HERNIATED DISC

GENERAL

Clinical Manifestations
  • Spinal disc herniation, also known as a slipped disc, is a medical condition affecting the spine in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion to bulge out beyond the damaged outer rings. Disc herniation is usually due to age-related degeneration of the outer ring, known as the anulus fibrosus, although trauma, lifting injuries, or straining have been implicated as well. Tears are almost always postero-lateral (on the back of the sides) owing to the presence of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the spinal canal. This tear in the disc ring may result in the release of chemicals causing inflammation, which may directly cause severe pain even in the absence of nerve root compression.

    Disc herniations are normally a further development of a previously existing disc protrusion, a condition in which the outermost layers of the anulus fibrosus are still intact, but can bulge when the disc is under pressure. In contrast to a herniation, none of the central portion escapes beyond the outer layers. Most minor herniations heal within several weeks. Anti-inflammatory treatments for pain associated with disc herniation, protrusion, bulge, or disc tear are generally effective. Severe herniations may not heal of their own accord and may require surgery. The condition is widely referred to as a slipped disc, but this term is not medically accurate as the spinal discs are firmly attached between the vertebrae and cannot "slip" out of place.
Treatment Principle
Herb Formulas
Points

WIND-DAMP

Clinical Manifestations
  • Upper and lower back migratory pain
  • Low back pain is often accompanied by heaviness
  • Pain may radiate to the lower extremities
  • Numbness of the skin
  • The condition changes with weather changes
  • Slight aversion to Wind and Cold
  • Heaviness in the body
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white or Thin and yellow
  • P: Floating, thready and wiry
Treatment Principle
  • Dispel Wind
  • Eliminate Dampness
  • Disperse the blockage
  • Unblock the channels
Herb Formulas
Points
  • If the nucleus has moved posteriorly into the extradural space: Huatuojiaji points above and below the affected vertebra, DU-3, DU-4, DU-5, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24, UB 25, UB-26
  • If the nucleus has moved posteriorly and is putting pressure on the radichian nerve: Huatuojiaji points above and below the affected vertebra on the opposite side, DU-3, DU-4, DU-5, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24, UB 25, UB-26
  • For lateral pain on the Bladder channel: + UB-40 or UB-60
  • For central pain on the DU channel: + DU-1, DU-26, or DU-1, SI-3
  • For both lateral and central pain: + SI-3, UB-62
  • For buttock pain: + GB-30 or UB-54
  • For cold pain on the low back, buttocks and lower limbs: + moxa or moxa needle UB-36, UB-54, UB-57
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the thigh: + GB-31
  • For pain radiating to the posterior of the thigh: + UB-37
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the lower leg: + GB-34 or GB-39
  • For pain radiating to the limbs: + UB-57
  • For severe cold pain and cold limbs: + moxa or moxa needle DU-4
  • For lack of strength in the low back and knees: + KI-7
  • For digestive disruption: + SP-4
  • For lumbar and hip pain: + GB-29, UB-30
  • For lumbosacral and coccygeal pain: + LIV-9, UB-32 or Baliao

WIND-COLD-DAMP-BI - INITITAL STAGE

Clinical Manifestations
  • Chills and fever
  • Anhidrosis
  • Stiff and rigid neck, shoulders and upper back
  • Intolerance of Wind
  • Dislike of Cold
  • Inflammation
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle spasms
  • Mucosal swelling
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sensitivity to dust
  • Headache
  • Wind-Cold Bi (few joints affected, inflammation intense but short lived, changes over days or weeks)
  • T: Normal
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Floating and tight
Treatment Principle
  • Releases Wind-Cold in the exterior and muscle layer
  • Generate Fluids
  • Relieve muscle-ache of the neck
Herb Formulas
Points

WIND-COLD-DMAP BI WITH KIDNEY DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations
  • Lumbar spine deformities
  • Sciatica
  • Lumbago
  • Weak lower back
  • Stabbing pain
  • Pain is aggravated by weather changes
  • Fatigue
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Thready
Treatment Principle
  • Dispel Wind-Cold-Dampness
  • Control pain
  • Strengthen the sinews and bones
  • Tonify the Kidneys
  • Strengthen Yang
  • Tonify and nourish Qi and Blood
  • Tonify, invigorate and harmonize the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points

WIND-COLD-DAMP BI WITH KIDNEY AND LIVER DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations
  • Painful joints
  • Heavy and painful sensations at fixed locations in lower back and extremities with weakness and stiffness or hypertonicity and immobility
  • Aversion to Cold
  • Attraction to warmth
  • Palpitations
  • Pain in the midline and back during pregnancy
  • Pain worse at night General coldness
  • Sallow complexion
  • Wandering pain
  • Pale complexion
  • Shortness of breath
  • May be paresthesia and numbness
  • Cold pain in the low back and knees
  • Limited movement
  • Soreness, weakness and numbness of the joints
  • Tinnitus
  • Muscle spasms
  • Dizziness
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white or White and moist
  • P: Thin, weak and slow or Deep, thready and weak or slipper
Treatment Principle
  • Disperse Wind-Dampness
  • Stop Bi pain
  • Tonify the Kidneys and Liver
  • Tonify Qi
  • Nourish the Blood
Herb Formulas
Points

