Acupuncture for Acute Lumbar Back Pain-Man's Middle

The complaint of acute back pain is among the most common medical conditions.  Most individuals recover completely by simply avoiding strain to their spine. Patients often find help from ice, heat, and NSAIDs like Advil or anti-spasm medications.  If you have tried these things for a week or two and your symptoms are not relieved or lessened in severity,  the next step is to seek medical evaluation or treatment.  

Holistic treatments are popular and often as successful as traditional medical treatments for many types of back pain. These treatments are often safe and as effective as medicines used for treatment of back pain.  Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for acute back pain in a recent research study published in Pain. 2012 Sep;153(9):1883-9.   One of the more interesting acupuncture points used to treat acute or sudden lumbar back pain is Renzhong or Man's Middle (GV-26).  According to the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic-4000 B. C., "When the disease is below, select points from above."  Renzhong, Du-26, is located close to the end of the meridian called the Governing vessel (GV) and is a clinically important point for treating the origin of the GV at the lumbar spine.  When the lumbar pain is acute and located near the midline or lateral costal areas, the point is needled while the patient stands rotates and bends the waist.  Coincidentally, this point is also used to treat loss of consciousness and calming of the mind.

One aspect of back pain that is often overlooked or marginalized is the strength of the abdominal muscles.  Many of the muscles have insertion points on spinal processes.  If a person has flaccid abdominal muscle tone, the spine will also be less able to carry out tasks without straining the back.  Overweight and aging are also contributors to weak spine, poor posture and flaccid muscle tone.  Gravity pushes down on these joints and adversely impacted by the added weight we carry.  In clinic, another cause of acute lumbar back pain is sometimes related to lesions or obstructions in the large intestine.  In this case, digestive acupuncture points are used in addition to Renzhong and other points indicated for back pain.  Herbal formulas are also helpful to ease pain, inflammation and move blood to transport dead blood and tissue fluid from the injured site and bring fresh blood and healing elements to the site.

Unfortunately, back pain can be among the most difficult and frustrating problems for patients and the people who treat them.
 The most frustrating aspect in treatment of back pain is that there is no "magic bullet." The good news is that there are holistic options that can be used to effectively treat acute back pain.