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Treating Back Pain With Acupuncture And Herbal Medicine

  • Categorized As Chinese Medicine

Low Back Pain Relief with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek healthcare — and one of the top conditions we treat with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

In around 90% of cases, low back pain is considered aspecific — meaning scans and imaging don’t show a clear structural cause. This doesn’t make it any less real or painful, but it does mean that treatment focuses on restoring function, reducing pain, and preventing recurrence rather than “fixing” a visible injury.

The remaining 10% of cases have a specific cause, such as disc injury, nerve compression, or underlying medical conditions. Of these, about 1% are linked to serious pathology, which is why it’s important to screen for “red flag” symptoms before starting treatment.

Prognosis & Course

The good news? Aspecific low back pain often improves with the right care and activity:

  • 90% of people do not need time off work.

  • 75% of those who do are back within 4 weeks.

  • Staying active and gradually increasing movement in the first 3 weeks is key to recovery.

When symptoms persist, it’s often due to factors such as muscle tension, poor posture, repetitive strain, or underlying imbalances in the body’s Qi and Blood from a Chinese medicine perspective.

When to Seek Medical Attention Quickly

Before starting any treatment — acupuncture included — we screen for red flags such as:

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Fever or recent infection

  • Severe trauma

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

  • Progressive weakness or numbness in the legs

If any of these are present, immediate medical assessment is essential.

How Chinese Medicine Understands Low Back Pain

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), low back pain may be caused by:

  • Qi and Blood stagnation – from injury or chronic tension, leading to sharp, stabbing pain.

  • Cold-Damp obstruction – aching, heavy pain that worsens in cold or wet weather.

  • Kidney deficiency – dull, chronic pain with weakness, often worse with fatigue or ageing.

Acupuncture aims to restore the flow of Qi and Blood, expel pathogenic factors, and strengthen the body to prevent relapse.

Acupuncture for Low Back Pain

Acupuncture can:

  • Reduce pain and inflammation

  • Relax tight muscles and improve mobility

  • Enhance circulation to aid tissue repair

  • Release natural endorphins for pain relief

Commonly Used Points (chosen based on each individual’s presentation):

  • BL23 (Shenshu) – strengthens Kidney energy, important in chronic or age-related back pain.

  • BL25 (Dachangshu) – benefits the lower back and hips.

  • DU3 (Yaoyangguan) – relieves lumbar stiffness and pain.

  • BL40 (Weizhong) – clears stagnation and benefits the back through distal treatment.

  • GB30 (Huantiao) – used for radiating pain into the buttock or leg.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Low Back Pain

Herbal formulas can complement acupuncture by:

  • Reducing inflammation and stiffness

  • Strengthening tendons, bones, and muscles

  • Supporting the Kidney system for long-term back health

Commonly Prescribed Formulas:

  • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang – nourishes Liver and Kidney, dispels Wind-Damp; ideal for chronic lower back pain in older adults or those with weakness.

  • Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang – invigorates Qi and Blood, disperses painful obstruction from injury.

  • Zuo Gui Wan – strengthens Kidney Yin for chronic low back weakness.

The Combined Approach

In TCM, the best outcomes often come from combining acupuncture and herbal medicine, especially when:

  • Pain is recurrent or long-standing

  • There’s underlying deficiency or systemic imbalance

  • Lifestyle factors need to be addressed to prevent flare-ups

Self-Care & Prevention Tips

Alongside treatment, we often recommend:

  • Staying gently active — avoid prolonged bed rest.

  • Practising good posture at work and home.

  • Stretching and strengthening exercises tailored to your condition.

  • Keeping your lower back warm in cold weather.

Find Relief Naturally

Low back pain can be frustrating and limiting, but you don’t have to put up with it. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer safe, drug-free options that can reduce pain, restore movement, and help prevent future flare-ups.

Book your appointment today and start moving freely again.