Upper back stiffness 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.
Upper back stiffness 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 upper back stiffness 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 upper back stiffness is often associated with dry stools, headaches and dizziness in the pattern “Liver Yang Rising”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of upper back stiffness 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 upper back stiffness.
Liver Yang Rising, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause upper back stiffness
In Chinese Medicine upper back stiffness is a symptom for the pattern "Liver Yang Rising". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yang Rising
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red
Long term Liver Yin Deficiency causes Liver Yang rising upwards. The treatment should be focused on subduing rising Yang as well as nourishing Liver Yin and Blood. It is also called Arrogant Liver Yang.
In addition to upper back stiffness, other symptoms associated with Liver Yang Rising include dry stools, headaches and dizziness.
Liver Yang Rising is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu 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: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
Five herbal formulas that might help with upper back stiffness
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with upper back stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff upper back is a symptom.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with upper back stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff upper back is a symptom.
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Source date: 1958 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Calms the Liver. Extinguishes wind. Invigorates the blood. Clears heat. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys.
Why might Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin help with upper back stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff upper back is a symptom.
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with upper back stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff upper back is a symptom.
Da Chai Hu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang. Drains internal clumping due to Heat.
Why might Da Chai Hu Tang help with upper back stiffness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which stiff upper back is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for upper back stiffness
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat upper back stiffness
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with upper back stiffness?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat upper back stiffness as a symptom, like Juan Bi Tang or Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Host-Wood Poria (Fu Shen) help with upper back stiffness?
Because Host-Wood Poria is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat upper back stiffness as a symptom, like Zhen Zhu Mu Wan or Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin for instance.
Host-Wood Poria is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Heart.
Its main actions are: Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with upper back stiffness?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat upper back stiffness as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with upper back stiffness?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat upper back stiffness as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan 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 Chrysanthemum Flower (Ju Hua) help with upper back stiffness?
Because Chrysanthemum Flower is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat upper back stiffness as a symptom, like Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Chrysanthemum Flowers is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and clears Heat. Relieves Wind-Heat from the Liver channel and clears the eyes. Cools Heat of the Liver and Kidney due to Yin Deficiency. Relieves patterns of Liver Yang rising.
Other symptoms often associated with upper back stiffness
Dry stools Headaches Dizziness Tinnitus Deafness Blurred vision Dry mouth Dry throat Insomnia Irritability