Lumbar disc herniation
AliasLow back and leg pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation (Lumbago and Leg Pain)
In traditional Chinese medicine, lumbar intervertebral disc herniation is referred to as "Lumbago and Leg Pain," which falls under the category of bone injury diseases. According to classical texts in traditional Chinese internal medicine, the disease is often caused by deficiencies in the liver and kidney, malnutrition of the tendons and bones, and external factors such as overexertion, falls, and sprains, leading to obstructed circulation of Qi and blood in the lumbar meridians. This obstruction results in pain and stiffness, which further manifests as symptoms such as lumbago and leg pain, limited mobility, and so on.
In clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, the core pathogenesis of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation is attributed to deficiencies in the liver and kidney, malnutrition of the tendons and bones, and Qi stagnation and blood stasis. Common precipitating factors include long-term standing, incorrect posture, heavy physical labor, and lumbar trauma. During differentiation of symptoms, it is important to differentiate between cold and heat, deficiency and excess, such as Qi stagnation and blood stasis manifesting as sharp pain in the lower back with fixed tender points that worsen with movement; wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome presenting with cold and heavy pain in the lower back and legs, exacerbated by rainy and cloudy weather; and liver and kidney deficiency presenting with soreness and tenderness in the lower back that worsens with fatigue and improves with rest. The overall direction of treatment suggests focusing on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating Qi and alleviating pain, dispelling wind and cold, removing dampness and unblocking the meridians, nourishing the liver and kidney, and strengthening the tendons and bones. In clinical practice, the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation should be tailored to the specific condition of the patient, employing comprehensive treatment methods to achieve the goal of alleviating symptoms and improving function.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Stagnation and blood stasis
Main Manifestations: Back pain like a needle, fixed pain point, exacerbated by movement
Management Approach: Promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, regulate Qi and relieve pain
Wind-Cold Damp Arthritis Syndrome
Main Manifestations: Cold and heavy pain in the lower back and legs, exacerbated by rainy and cloudy weather
Management Approach: Expel wind and cold, eliminate dampness and unblock the meridians
Deficiency of liver and kidney
Main Manifestations: Low back soreness, weakness, and pain exacerbated by fatigue, relieved by rest
Management Approach: Tonify the liver and kidneys, strengthen the tendons and bones
The above syndrome information is based on traditional Chinese medicine textbooks and clinical standards. Specific differentiation should be completed by a practicing traditional Chinese medicine physician in person.
Physician's Clinical Insights
For patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation and pronounced lumbago and leg pain, the symptoms are often related to kidney deficiency, dampness, and blood stasis. The direction of treatment is to warm the kidneys, strengthen the bones, and remove dampness to unblock the meridians.
— Li Mingjiu Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
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This page is for the popular science of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Specific diagnosis should be completed by a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in person.
This article has been reviewed by licensed TCM physicians at Hangzhou Kezhentang TCM Clinic. It is for TCM popular science reference only and does not involve specific treatment plan recommendations.
References: Internal Medicine of TCM (13th Five-Year Plan Textbook), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Effectiveness Standards for TCM Diseases and Syndromes (ZY/T001.1-94), Classification and Codes of TCM Diseases and Syndromes (GB/T 15657-2021)