Lumbar joint is the pivot of the whole body and connects the upper and lower parts of the body. It has high physical activity level, wide range of motion, and heavy load; meanwhile, it receives no protection and support from the ribs or hipbones, which makes it prone to be injured. Therefore, lumbar pain is one of the common and frequent clinical symptoms. In Chinese medicine, there are many methods to treat low pain internally or externally. Methods of acupuncture and moxibustion are the most commonly used and effective ones, though they are still not well sorted.

Following Dr. Zhou Meisheng many years in clinical practice, the author witnessed that Dr. Zhou had applied the theories, methods, formula, and medicinals of decoction as well as those of acupuncture and moxibustionmethodically and comprehensively. His experienced cases together with treatments of the lumbar pain fall into eight categories.

1. Ashi Points for Lumbar Pain

Characteristics: Fixed pain.

Point selection: Locate the tender point at the center of painful area.

Treatment Methods: Regular acupuncture needling or fire needling (to replace moxibustion). Fire needle can be replaced by a pin, which is burned red and then inserted perpendicularly to a depth of 3mm. The point can be pressed for a moment before the withdrawal of the needle. One Ashi point can be applied 1-2 times. Usually, one Ashi point is involved in the treatment.

2. Combination of Local and Distal Points

Characteristics: Lumbar pain, affected lower limb movement.

Point selection: Combine local points and distal points (along or not along the course of meridians, on the upper or lower limbs). Commonly used local points are Ashi points or corresponding HuatuoJiaji points on the low back, BL 25 (Dachangshu), and BL 23 (Shenshu). Distal points include BL 40 (Weizhong), GB 34 (Yanglingquan), BL 57 (Chengshan), and BL 60 (Kunlun). In general, only one group of points, a local one and a distal one, is selected according to the location oflumbar pain.

Treatment Methods: Acupuncture is the main treatment method. Insert the needle into the local point and retain needle after obtaining qi. Then insert the needle into the distal point along or not along the course of the meridian. Increase the stimulation by manipulation after obtaining qi and retain the needle when qi goes directly to the affected part. Then manipulate the first needle with drainage method and manipulate the second needle to push qi to the affected area. Repeat for three times until the lumbar pain is relieved. The local point is for drainage and the distal point is for supplementation. Both hands can manipulate the needlessimultaneously.

3. Treating Yin for Yang disorders

Characteristics: Low back pain referring to the interior aspects of lower limbs and the lower abdomen.

Point selection: Select points on the back for diseases located in the front is treating yang for yin disorders; select points on the front for diseases located in the back is treating yin for yang diseases. CV 7 (Yinjiao) on the anterior line can be selected for lumbar pain around the posterior line. ST 25 (Tianshu) located on the lateral aspect of the body can be applied for ipsilateral lumbar pain. The abdominal point corresponding to the painful part can also be selected.

Treatment Methods: Compared with acupuncture, moxibustion with a fixing device has shown optimal and long-lasting effect. It is desired that there is a moxibustion feeling, which travels from the front to the low back.

4. Combination of Points on the Upper and Lower Limbs

Characteristics: Lumbar pain which is unfixed or with inability to exert strength for urination or defecation.

Point selection: Select the essential points associated with the specific diseases on both the upper and lower limbs. SI 4 (Wangu)/SI 3 (Houxi) on the upper limbs and ST 36 (Zusanli)/BL 62 (Shenmai) on the lower limbs are often selected. Ipsilateral or contralateral points on the upper and lower limbs can be selected.

Treatment Methods: Acupuncture is the main treatment method. Both hands can manipulate the needles simultaneously to drive qi from the upper and lower body to meet and go to the affected area.

5. Combination of Back-Shu point and Front-Mu point

Characteristics: Large range of lumbar pain which referring to the side-rib or the private parts.

Point selection: Select front-Mu pointon the abdomen and back-Shu point on the back. For instance, combine CV 5 (Shimen)/CV 7 (Yinjiao)on the abdomen and BL 22 (Sanjiaoshu) on the back. The second combination is GB25 (Jingmen) on the abdomen and BL 23 (Shenshu) on the back. The third group includes BL 25 (Dachangshu) and ST 25 (Tianshu).

Treatment Methods: Either moxibustion or acupuncture is used. Select points on the abdomen and the back at the same time or in turns.

To be continued...

Source: 《针灸临床杂志》1993年第9卷第6期。作者：魏从建周楣声（指导），编校/Alice。