Chinese Medicine and Herbs for Back Pain
& Sciatica
A view of back pain
Causes of back pain according to Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture for Back Pain
Herbs for back pain
Herbal consultations for Back Pain by e-mail
The cause isn't always clear when you look only with machines. Scans and scopes may reveal problems. But righting the qi is the best solution.
A Patient's Guide to Chinese Medicine
by Joel Harvey Schreck
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Sometimes back pain is a mystery, but not to everybody.
Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine see back pain differently. Where Western doctors see a solid nerve, TCM doctors see the flow of energy (qi). To the practitioner of Chinese medicine, pain means that flow is impaired. The obstruction may be visible or invisible.
Chiropractors can sometimes relieve back pain by adjusting the vertebra, temporarily freeing the flow of qi. But adjustment does not correct the root of abherrant qi.
Acupuncturists and Chinese herbologists often heal back pain when others fail, because Chinese medicine is about understanding what influences the qi. The qi is influenced by both mind and matter, and Qi will influence mind and matter as well. Body structures will ultimately conform to the qi.
Several Causes of Back Pain - lower and upper
STUCK QI - Channel Pain - Flow No Go
There are at least ten separate flows of energy traversing the back. Much back pain is a sign of obstruction or constraint of qi in the channels. Old or new injuries, emotional constraint, anatomical obstructions, and other events can constrain the qi of the channels.
EXCESS QI - Upper Back Pain - Congested Heat
Upper back pain is commonly caused by interior heat which rises in the channels (heat rises) and lodges in the neck, shoulders, and head causing tension in the muscles.
WEAK QI - Lower Back Pain - Low Batteries
Energy is stored in the low back, keeping the back strong, and holding the spine erect. Depletion of this energy (kidney qi) will weaken the lower back enabling injuries to occur. Stress, injury, illness, overwork, excessive sex, drugs, and over stimulation of the brain, drain the kidney qi and weaken the lower back.
Acupuncture for Back Pain
Acupuncture may be Chinese medicine's best modality for treating pain. Perhaps 70% of my acupuncture patients are being treated for various kinds of pain. By far, low back pain is the most common. This is probably because, short of giving pain killers, Western medicine can do little for back pain sufferers. Acupuncture, on the other hand, can often do much more.
Patients suffering from back pain can expect points to be used in the general area of the pain, but not always. Sometimes the acupuncturist will ask where it hurts, and (if the anatomy permits) insert a needle at that point. These points are known as ashi points, meaning "that's the spot" points. Acupuncture points may also be selected at different spots along relevant channels that supply the effected areas. For example the point UB 40, located behind the knee will often be chosen to treat low back pain, because the UB channel passes through the lower back. Similarly, the point SI 3, at the outer edge of the 5th finger, can be used to treat problems with the upper back and neck. More on acupuncture for back pain
Herbal Remedies for Back Pain
Upper Back Pain
A commonly used herbal medicine for this condition is Ge Gen Wan (Pueraria Combination). A similar tablet version is Pueraria 10 tablets.
GE GEN WAN
Ge gen, Ma huang, Sheng jiang, Gui zhi, Bai shao, Gan cao, Da zao.
200 tabs take 8 pills 3 times a day. One week supply.
4-pack GE GEN WAN SAVE
Lower Back Pain also called LBBQ (Lower Back and Body Pills) is a version for the Chinese Medicine known as Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan or Low Back Pill. This formula is excellent for helping circulation in the lower body, but it's action as a kidney stregnthener is mild. It is made for long term use. Its effects are not usually immediate.
LOW BACK PILLS
for Lower Body CirculationDo not take during cold or flu.
Angelica Duhuo
Wild Ginger Root
Siler
Gentian Root
Loranthus
Rubber Tree Bark
Ox Knee Root
Cinnamon Bark
Dang Gui
Sichuan Lovage
Chinese Foxglove
Peony Root
Hoelin Mushroom
Chinese Licorice Root
DOSAGE
2-3 capsules, 2-3 times a day
Mail Order Call Toll Free:
877-922.4372100 capsules 500 mgs
Golden Book Pill is the oldest and most trustworthy medicine for stregnthening kidney energy, both yin and yang. This herbal blend is also called Gui Fu Di Huang Wan or Jin Gui Di Huang Wan or Sexoton pills. It's many names testifies to its ancient and widespread use. It is made for long term use. Its effects are not usually immediate.
Golden Book Pills
for general "Kidney Deficiency"
A must for everyone over 50.
Do not take during cold or flu.100 capsules 500 mgs.
Chinese foxglove root - shu di huang
Wild yam root - shan yao
Cornelian cherry fruit - shan zhu yu
Hoelin mushroom - fu ling
Tree peony root bark - mu dan pi
Water Plantain - ze xie
Aconite root extract - fu zi
Cinnamon bark - rou gui
DOSAGE
2-3 capsules, 2-3 times a day
Mail Order Call Toll Free:
877-922.4372
If your deficiency is clearly a Kidney Yang deficiency, with accompanying signs of coldness, remedies such as Chuang Yao Tonic Pills are useful as well. Kidney Yin deficiencies can be treated with Liu Wei Di Huang, or Da Bu Yin Wan .
E-MAIL CONSULTATIONS for HERBS & CHINESE MEDICINE for BACK PAIN
After purchasing a consultation
e-mail to: questions@drshen.com
Information on this site is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional. Shen Herb Inc.makes no claims as to efficacy or safety of products appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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