Module 5: Back and Lumbar Pain

Question 1

The Lumbus is the mansion of the

Answer 1

Kidneys

Question 2

Two ways to look at lumbar pain

Answer 2

obstruction of the local channels and failure of the Kidneys to nourish the lumbus.

Question 3

patient has no history of back pain, acute onset, pain has a tight sensation, pain in the
neck, shoulders of joints, aggravated by cold weather:

Answer 3

exterior wind cold attacks the taiyang

Question 4

chronic or intermittent attack which is aggravated by cold or damp weather, relieved
by warmth, dull or vague pain with a sensation of stiffness, range of motion is normal:

Answer 4

obstruction of wind damp cold

Question 5

back pain with a burning sensation that is relieved by cold, aversion to heat:

Answer 5

damp
heat accumulation

Question 6

acute onset, history of injury, extremely sharp pain with fixed location, resistant to
pressure, pain is aggravated by movement, back’s range of motion is limited:

Answer 6

blood stagnation

Question 7

chronic and persistent low back pain that is vague, relieved by rest and aggravated by
overwork and cold weather:

Answer 7

Kidney yang deficiency

Question 8

chronic back pain that is accompanied by pain in the lower back and knees,
sensation of heat in the palms and soles of the feet:

Answer 8

Kidney yin deficiency

Question 9

low back pain that is relieved by slight movement, induced or aggravated by the
body remaining in one position for an extended period of time:

Answer 9

injury due to standing for
extended periods of time (lao sun) or repetitive stress

Question 10

Fever and aversion to cold, headache, stiff neck, pain in the lower back, pain in the eyes, pain
behind the leg along the channel

Answer 10

Wind Cold Attacking the UB Channel

Question 11

• Has a rapid onset
• Causes rapid changes
• Changes locations
• Induces paralysis and convulsions but also stiffness
• Causes numbness and tingling
• Affects the top of the body
• Affects the lungs first
• Affects the liver
• Affects the skin
• Causes itching

Answer 11

Wind

Question 12

• Injures the yang
• Congeals the blood
• Contracts
• Causes clear discharges
• Pertains to the Kidneys

Answer 12

Cold

Question 13

• Heavy
• Dirty
• Sticky
• Affects the lower body
• Internally created in the middle jiao
• Difficult to treat
• Usually chronic

Answer 13

Damp

Answer 14

Wind Cold Damp Bi (Painful Obstruction) (page 681)

Question 15

Frequent and urgent urination, burning on urination, difficult urination (stopping in the middle
of flow), dark-yellow/turbid urine, blood in the urine, fever. thirst but with no desire to drink,
hypogastric fullness and pain, a feeling of heat.
Tongue: Thick sticky yellow tongue coating on the root with red spots
Pulse: Slippery-Rapid and slightly Wiry on the left Rear position

Answer 15

Urinary Bladder Damp Heat

Answer 16

Local Qi and Blood Stagnation in the Urinary Bladder Channel

Question 17

Lower backache, dizziness. tinnitus, cold and weak knees, a sensation of cold in the lower back,
a feeling of cold, weak legs. bright-white complexion, tiredness, lassitude, abundant clear
urination, urination at night, apathy, edema of the legs, infertility in women, loose stools,
depression, impotence, premature ejaculation, low sperm count, cold and thin sperm,
decreased libido.
Tongue: Pale and wet.
Pulse: Deep-Weak.

Answer 17

Kidney Yang Xu

Question 18

Dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, poor memory, hardness of hearing, night sweating, dry mouth and
throat at night, lower backache, ache in bones, nocturnal emissions, constipation, dark scanty
urine, infertility, premature ejaculation, tiredness, lassitude, depression, slight anxiety,
Tongue: normal-coloured without coating.
Pulse: floating-empty pulse

Answer 18

Kidney Yin Xu

Question 19

Soreness and weakness of the lower back, weak knees, clear frequent urination, weak-stream
urination, abundant urination, dribbling after urination, incontinence of urine. enuresis,
urination at night. Nocturnal emissions without dreams, premature ejaculation,
spermatorrhoea, tiredness, a feeling of cold, cold limbs, in women prolapse of the uterus,
chronic white vaginal discharge, a dragging-down feeling in the lower abdomen, recurrent
miscarriage.
Tongue: Pale.
Pulse: Deep-Weak especially in the Rear positions.

Answer 19

Kidney Qi Not Firm

Question 20

In children: poor bone development, late closure of fontanelle, deafness, mental dullness or
retardation
In adults: softening of bones, weakness of knees and legs, poor memory, loose teeth, falling
hair or premature greying of hair, weakness of sexual activity, lower backache, infertility,
sterility, primary amenorrhoea, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, blurred vision, absentmindedness,
decreased mental sharpness
Tongue: Without coating if this pattern occurs against a background of Kidney-Yin deficiency.
Pale if against a background of Kidney-Yang deficiency.
Pulse: Floating-Empty or Leather.

Answer 20

Kidney Essence Deficiency

Question 21

Shortness of breath on exertion, rapid and weak breathing, difficulty in inhaling, chronic cough
and/or asthma, spontaneous sweating, cold limbs, cold limbs after sweating, swelling of the
face, thin body, mental listlessness, clear urination during asthma attack, lower backache,
dizziness, tinnitus
Tongue: Pale.
Pulse: Deep-Weak-Tight.

Answer 21

Kidneys Failing to Receive Qi