Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease:
A Chinese Medicine Perspective
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is becoming more common worldwide, often linked with high blood pressure, diabetes, and the stresses of modern life. In Western medicine, CKD describes a gradual loss of kidney function over time. The kidneys filter waste from the blood, regulate fluids, and help maintain balance in the body. When they weaken, waste products can build up, leading to fatigue, swelling, or more serious health concerns. Western treatment usually focuses on controlling underlying conditions and slowing the decline of kidney function.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the kidneys in a broader sense. Beyond their physical role, the kidneys are considered the “root of life,” storing the body’s essence, or jing, and governing growth, reproduction, and aging. They are also linked to the bones, ears, and the strength of willpower. In this way, kidney health is tied not only to longevity but also to vitality and resilience in daily life.
Kidney Health Tips
- Keep warm in colder seasons to protect kidney yang.
- Avoid overwork and allow time for rest and recovery.
- Choose foods that nourish the kidneys such as black beans, walnuts, sesame, and goji berries.
- Practice gentle movement like qigong or taijiquan to strengthen energy and circulation.
- Support emotional balance by calming fear and stress through meditation or breathing practices.
- Stay hydrated and follow medical advice for managing blood pressure and blood sugar.
From a TCM perspective, CKD can be seen as a sign of imbalance. Some people may experience kidney yin deficiency, which shows up as night sweats, dryness, or restlessness. Others may have kidney yang deficiency, marked by feeling cold, weakness in the lower back, or fatigue. There can also be patterns of dampness and stagnation that burden the kidneys. Practitioners look at the whole picture of a person’s health, not just test results, when making a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Treatment in TCM may involve acupuncture, herbal formulas, dietary therapy, and gentle practices like qigong or taijiquan. For example, acupuncture points such as (KI3 太溪 Tàixī) near the ankle or (BL23 肾俞 Shènshū) on the lower back are often chosen to strengthen kidney energy. Herbal formulas such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan are used to nourish kidney yin, while others may support yang or address dampness. These approaches aim to restore balance and improve quality of life, often alongside Western care.
Lifestyle plays an important role as well. Preserving kidney health means more than taking medicine. It includes adequate rest, balanced nutrition, staying warm in cold weather, and avoiding exhaustion from overwork. TCM also recognizes the effect of emotions: fear and chronic insecurity can weaken the kidneys over time, while a calm and steady outlook helps preserve strength.
Chronic Kidney Disease is a serious condition that should always be monitored by qualified health professionals. Yet the wisdom of Chinese medicine offers valuable ways to understand and support kidney health. By combining modern medical care with time-tested practices, individuals can find a path that not only manages disease but also nurtures vitality and longevity.
Vocabulary Guide
- Jing (精) – Essence stored in the kidneys, considered the foundation of growth, reproduction, and vitality in TCM.
- Yin (阴) – The cooling, moistening, and nourishing aspect of the body’s energy.
- Yang (阳) – The warming, activating, and energizing aspect of the body’s energy.
- Qi (气) – Vital energy that flows through the meridians and sustains life.
- KI3 (太溪 Tàixī) – An important acupoint on the Kidney meridian, used to strengthen kidney energy.
- BL23 (肾俞 Shènshū) – A back-shu point of the kidneys, commonly used to support kidney function.
