Lower Back Painaccording to TCM

*redirected from Sore lower back

Symptom family: Back and Neck Pain

Parent symptom: Back Pain

Sub-symptom(s): Chronic Lower Back Pain

What is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, is a common medical condition characterized by discomfort or pain in the lumbar region of the back. It can range from mild soreness to debilitating pain, impacting mobility and quality of life.

This condition can be acute or chronic and may be caused by a variety of factors including muscle or ligament strain, disc herniation, arthritis, or spinal irregularities. Chronic lower back pain, a persistent form of this ailment, often requires comprehensive management strategies for relief.

How Does TCM View Lower Back Pain?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets lower back pain as a sign of imbalance in the body's internal energy systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on physical causes, TCM considers both physical and energetic factors.

It attributes lower back pain to disruptions in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, or imbalances in Yin and Yang energies. According to TCM, identifying and treating the underlying pattern of disharmony is crucial for effectively addressing lower back pain.

Root Causes of Lower Back Pain in TCM

In TCM, lower back pain is often linked to patterns like Yin Deficiency andYang Deficiency. For example, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency might manifest as lower back pain accompanied by symptoms like dizziness and tinnitus.

Similarly, Kidney Yang Deficiency could present with lower back soreness along with coldness in the back and fatigue. Other patterns like Heat, including Toxic-Heat or Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing, can also contribute to lower back pain, each displaying unique symptoms and requiring different TCM treatments.

Explore below more details about what might cause Lower back pain according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat
  • Yang Deficiency
Detailed description of the cause

Yin Deficiency

Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more

Yin Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Lower Back Pain

Common Symptoms: Dizziness Tinnitus Insomnia Dry Throat Night Sweats Dry Mouth Hearing Loss Blurry Vision

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency Lower back pain, Soreness and weakness in the lower back, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility... see more Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | He Che Da Zao Wan | Tiao Gan Tang | Gui Shao Di Huang Tang | Zuo Gui Yin | Si Wu Tang | Zuo Gui Wan | Qi Ju Di Huang Wan | Qing Gu San | Yi Guan Jian | Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang | Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night dry coughing, Dry throat, Dry mouth, Emaciation, Exertional dyspnea, Night sweats, Hearing loss, Oliguria... see more Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Kidney Yin Deficiency Lower back pain, Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety... see more Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zuo Gui Wan | Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan | Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing Lower back pain, Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms, Afternoon heat sensation, Evening heat sensation, Scanty and dark urine, Hematuria, Dry throat, Preference for sipping, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Nocturnal emission, Hypersexuality, Dry stools... see more Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys Soreness and weakness in the lower back, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain, Knee pain, Night sweats, Constipation, Menopausal hot flashes... see more Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin Soreness and weakness in the lower back, Sore knees, Lower back pain, Knee weakness, Dry mouth, Dry tongue, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Hair graying... see more Er Zhi Wan

TCM Herbal Formulas for Lower Back Pain

TCM recommends specific formulas and herbs for treating lower back pain based on the identified underlying pattern. In cases of Yin Deficiency, formulas like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, containing Prepared rehmannia, are used to nourish Yin.

For Yang Deficiency patterns, such as Kidney Yang Deficiency, Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan with ingredients like Prepared aconite can be beneficial. These formulas are selected to address the specific type of imbalance causing the lower back pain, thus aiming at both symptom relief and root cause treatment.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address lower back pain, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat
  • Yang Deficiency

All Formulas Recommended for Lower Back Pain Caused by Yin Deficiency

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing, Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys... see more
Zuo Gui Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
He Che Da Zao Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang Kidney Yin Deficiency
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
Tiao Gan Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Gui Shao Di Huang Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Zuo Gui Yin Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Si Wu Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Qing Gu San Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Yi Guan Jian Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Ming Mu Di Huang Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
Er Zhi Wan Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin

Acupoints for Lower Back Pain

Acupuncture is a key component of TCM treatment for lower back pain. Acupoints like Baihuanshu BL-30 and Chengfu BL-36 on the Bladder Channel are targeted for their effectiveness in strengthening the lower back and legs and removing channel obstructions.

Other points such as Yaoshu DU-2 and Yaoyangguan DU-3a in the Governing Vessel are used for their abilities to strengthen the lower back and tonify Yang. These acupoints are chosen based on their traditional indications and the patient's specific condition to provide a comprehensive approach to alleviate lower back pain.

Explore below some acupoints used to address lower back pain, organized by meridian.

  • By Meridian
  • Bladder Channel
  • Kidney Channel
  • Directing Vessel
Dazhu BL-11

Dazhu BL-11

On the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra (T1), 1.5 cun (about 2 finger-breadths) lateral to the posterior midline.

Shenshu BL-23

Shenshu BL-23

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumber vertebra (L2).

Qihaishu BL-24

Qihaishu BL-24

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd lumber vertebra (L3).

Dachangshu BL-25

Dachangshu BL-25

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th lumber vertebra (L4).

Guanyuanshu BL-26

Guanyuanshu BL-26

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th lumber vertebra (L5).

Pangguangshu BL-28

Pangguangshu BL-28

At the level of the 2nd posterior sacral foramen, 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline, in the depression between the medial border of the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and the sacrum.

Baihuanshu BL-30

Baihuanshu BL-30

At the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen, 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior midline.

Ciliao BL-32

Ciliao BL-32

In the 2nd posterior sacral foramen, about midway between the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and the midline.

Chengfu BL-36

Chengfu BL-36

In the middle of the gluteal crease. Locate the point in prone position.

Yinmen BL-37

Yinmen BL-37

6 cun below Chenfu BL-36, on the line joing Chengfu BL-36 and Weizhong BL-40.

Weizhong BL-40

Weizhong BL-40

At the midpoint of the popliteal crease, between the tendons of biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscle.

Zhishi BL-52

Zhishi BL-52

3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumber vertebra (L2).

Zhibian BL-54

Zhibian BL-54

At the level of the 4th posterior sacral foramen, 3 cun lateral to the posterior midline.

Chengshan BL-57

Chengshan BL-57

Directly below the belly of the gastrocnemius muscle and between the two heads of the muscle, on the line connecting Weizhong BL-40 and Kunlun BL-60, about 8 cun below Weizhong BL-40.

Feiyang BL-58

Feiyang BL-58

On the posterior border of fibula, about 1 cun inferior and lateral to Chengshan BL-57, 7 cun directly above Kunlun BL-60.

Fuyang BL-59

Fuyang BL-59

On the lateral aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun above Kunlun BL-60.

Jinmen BL-63

Jinmen BL-63

Anterior and inferior to Shenmai BL-62, in the depression lateral to the cuboid bone.

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