Lower Back Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different lower back pain patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

11
TCM Patterns
54
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 11 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each lower back pain pattern
Classical remedies 54 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets lower back pain as a sign of imbalance in the body's internal energy systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on physical causes, TCM considers both physical and energetic factors.

It attributes lower back pain to disruptions in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, or imbalances in Yin and Yang energies. According to TCM, identifying and treating the underlying pattern of disharmony is crucial for effectively addressing lower back pain.

TCM Patterns for Lower Back Pain

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Lower back pain, Soreness and weakness in the lower back

6 variations documented
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain, Soreness and weakness in the lower back

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia,

Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night dry coughing, Dry throat, Dry mouth, Emaciation,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine,

Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness and weakness in the lower back

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness and weakness in the lower back

Along with: Sore knees, Lower back pain, Knee weakness, Dry mouth, Dry tongue, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Heat

Causes: Lower back pain, Sore lower back, Soreness and weakness in the lower back

5 variations documented
Toxic-Heat
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Damp-Heat
How it presents with lower back pain

Sore lower back

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Scanty and yellow urine, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions, Ulcers on the lower limbs,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness and weakness in the lower back

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Lower back pain, Sore lower back, Soreness and weakness in the lower back, Soreness of the lower back

4 variations documented
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain, Sore lower back, Soreness and weakness in the lower back

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs,

Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Weak and cold knees, Back cold sensation, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Erectile dysfunction,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness of the lower back, Lower back pain

Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain,

Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness of the lower back

Along with: Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Lower back pain, Sore lower back

3 variations documented
Bladder Deficient and Cold
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Dizziness, Nocturia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it presents with lower back pain

Sore lower back

Along with: Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission,

Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia, Thin menstrual blood,

Cold

Causes: Lower back pain, Soreness of the lower back

3 variations documented
Bladder Deficient and Cold
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Dizziness, Nocturia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness of the lower back, Lower back pain

Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain,

Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner caused by Cold
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Abdominal masses, Lower abdominal pain, Lower abdominal distension, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Soreness of the lower back, Sore lower back, Lower back pain

3 variations documented
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness of the lower back

Along with: Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with lower back pain

Sore lower back

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Scanty and yellow urine, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions, Ulcers on the lower limbs,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Lower back pain, Soreness and weakness in the lower back

2 variations documented
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression, Amenorrhea,

Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness and weakness in the lower back

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Essence Deficiency

Causes: Lower back pain

2 variations documented
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Infertility,

Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression, Amenorrhea,

Blood Stasis

Causes: Lower back pain, Soreness and weakness in the lower back

2 variations documented
Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner caused by Cold
How it presents with lower back pain

Lower back pain

Along with: Abdominal masses, Lower abdominal pain, Lower abdominal distension, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness and weakness in the lower back

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Soreness and weakness in the lower back

1 variation documented
Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness and weakness in the lower back

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Soreness of the lower back, Lower back pain

1 variation documented
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it presents with lower back pain

Soreness of the lower back, Lower back pain

Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain,

Herbal Formulas for Lower Back Pain

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address lower back pain

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency Heat

He Che Da Zao Wan

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Tu Si Zi Wan

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Essence Deficiency Yang Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Yang Deficiency Cold Wind

Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Blood Deficiency Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Zai Zao San

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Yang Deficiency Cold Wind

Dang Gui Di Huang Yin

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency

Sang Piao Xiao San

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Qi Deficiency Cold

Er Miao San

Addresses these lower back pain patterns:

Heat Dampness