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 irritability, tidal fever and hot palms and soles in the pattern “Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of waist pain and soreness we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause waist pain and soreness
In Chinese Medicine waist pain and soreness is a symptom for the pattern "Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
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
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
When Yin Deficiency lasts for a long it may lead to Interior Heat
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".
A herbal formula that might help with waist pain and soreness
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 two Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat waist pain and soreness
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.
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.
Conditions associated with waist pain and soreness
Other symptoms often associated with waist pain and soreness
Irritability Fever Flushed face Red skin rashes Blotches dotted over the skin Arthritic symptoms Constipation Scanty and dark urine Tidal fever Hot palms and soles