Ancient Chinese Healing Techniques Effectively Relieve Back Pain

Chronic back pain is a common ailment, often caused by misuse or overuse of the body in daily activities. It can be an aggravating and even disabling condition, however, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds a key to providing relief. Consider the following story: A man, aged 63, who is a driver for a living, drives five hours a day, and has suffered back pain for almost ten years. His friend recommended he try acupuncture for its effective treatments for relieving pain. When he visited the doctor, the driver emphasized from the beginning: He did not want any massage for it causes him pain, and he did not want any Chinese medicine as it has a bitter taste. He just wanted to try acupuncture—period. Symptoms and Consultation The purpose of acupuncture is to adjust the imbalance caused by phlegm, congestion, or qi (vital energy) stagnation in the body. The driver presented as overweight, had a thick coating on his tongue, symptoms of phlegm blockage, and a sedentary lumbar spine with a lumbar disc protrusion—found to be the location of unbalances and blockages in his body. He was treated with acupuncture, gua sha, and cupping at the back of his waist to remove dampness and strengthen his kidney qi. Gua sha is a TCM therapy that involves scraping the skin with a massage tool to improve circulation. This ancient Chinese healing technique offers a unique approach to better health, addressing conditions such as chronic pain. Cupping is a TCM therapy in which special cups are applied on the skin for a few minutes to create suction. Cupping addresses pain and inflammation, benefits blood flow, and induces states of relaxation and well-being. Fundamental Substances of Life In TCM, “qi,” “blood,” and ”fluids” are the most important fundamental substances necessary for life. The concept of qi can be understood as the “vital energy” that constitutes life in the body. If the qi, blood, and fluids are not properly transformed and transported, “dampness” accumulates in the body. Dampness congeals into phlegm when present for prolonged periods of time. In TCM, dampness is a pathogenic factor, associated with what is sticky, heavy, downward moving, and slows things down. No Pain After Treatment After two visits of treatment, the driver reported that he felt no more pain even when driving. When once he feared getting into his car due to pain and discomfort, he was now able to focus on his job. Now a satisfied patient, the driver returned in the fourth week for weight loss treatment and has plans to do more conditioning on his kidneys and liver. The patient was given a prescription for food therapy, designed to primarily nourish his liver and kidneys. Continuing treatments are aimed at improving his diet, using acupuncture to remove phlegm, and implementing exercise routines. Treatments Vary for Different Cases There are a variety of treatments for lower back pain in TCM. Some provide results in one acupuncture visit, while others are more responsive to other treatment methods. When pain is prominent, TCM treats it directly—once it has been subdued, the cause of the pain is then explored. Patients are trained to develop self-awareness of daily habits that can be the root cause of pain or discomfort in tandem with care by the practitioner. By learning self-conditioning and self-maintenance, the body will improve more efficiently. Dr. Serene Feng has been a certified, licensed acupuncturist and certified herbalist in Australia and America for nearly 20 years. She obtained a Doctorate Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine in 2017, and specialized in women’s health, anxiety, and pain management. She is also licensed to practice acupuncture in New York and New Jersey.