Lower back pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common physical complaints; almost everyone has to deal with it at some point. The pain can arise suddenly after an awkward movement, lifting a heavy object or a sports injury, but it can also develop gradually and persist for weeks to months.

The complaints range from a nagging stiffness to a sharp pain that makes moving difficult. Sometimes the pain remains limited to the lower back, but it can also radiate to the buttocks, groin or legs. Lower back pain can therefore have a major impact on work, sport, sleep and daily activities.

Although many acute back complaints recover on their own, early treatment can help to reduce pain and muscle tension, support the natural recovery process and improve the resilience of the back. With recurring or long-standing complaints it is moreover important not only to treat the symptoms, but also to look at the underlying cause.

Recognisable complaints

People with lower back pain often recognise one or more of the following complaints:

Western conditions in which lower back pain can play a role

Lower back pain is a symptom that can occur with various Western diagnoses, such as:

Possible causes

Lower back pain can have various causes. Sometimes there is a clear trigger, such as an awkward movement or a sports injury, but often the pain arises gradually. Common causes are:

What can acupuncture do?

Acupuncture is aimed at supporting and regulating bodily functions during treatment, such as circulation, muscle tension and the body's capacity for recovery. The treatment is tailored to your personal situation and can be adjusted over the course of the treatment, depending on how your complaints develop.

Depending on the nature of your complaints, acupuncture can offer support with:

Acupuncture can be used both on its own and as part of a broader approach. Depending on the cause of the complaints, a combination with physiotherapy, exercise therapy, osteopathy or other forms of manual therapy can contribute to an optimal recovery. Where needed, the treatment can be supplemented with cupping, moxa, lifestyle advice or targeted exercises.

What can Chinese herbal medicine do?

Chinese herbs are often used as a complement to acupuncture. Where acupuncture works during the treatment itself, herbs can support the body daily in between treatments. The herbal formula is tailored to your personal situation and can be adjusted over the course of the treatment. Because acupuncture and herbs often serve the same purpose, a certain overlap between the two forms of treatment is normal; that is precisely why they are regularly combined.

Depending on the underlying situation, herbs can offer support with:

How does Chinese medicine view lower back pain?

In Western medicine the diagnosis is often central. Chinese medicine looks mainly at which bodily functions are functioning less well and how various complaints are connected.

Chinese medicine links bodily functions to organ systems. Such an organ system is not the same as the anatomical organ in Western medicine, but stands for a collection of functions. In lower back pain the Kidney organ system in particular is relevant: in Chinese medicine this is seen as the basis of the overall resilience of the body and has a strong relationship with the lower back and the bones. Each organ system is moreover connected to a meridian, along which Qi and Blood circulate through the body.

When one or more organ systems function less well, a recognisable combination of complaints often arises. Such a combination is called a pattern in Chinese medicine. As a result, two people with the same Western diagnosis or the same complaint can nevertheless receive a different treatment. The patterns that occur most often with lower back pain are:

Impaired circulation (Qi and Blood stagnation)

When the circulation of muscles and connective tissue decreases, pain can arise that is sharp, stabbing or clearly present in one spot. This pattern often arises after an awkward movement, a sports injury or prolonged overuse. The pain can usually be pinpointed well and moving can be painful.

Regularly seen with: lumbago, muscle and tendon injuries, a herniated disc, SI joint complaints, facet joint syndrome.

Cold and Damp

Some back complaints feel heavy, stiff and deep. Many people notice that the complaints worsen in cold or damp weather and, conversely, improve with warmth or gentle movement. The back can feel as if it is "stuck" and is stiff especially in the morning.

Can occur with: chronic lower back pain, osteoarthritis, long-standing muscle and connective tissue complaints, recurring stiffness of the lower back.

Damp-Heat

In some people back pain is accompanied by a heavy or warm feeling in the lower back, sometimes with an inflammatory sensation or complaints of the urinary tract or pelvis.

Can occur, among other things, with: urinary tract infections, kidney stones, inflammation in the pelvic area, inflammatory joint complaints.

Stress and muscle tension (Liver Qi stagnation)

Stress often has a direct influence on muscle tension. The lower back feels tense or cramped and complaints increase during busy or emotionally demanding periods. In addition, there are often complaints such as neck and shoulder tension, headache, irritability or a driven feeling.

Regularly seen with: chronic muscle tension, myofascial pain, recurring back complaints, stress-related back pain.

Reduced resilience (Kidney or Spleen deficiency)

With long-standing back complaints a reduced resilience of the body sometimes plays a role. The pain is usually dull or nagging, becomes worse after exertion or at the end of the day and improves with rest. Often other complaints are also present, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, cold feet or a slower recovery time.

Can go together with: chronic lower back pain, wear of the spine, osteoporosis, prolonged overuse, recurring back complaints.

Prognosis

The duration of a course of treatment depends on the cause, the severity and the duration of the complaints. Acute back complaints often respond quickly to treatment and improvement is regularly noticeable within a few treatments. Chronic back complaints usually require more time, especially when fatigue, wear or prolonged muscle tension play a role.

For a lasting recovery it is important not only to reduce the pain, but also to pay attention to posture, movement patterns and muscle strength. Targeted exercises and an active lifestyle can support recovery and reduce the chance of recurring complaints. Acupuncture can be combined well with physiotherapy, exercise therapy, osteopathy or other suitable forms of treatment.

When is it wise to contact a doctor?

Although lower back pain is usually harmless, it is wise to seek medical help immediately in the case of:

Contact

Do you suffer from lower back pain and would you like to know whether acupuncture can mean something for you? During a first consultation we discuss your complaints, medical history and any underlying factors in detail. On that basis a treatment plan is drawn up that suits your situation. You can book an appointment online right away or get in touch for more information.

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