Lower back pain
Low back pain is pain or stiffness in the lower part of the back. The symptoms may occur suddenly, for example after lifting, exercising or a wrong movement, but also gradually increase due to prolonged or repeated stress. Sometimes the pain remains local while in others it radiates to the buttock, hip or leg.
Many low back pain is non-specific: there is no obvious damage or condition that fully explains the pain. In other people, however, there is a recognizable cause, such as a hernia, osteoarthritis, overload or injury.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in both acute and prolonged back complaints. The treatment is tailored to the possible cause, the character of the pain, the duration of the symptoms and any other symptoms.
Western disorders in which low back pain may occur
Low back pain is a symptom and can have several causes. Common disorders and diagnoses are:
- non-specific or mechanical low back pain;
- spit (Lumbago);
- Hernia of an intermediate vertebral disc;
- osteoarthritis and degenerative changes in the spine;
- facet joint problems;
- SI joint complaints;
- ischias or other nerve irritation with pain radiating to the leg;
- muscle, tendon or band injury around the lower back;
- overload or a sports injury.
Not all the pain that is felt in the lower back actually occurs in the back. Disorders of, for example, the kidneys, urinary tract or organs in the pelvis can also cause pain to this area.
Possible causes
Low back pain is often caused by a combination of load and capacity for activity. Wrong movement, heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, sports or repeated stress can provoke complaints. Also reduced strength or condition, previous injuries and insufficient recovery can contribute to the onset or return of back pain.
Long-term complaints may involve changes in inter-spine discs, joints or other structures. Stress and long-lasting muscle tension can also affect the pain and the way the back is strained.
Which treatment is appropriate therefore depends not only on where the pain is, but also on how the symptoms have arisen and what factors they continue to influence.
How can acupuncture help with lower back pain?
Acupuncture looks at the location and character of the pain, how the symptoms have arisen and what movements or conditions affect the pain. Also radiant pain, muscle tension, stiffness, mobility and capacity for activity are included. The treatment can be adjusted during recovery.
Acupuncture may include:
- reduce pain and tenderness in the lower back;
- reduce strained or cramped muscles around the back and pelvis;
- reduce stiffness and support mobility;
- treat complaints that radiate to the buttock, hip or leg;
- support the recovery after overload, wrong movement or injury;
- help improve the strength of the back in case of prolonged or recurrent complaints.
Also with acute low back pain acupuncture can be used early in recovery to reduce pain and muscle tension and support normal movement.
Depending on the cause, acupuncture can be combined with physiotherapy, exercise therapy, osteopathy, chiropractic or a targeted build-up of strength and strength.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with lower back pain?
Chinese herbs can be used in addition to acupuncture, especially when back pain is present for long periods of time, regularly returns or is part of a broader grievance image. As herbs are taken daily, they can also provide support between acupuncture treatments.
Depending on the underlying pattern, Chinese herbal medicine may focus on:
- supporting lower back flow in sharp, local or persistent pain;
- treat pain and stiffness when cold or humid weather clearly worsens the symptoms;
- treat heat and heavy feeling when an inflammatory image is in the foreground;
- regulate tension when stress and tense muscles clearly affect back complaints;
- to support recovery and general capacity for activity in chronic nagging or recurrent back pain.
The composition is tailored to your complaints and general health and can be adjusted during the treatment course. Herbs are not required for any form of low back pain; in a mainly local or mechanical complaint, the emphasis may be on acupuncture, movement and targeted exercises.
How does Chinese medicine view lower back pain?
Within Western medicine, it looks at which structures or conditions can explain the back pain, such as muscles, joints, vertebral discs or nerves. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also looks at the character of the pain and the circumstances that caused the complaint to arise or persist.
In case of pain, the meridians and the flow of Qi and Blood are particularly central. Meridians are seen within TCM as compounds through the body that circulates Qi and Blood. Several meridians run over the lower back, buttocks and legs. Therefore, the precise location of the pain and possible radiant pain can help determine which meridians receive attention during treatment.
An important starting point within TCM is that pain occurs when the free flow in an area is hindered. After overload, this disturbance can be relatively mild, while after injury or prolonged complaints a stronger local stagnation may occur. Cold and moisture can also impede movement around muscles and joints. In other people, prolonged tension can play an important role.
In the case of chronic or recurrent low back pain, the kidney organ system is also considered. A TCM organ system is not only meant as an anatomical organ but as a collection of body functions and interrelationships. Within TCM, the kidney organ system is inter alia connected to the strength and strength of the lower back and to the support of bones.
A recognizable combination of such characteristics is called a TCM pattern. Two people with the same Western diagnosis, for example a hernia, can therefore have different patterns and be treated differently.
