Sore lower back according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Sore lower back can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like sore lower back here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here sore lower back is often associated with back pain, frequent urination and fatigue in the pattern “/tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-qi-not-firm”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause sore lower back.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of sore lower back we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat sore lower back.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause sore lower back
In Chinese Medicine sore lower back is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Qi not Firm
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Kidney Qi not Firm means Kidney Qi Deficiency. Two characteristics are typical in this pattern. Firstly, it is a type of Kidney Yang Deficiency with the associated Cold symptoms. Secondly, it is a type of sinking of Kidneys Qi, thus with many ‘leaking’ downwards symptoms.
In addition to sore lower back, other symptoms associated with /tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-qi-not-firm include back pain, frequent urination and fatigue.
/tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-qi-not-firm is often treated with You Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). You Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm yang and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to sore lower back, other symptoms associated with /tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-yang-deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and night sweats.
From a Western Medicine standpoint /tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-yang-deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
/tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-yang-deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
Five herbal formulas that might help with sore lower back
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with sore lower back?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-qi-not-firm' of which sore lower back is a symptom.
Tu Si Zi Wan
Source date: 1253 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Kidneys. Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions.
Why might Tu Si Zi Wan help with sore lower back?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-qi-not-firm' of which sore lower back is a symptom.
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with sore lower back?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-yang-deficiency' of which sore lower back is a symptom.
Er Xian Tang
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Why might Er Xian Tang help with sore lower back?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-yang-deficiency' of which sore lower back is a symptom.
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with sore lower back?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/kidney-yang-deficiency' of which sore lower back is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat sore lower back
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with sore lower back?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore lower back as a symptom, like Fu Tu Dan or Ba Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with sore lower back?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore lower back as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Fu Tu Dan for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with sore lower back?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore lower back as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with sore lower back?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore lower back as a symptom, like Qi Ju Di Huang Wan or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with sore lower back?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore lower back as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Other symptoms often associated with sore lower back
Dizziness Tinnitus Night sweats Hot flushes Sore knees Sore back Back pain Frequent urination Dry mouth Dry throat