Low back pain is a common issue troubling many people in Singapore. Whether busy office workers or middle-aged/elderly individuals experiencing declining physical function with age, back pain often strikes unexpectedly, severely impacting quality of life. Qiu Baorun from Singapore Gongfangtang TCM points out that back pain caused by prolonged sitting is often related to stagnant qi and blood flow and blocked meridians. It can be effectively improved through a treatment approach focused on "dredging the meridians, activating collaterals, strengthening tendons, and reinforcing bones," combined with daily care.
TCM Perspective on Low Back Pain
Low back pain is associated with poor circulation of qi and blood in the body’s meridians and dysfunction of the internal organs. For example:
Invasion of Wind, Cold, and Dampness: Pathogens like wind, cold, and dampness invading the body can block the meridians, obstructing qi and blood flow, leading to pain. Individuals long exposed to damp and cold environments are susceptible.
Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Common causes include traumatic injuries or chronic poor posture, which impede the flow of qi and blood in the lower back, causing blood stasis and pain.
Kidney Deficiency: Closely linked to back pain. TCM states that "the waist houses the kidneys." With age, congenital deficiency, or overexertion, the kidney essence becomes deficient, depriving the lower back of nourishment, leading to pain.
TCM Treatment for Low Back Pain
Herbal Medicine Regulation:
Blood Stasis Type: Use Taohong Siwu Decoction (Peach Kernel 10g + Safflower 6g + Chinese Angelica Root 15g + Szechuan Lovage Root 8g) to invigorate blood and resolve stasis.
Kidney Deficiency Type: Use Zuogui Pills (Prepared Rehmannia Root 24g + Chinese Yam 12g + Goji Berry 12g) to tonify the kidneys and replenish essence.
Cold-Dampness Type: Drink Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (Doubleteeth Pubescent Angelica Root 9g + Chinese Taxillus Twig 15g + Ledebouriella Root 6g) to dispel wind and eliminate dampness.
Meridian Dredging Methods:
Acupoint Pressure: Press Shenshu (BL23) (1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the 2nd lumbar vertebra) and Weizhong (BL40) (midpoint of the popliteal crease) for 3 minutes daily to stimulate meridian qi.
Cupping Therapy: Perform moving cupping along the Bladder Meridian pathway (back region) to dredge blocked meridians. Once a week is recommended.
Daily Care Tips
Stand up and move for 3 minutes after every 50 minutes of sitting. Perform the "Wall Angel" exercise (back against the wall, slide arms up and down).
Dietary Recommendation: Black Bean & Walnut Congee (Black beans 30g + Walnuts 15g + Rice 50g) to tonify kidneys and strengthen the waist.
Case Study
Patient: Mr. Xu, 43 years old, company executive.
Chief Complaint: Recurrent low back pain for 5 years, worsened with left lower limb numbness and pain.
Present Illness: Desk-bound for 10+ hours daily. Sudden severe back pain after deadlifts during exercise. Oral painkillers + physiotherapy provided little relief.
Initial Consultation: Dark red tongue with thin white coating; deep, thready, and choppy pulse. Sallow complexion; lower back muscles stiff "like iron"; audible "clicking" sound in lumbar spine during rotation.
TCM Pattern: Low back pain due to Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis.
Treatment Principle: Boost qi, activate blood, unblock collaterals; tonify liver, strengthen kidneys, reinforce bones.
Prescription: Modified Sanliangban Decoction.
Herbs: Codonopsis Root 30g, Astragalus Root 30g, Chinese Angelica Root 30g, Achyranthes Root 30g, Earthworm 15g, Vinegar-processed Corydalis Rhizome 15g, Wine-processed Szechuan Lovage Root 10g, Salt-processed Eucommia Bark 12g.
Result: By day 4, back pain significantly reduced, mobility largely restored; by day 8, back pain resolved, full range of motion regained.
TCM emphasizes treatment based on pattern differentiation and individualized prescriptions. The specific herbs, usage, and dosage must be adjusted under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner based on the patient's unique condition. Self-medication is strictly discouraged.
