symptoms:
    Sore a/or weak back/knees, sensation of cold, aversion to cold, weak lower limbs, lassitude, clear copious urine, poor appetite, loose stools, edema (which can be severe)
  • Tongue:
    Pale, swollen, wet possibly a white coat with strong water signs
  • Pulse:
    Deep, weak possibly slow with strong water signs
  • General Treatment Points:
  • Maciocia Treatment Points w/Valaskatagis commentary, modifications and additions
  • UB 23 - KD Shu
  • GV 4 - tonify Yang
  • CV 4 - tonify Yang
  • CV 6 - tonify Qi
  • KD 3 - tonify KD
  • KD 7 - tonify KD Yang
  • UB 52 - tonify KD, strengthen willpower
  • For strong water signs consider the following:
  • UB 13 - LU Shu
  • UB 15 - HT Shu
  • UB 20 - SP Shu
  • UB 22 - TH Shu, major point for water regulation
  • ST 28 - move fluids in the lower warmer
  • SP 9 - resolve dampness
  • LU 7 - upper body edema

KD Jing Deficiency

  • General Signs & Symptoms:
    In children poor physical a/or mental development will be seen, in adults a weakening of the bones, teeth, back a/or knees, memory problems, a/or a lowering of the libido/ability can be seen
  • Tongue:
    Red, peeled
  • Pulse:
    Floating, empty
  • General Treatment Points:
  • Maciocia Treatment Points w/Valaskatagis commentary, modifications and additions
  • KD 3 - tonify KD
  • KD 6 - tonify KD Yin
  • CV 4 - tonify Yin
  • GV 4 - tonify Yang (Dr. So indicates no moxa on this point for males under 20)
  • UB 23 - KD Shu
  • GB 39 - hui meeting of the marrow
  • UB 11 - hui meeting of the bones
  • GV 20 & GV 16 - sea of marrow points, direct marrow to the brain

Sources and More Information

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience.

For a complete list of valuable resources, see our (TCM) Chinese Acupuncture Resources section. The most recommended texts are below:

Image of Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture (Paradigm title)
Image of The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists
Image of Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine
Image of Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine
Image of The Practice of Chinese Medicine: The Treatment of Diseases with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, 1e
Image of The Web That Has No Weaver : Understanding Chinese Medicine