Lumbago - Yao Tong

Definition

A condition marked by pains in the lumbar region. It can be on one side or on both sides. It is closely related to the Kidney in TCM.

Kidney deficiency: overwork physically and sexually; old age; protracted illnesses – kidney Essence deficiency, lack of nourishment for the Channels and Collaterals in lumbar region.
Cold Damp: sitting or sleeping on damp ground, living and working in cold and damp condition, soaking in water and dampness, wading in water, rain etc. Cold Damp invades and blocks the Channels and Collaterals.
Damp Heat: Cold Damp transformation into Damp Heat, damp-heat evil invasion or accumulation of dam-heat. Damp-heat blocks the Channels and Collaterals.
Blood Stasis: trauma and other injuries. Qi and Blood stagnates and Channels and Collaterals are blocked
The role of the Kidney: kidney deficiency is the root, while evils and trauma are all branches. Kidney deficiency is basic pathology of Yao Tong (lumbago). When the kidney is weak, the lumbar region will be more susceptible to Exogenous Evils invasion and trauma. Invasion of exogenous evils and trauma can aggravate kidney deficiency.

Symptoms: Lower backache with weakness, like massage and palpation, weak knees and legs, worse when overwork and better when rest and lie down. vexation and insomnia, dry mouth and throat, flushed face, hot feeling at 5 centers.
Tongue: Red tongue with little coating
Pulse: Thready and Rapid
Treatment strategy: Nourishing to tonify kidney Yin
Formula: Zuo Gui Wan
Acupoints:

Symptoms: Lower backache with weakness, like massage and palpation, weak knees and legs, worse when overwork and better when rest and lie down. Lower abdomen contraction, pale complexion and cold limbs.
Tongue: Pale tongue
Pulse: Deep and Thready
Treatment strategy: Warm to tonify kidney Yang
Formula: You Gui Wan
Acupoints:

Symptoms: Stabbing pain fixed at certain place, refusing palpation, worse at night and better at day time, movement restriction (bending, stretching and turning), with history of trauma or injuries.
Tongue: Dull purple tongue or with ecchymoses
Pulse: Uneven
Treatment strategy: Promote blood movement to remove stasis, regulate qi to stop pain
Formula: Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Acupoints:

Symptoms: Lumbar pain with cold and heavy sensation, progressively deteriorating, rest and lying down fail to ease pain, damp and rainy days make it worse.
Tongue: White and greasy tongue coating
Pulse: Deep and Slow
Treatment strategy: Expel cold, drain dampness, warm to free the channels and collaterals
Formula: Gan Jiang Ling Zhu Tang
Acupoints:

Symptoms: Distending pain with hot sensation, damp and hot weather makes it worse, short and scanty urination
Tongue: Yellow and greasy tongue coating
Pulse: Soggy and Rapid or Wiry and Rapid
Treatment strategy: Clear heat, drain dampness and relax muscles and tendons to relieve pain
Formula: Si Miao Wan
Acupoints: