Traditional Chinese Medicine and Back Pain

Pain & Musculoskeletal · ICD-10 M54.5

Low back pain (腰痛, ICD-10 M54.5) is a very common problem across all age groups. It often results from prolonged sitting, lifting heavy objects, poor posture, or age-related changes. Symptoms may come and go, or radiate into the hips and legs. This information is for general understanding and is not a personalized diagnosis.

The TCM perspective

Traditional Chinese Medicine regards the lower back as "the house of the Kidneys" (腰为肾之府), so chronic low back pain is often linked to Kidney Deficiency of both the Yang and Yin types. When Cold and Damp invade, or when Blood Stasis follows an injury, the flow of Qi and Blood through the channels of the lower back becomes obstructed and pain arises. TCM care emphasizes nourishing the Kidneys and supporting circulation to help ease discomfort.

TCM patterns

• Kidney Deficiency — Chronic aching and weakness in the lower back; Yang deficiency tends toward cold pain with aversion to cold, while Yin deficiency tends toward a mild warm ache.
• Cold-Damp — A heavy, dull ache that worsens in cold or damp weather and feels relieved by warmth.
• Blood Stasis — Sharp, fixed-point pain, often with a history of injury, that stabs with movement.
• Liver-Kidney Deficiency — Chronic pain in older adults over 40, accompanied by fatigue and weak knees.

General self-care

• Avoid staying in one seated position too long; stand up and change posture every 30-45 minutes.
• Lift heavy objects by bending the knees rather than the back, and avoid twisting while lifting.
• Do gentle, regular exercises to strengthen the core and back muscles.
• Keep the lower back warm in cold environments and sleep on a mattress that supports the back well.

When to consult a doctor

• Pain radiating down the leg with numbness, weakness, or changes in bladder or bowel control.
• Severe pain after an injury, fall, or accident.
• Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or pain that is worse at night.
• Symptoms that do not improve within a few weeks or that disrupt work and sleep.

This content is provided for general knowledge only. It is not individual medical advice and does not guarantee any result. Appropriate care should follow an assessment by a licensed TCM practitioner. For severe or emergency symptoms, see a doctor or call 1669.

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