Pain in the lumbar (lower back) area may vary in intensity,sharpness and cause. Low back pain is commonly caused by mechanical or structural problems including fractures, muscle strain and pressure on a nerve. The general etiological factors are:
1. Patient attacked by pathogenic (disease producing) cold and damp.
2. Deficiency of the kidney qi.
3. Trauma due to a muscle sprain or contusion.

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1. Cold damp: Lower back pain occurs after exposure to cold and damp and rainy days. The lumbar region has a heavy sensation and there may be a stiffness of the muscles. There may also be less extension and flexability in the back. Pain can extend to the lower limbs (legs). Sometimes a cold feeling extends in the affected area. The tongue coating is white and sticky, while the pulse is deep and weak, or deep and slow.

2. Kidney deficiency: Usually a pain and soreness occur in the lower back, and the loins and knees feel tired and weak. If there is a deficiency of kidney-yang, then there is a cramp-like feeling in the lower abdomen and the limbs are cold. The tongue turns pale, and the pulse is deep and slow. Also, the mouth and throat feel dry, the face is flushed, and there is a feverish feeling in the chest, palms and soles. The tongue is reddened with scanty coating, and the pulse is weak or rapid.

3. Trauma: Trauma can cause rigidity (stiffness) and pain in the area that was injured. The tongue is pink or dark purple when affected by trauma. The pulse is tense and uncertain. There is poor circulation of qi and blood when the meridians are blocked from cold and dampness. This causes the lower back pain. The kidney deficiency also causes pain. When kidney does not have enough essence, this means that the bone lacks marrow. It causes painful soreness and weakness in the lumbar region and the knee. Injury in the lumbar area causes retardation of qi and blood, and that causes further pain.

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To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine can help normalize the circulation of qi and blood, easing the pain in the lower back.

1. Kidney deficiency yin:
Recipe: Bolus of Six Drugs Including Rehmania
1. Prepared rhizome of rehmannia, Rhizoma Rehmanniae Praeparata 240 g
2. Dogwood fruit, Fructus Corni 120 g
3. Dried Chinese yam, Rhizoma Dioscoreae 120 g
4. Oriental water plantain, Rhizoma Alismatis 90g
5. Poria, Poria 90g
6. Moutan bark, Cortex Moutan Radicis 90g

The above medicine is ready made and u can buy it from any Chinese Herb Store. The Directions are shown on the Medicine. The function of the above medicines is to nourish and enrich the liver and kidney. The above No.1 drug is the principal one to nourish the kidney-yin and produce essence. No. 2 are the assistant drugs, nourishing the kidney and replenishing the liver. No.3 is for nourishing the kidney-yin and tonifying the spleen. The others are to help in the adjustment of all drugs. No.4 coordinates with the principal drug to clear the kidney and get rid of the turbid materials from the body. No. 6 cooperates with No.2, cleansing liver fire, and No.5 shares the effort together with No.3 to eliminate the dampness from the spleen.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Points are selected from Du and the Foot-Taiyang Meridians to regulate the circulation of qi and blood. Acupuncture and Moxibustion are both applied to cold-damp type. If there is deficiency of the kidney yang, apply needles with reinforcing method and moxibustion. If there is deficiency of the kidney yin, use the reinforcing method only. For traumatic low back pain, apply reducing method or pricking to cause bleeding.

Prescription/Formula: Shenshu (B23), Yaoyang-guan ( Du 3), Weizhong (B 40).
Supplementary points: Cold damp : Dachangshu (B25), Guanyuanshu (B26)
Deficiency of the kidney yang: Mingmen (Du 4), Yaoyan(Extra).
Deficiency of the kidney yin: Zhishi (B52), Taixi(K3)
Traumatic Injury: Renzhong (Du 26), Yaotongxue(Extra), Ahshi point.

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies

For effect of Qigong on Cardiovascular System, click here.

Generally, Qigong can relieve pain as it improves the circulation of qi and blood. Results won't be visable right away, however it takes less time for Qigong to heal pain than other ailments.

The following types of Qigong may help:

• Static Qigong:
  Relaxation Qigong
  Roborant Qigong
  Standing Qigong
  
• Dynamic Qigong:
  Fifteen Sets of Taiji-Qigong
  Yiyinjing
  Taiji
  

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

(b) Medicated diet
1) 3 eggs, Rice Vinegar (Micu) 250g
Put vinegar in the pot, cook it until it boils, then put the 3 eggs into it, boil for 8 more minutes. Eat the eggs before going to bed at night, until recovery.

Caution: Not to be taken by patients with high cholesterol.

(c) Life style
1) Don't live in the damp place, such as basement.
2) The Low Back should always remain warm.
3) Take more rest.
4) Take care not to fall down and get hurt.
5) Don't carry heavy stuff.

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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.