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.
Waist pain and soreness 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 waist pain and soreness 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 waist pain and soreness is often associated with fever, face pimple and facial plaque in the pattern “Damp-Cold”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause waist pain and soreness.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of waist pain and soreness we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the four medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat waist pain and soreness.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause waist pain and soreness
In Chinese Medicine waist pain and soreness 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.
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wei Ling Tang, a formula used for Damp-Cold
Damp-Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi), Soggy (Ru)
In addition to waist pain and soreness, other symptoms associated with Damp-Cold include fever, face pimple and facial plaque.
Damp-Cold is often treated with Wei Ling Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wei Ling Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination".
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the king ingredient for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
In addition to waist pain and soreness, other symptoms associated with Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency include irritability, tidal fever and hot palms and soles.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Lupus.
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Softshell Turtle Shells - Bie Jia - as a key herb). Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from deficiency", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin and clears Heat".
Two herbal formulas that might help with waist pain and soreness
Wei Ling Tang
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wei Ling Tang help with waist pain and soreness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Cold' of which waist pain and soreness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Cold include fever, face pimple and facial plaque.
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Why might Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang help with waist pain and soreness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency' of which waist pain and soreness is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Lupus.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat waist pain and soreness
Why might Black Atractylodes Rhizome (Cang Zhu) help with waist pain and soreness?
Because it is a key herb in Wei Ling Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Cold' (a pattern with waist pain and soreness as a symptom)
Black Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight.
Why might Softshell Turtle Shell (Bie Jia) help with waist pain and soreness?
Because it is a key herb in Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with waist pain and soreness as a symptom)
Softshell Turtle Shells is a Neutral herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes Yin and subdues exuberant Yang. Resolves hardness.
Why might Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with waist pain and soreness?
Because it is a key herb in Wei Ling Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Cold' (a pattern with waist pain and soreness as a symptom)
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Why might Sweet Wormwood Herb (Qing Hao) help with waist pain and soreness?
Because it is a key herb in Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with waist pain and soreness as a symptom)
Sweet Wormwood Herbs is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Treats malaria. Treats summer Heat and clears symptoms of deficient Heat. Clears Blood Heat and stops bleeding.
Conditions associated with waist pain and soreness
Other symptoms often associated with waist pain and soreness
Fever Irritability Face pimple Facial plaque Eczema Swollen ankle Neck pain Back pain Psoriasis Mouth ulcers