Many people with kidney deficiency find that tonifying the kidney yields little effect, as whatever is supplemented seems to "leak" out. In fact, it is not that kidney deficiency itself is difficult to manage; the core issue lies in Zongjin stasis. Zongjin is a key pathway through which qi and blood nourish the kidneys and maintain their functions. Once it becomes blocked, nutrients cannot be delivered, making tonification efforts futile. There are three common causes of Zongjin stasis: dampness, liver qi stagnation, and blood stasis. Their corresponding manifestations and management methods are as follows.

The first type is dampness stasis. Typical manifestations include: lower back heaviness and fatigue upon waking in the morning, reduced libido, and difficulty rising in severe cases; indentation upon pressing the area below the waist, swelling in the lower limbs, accompanied by aversion to cold, cold hands and feet, and frequent urination; a swollen tongue with a white coating. This is caused by insufficient kidney yang leading to impaired water-dampness metabolism, resulting in the overflow of dampness that blocks the qi and blood pathways.

For treatment, modified Jisheng Shenqi Decoction may be selected. It works by warming and tonifying kidney yang, transforming dampness, and unblocking stasis, thereby clearing the obstruction of qi and blood caused by water-dampness, allowing yang qi to circulate smoothly, and restoring the function of the ancestral sinew.

The second cause is liver qi stagnation. Common symptoms include: increased difficulty with erections when under stress, frequent sighing due to depression, fullness and distension in the chest, flanks, and abdomen, poor appetite, and significant bloating after eating. The sides of the tongue appear swollen or distended.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver governs free flow and regulation. When liver qi becomes stagnant, the circulation of qi and blood is impaired, preventing them from smoothly reaching the ancestral sinew. For treatment, modified Xiaoyao Powder can be used to soothe liver stagnation and regulate qi movement. When qi flows, blood follows. Once qi and blood circulate unimpeded, the ancestral sinew receives sufficient nourishment, and its function can improve.

The third cause is blood stasis obstruction. Manifestations include: unexplained, fixed stabbing pains in the body, dark purple ecchymoses on the skin, a purplish-dark tongue with dark, tortuous sublingual veins, and recurrent functional difficulties. This is due to blood stasis blocking the channels and collaterals, preventing qi and blood from nourishing the kidneys and the ancestral sinew.

Treatment can be adjusted using Guizhi Fuling Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Decoction) to resolve deep-seated blood stasis, restore smooth circulation of qi and blood, and address the root cause.

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