The Back

To be used as a supplement to a balanced diet when treating back pain.* The Western perspective on back pain most often occurs at the lumbar, lumbosacral or sacroiliac regions of the back. It may also be accompanied by pain radiating to the legs along the sciatic nerve distribution. The view is that acute back pain with sudden onset is due to traumatic or overuse injury. Chronic back pain is more likely due to structural inadequacy or intervertebral disc abnormality. Sciatica has been associated in more than half of reported cases to be a result of outlet syndrome wherein the lateral rotator muscles of the hip joint impinge on the sciatic nerve as it emerges from the sciatic foramen.* According to Traditional Chinese Medicine back pain arises from an attack by Wind accompanied by Cold and/or Damp stagnation in the muscles and fascia which in turn leads to blocked Channels. This scenario then causes muscle spasm as well as dysfunction of Qi and Blood movement. Kidney deficiency can also lead to back pain and makes it easier for the above conditions to occur. So the internal and external pathogenic causes can potentiate each other to bring about back pain.* TCM Indications: Back pain with Kidney deficiency marked by Cold and pain in the loins and knees, limited movement, soreness with weakness or numbness of joints, preference for warmth and aversion to cold.* Tongue: Pale tongue and white fur. Pulse: Deep and weak pulse. Acute care clinical TCM research in China shows that this formula strengthens the body's immune resistance, relieves pain, relieves muscle spasms, promotes circulation and relieves inflammation.*