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns may occur at the same time. Not everyone with the same pattern has all the mentioned symptoms. The pattern is determined based on the overall picture of your symptoms.
What's a meridian?
Most common TCM patterns at low back pain
Qi- and Blood stagnation
At Qi- and Blood stagnation, local flow in the lower back is hampered. This often occurs after overload, wrong movement or when certain movements repeatedly provoke the same pain.
Common symptoms: local back pain, tension or stiffness, pressure sensitivity and symptoms that increase with certain movements or loads. The pain may radiate to the buttock or leg.
Examples of Western disorders: spit, nonspecific low back pain, muscle and band problems, SI joint complaints and some forms of nerve irritation.
Blood stasis
In Blood stasis, local stagnation is stronger and usually more persistent. This pattern can occur after a fall, accident or other injury, but also when local back pain persists for a long time.
Common symptoms: sharp or stabbing pain, clearly defined pain spot, strong sensitivity to pressure and limited movement. The pain can also be present at rest and become stronger at night.
Examples of Western disorders: back pain after trauma or surgery, long-term local back pain and some chronic SI or facet joint discomfort.
Cold-Dampness
According to TCM, cold and moisture can hinder the free movement in muscles and joints. This pattern fits especially with back pain where temperature and weather conditions clearly influence the complaints.
Common symptoms: dull or heavy pain, stiffness, feeling heavy in the lower back, worsening due to cold or damp weather and improvement by heat and quiet movement.
Examples of Western disorders: nonspecific low back pain, osteoarthritis and various prolonged muscle and joint complaints in which cold and stiffness play a clear role.
Damp-Heat
At Dampness-Heat, a warm, heavy or irritated image is in the foreground. This pattern is less common than local stagnation or Cold-Dampness and is mainly considered when obvious heat phenomena or other matching complaints are present.
Common symptoms: severe or burning pain, a feeling of warmth in the lower back and sometimes other signs of heat or inflammation. When the lower part of the body is involved, for example, burning or frequent urination and pelvic problems can occur.
Examples of Western disorders: some inflammatory back pain and back pain associated with urinary tract or pelvic disorders.
Liver Qi-stagnation
With Liver Qi-stagnation, the movement of Qi according to TCM is less flexible. This pattern fits especially when stress, emotional stress and prolonged muscle tension clearly affect back problems.
Common symptoms: tense muscles, whining or changing back pain, symptoms that increase during periods of stress and often also tension in for example neck, shoulders or jaw. Movement or relaxation can give relief.
Examples of Western disorders: non-specific low back pain, myofascial pain and recurrent back discomfort in which muscle tension and stress play a clear role.
Kidney deficiency
Within TCM, the kidney organ system is inter alia connected to the strength and strength of the lower back and to support bones. This pattern is mainly seen in long-term or recurrent back complaints where the back feels weak and tired rather than acutely sharp painful.
Common symptoms: chronic nagging back pain, weakness or fatigue in the lower back, symptoms that increase after prolonged exercise and improvement through rest. Depending on the specific pattern, cold sensations or heat and dryness can also occur.
Examples of Western disorders: chronic low back pain, degenerative changes in the spine, osteoarthritis and back complaints with reduced strength at the forefront.
Outlook
How quickly low back pain improves depends on the cause, duration and severity of the symptoms and overall capacity for activity. Acute low back pain often has a beneficial natural course and can recover faster than complaints that have been present for months or years.
In the initial phase, it is often treated approximately once a week. For acute or severe symptoms temporary treatment can be appropriate two to three times a week. If pain decreases and movement becomes easier, the frequency can usually be reduced. These are guidelines; the course of treatment is tailored to your situation.
With long-term or recurrent back pain, a broader approach is often important. Regular exercise and targeted exercises for strength, mobility and capacity for activity can contribute to recovery. Depending on the cause, acupuncture can be combined with physiotherapy, practice therapy, osteopathy or chiropractic.
When is medical research important?
Most low back pain has no serious cause. However, some symptoms require rapid medical assessment.
Contact a doctor in case of sudden or increasing loss of strength in one or both legs, numbness around the seat or genitals or new problems with urination or stool. Also fever combined with back pain, unexplained weight loss, severe pain following an accident or new back pain in someone with a relevant medical history may be cause for further investigation.
Even if new or unexplained back pain worsens rapidly or does not improve as expected, it is wise to have the cause medically assessed.
Contact
Do you suffer from low back pain and want to know if acupuncture can help you?
During a first consultation, we will discuss your complaints, medical history and any underlying factors. On the basis of this, a treatment plan will be drawn up that matches your situation.
You can make an appointment directly online or contact us for more information.