KIDNEY YANG DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations
  • Dull, lingering low back pain which feels cold, weak and aching and is worse with overwork and improved by lying down, rest, pressure warmth and massage
  • Weakness of the lower limbs which sometimes prevents walking or standing
  • Feeling chilled
  • Aversion to Cold, especially below the waist
  • Maybe shortness of breath
  • Cold limbs
  • General debility
  • Pale face
  • Urinary frequency with abundant, clear urine or
  • Oliguria with edema
  • Maybe nocturia
  • Lassitude
  • Withdrawn, subdued behavior
  • Knees feel cold and aching
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Impotence
  • Spermatorrhea
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Low libido
  • Female infertility ("uterus cold and infertile")
  • Maybe anorexia
  • Maybe loose stools
  • Maybe chronic diarrhea or "cock crow" diarrhea
  • T: Pale and swollen
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Deep and thready - maybe slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm and Reinforce Kidney Yang
  • Warm the channels
  • Scatter Cold
Herb Formulas
Points
  • If the nucleus has moved posteriorly into the extradural space: Huatuojiaji points above and below the affected vertebra, DU-3, DU-4, DU-5, KI-7, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24, UB 25, UB-26
  • If the nucleus has moved posteriorly and is putting pressure on the radichian nerve: Huatuojiaji points above and below the affected vertebra on the opposite side, DU-3, DU-4, DU-5, KI-7, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24, UB 25, UB-26
  • For lateral pain on the Bladder channel: + UB-40 or UB-60
  • For central pain on the DU channel: + DU-1, DU-26, or DU-1, SI-3
  • For both lateral and central pain: + SI-3, UB-62
  • For buttock pain: + GB-30 or UB-54
  • For cold pain on the low back, buttocks and lower limbs: + UB-36, UB-54, UB-57
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the thigh: + GB-31
  • For pain radiating to the posterior of the thigh: + UB-37
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the lower leg: + GB-34 or GB-39
  • For pain radiating to the limbs: + UB-57
  • For severe cold pain and cold limbs: + DU-4
  • For lack of strength in the low back and knees: + KI-7
  • For digestive disruption: + SP-4
  • For lumbar and hip pain: + GB-29, UB-30
  • For lumbosacral and coccygeal pain: + LIV-9, UB-32 or Baliao
  • For tinnitus: + moxa or moxa needle SJ-21
  • For dizziness: + moxa or moxa needle GB-20
  • For seminal emission: + moxa or moxa needle UB-52
  • For Yang exhaustion: + KI-3, SP-6
  • Moxa or moxa needle DU-4, KI-3, REN-4, UB-23
    For chronic diarrhea, rectal prolapse and Vanquished Yang: + moxa DU-20, REN-8
  • For Kidney Yang Deficiency impotence: moxa or moxa needle DU-4, DU-20, KI-3, REN-4, UB-23
  • For Kidney Yang Deficiency (Cock Crow) Diarrhea: moxa or moxa needle DU-20, KI-3, REN-4, UB-23

KIDNEY YANG DEFICIENCY WITH WATER FLOODING

Clinical Manifestations
  • Edema of whole body particularly at and below the waist
  • Pitting edema
  • Low back pain, aching and heaviness
  • Abdominal distention with full sensations
  • Oliguria
  • Cold limbs
  • Face gray and congested or pale
  • Feeling nervous and cold with mental weariness
  • In severe cases:
    Ascites
    Edema of scrotum
  • T: Pale and swollen
  • C: Thin, white or Thick, white and sticky
  • P: Deep and thready
  • With Water Flooding the Lungs:
    Cough with copious, thin watery phlegm
    Asthma with phlegmy sound (wheezing)
    Dyspnea
    Facial edema
    Edema of limbs
    Dysuria
    T: Pale and swollen
    C: White and moist or White and greasy
    P: Superficial and tight
Treatment Principle
  • Warm Kidneys
  • Promote diuresis
Herb Formulas
Points

KIDNEY YIN DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations
  • Dull aching, soreness or weakness in the low back which is often so weak that it hinders walking or standing
  • Pain worse with fatigue and better with lying down, rest, pressure and massage
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus or deafness
  • Poor memory
  • Five Sole Heat
  • Night sweats
  • Maybe afternoon fever
  • A dry mouth
  • Spermatorrhea or premature ejaculation
  • Aching in bones
  • Aching in leg and heel
  • T: Red
  • C: Little or None
  • P: Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Nourish Yin
  • Reinforce the Kidneys
  • Clear Heat
  • Harmonize the channels
Herb Formulas
Points
  • If the nucleus has moved posteriorly into the extradural space: Huatuojiaji points above and below the affected vertebra, DU-3, DU-4, DU-5, KI-7, SP-6, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24, UB 25, UB-26
  • If the nucleus has moved posteriorly and is putting pressure on the radichian nerve: Huatuojiaji points above and below the affected vertebra on the opposite side, DU-3, DU-4, DU-5, KI-7, SP-6, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24, UB 25, UB-26
  • For lateral pain on the Bladder channel: + UB-40 or UB-60
  • For central pain on the DU channel: + DU-1, DU-26, or DU-1, SI-3
  • For both lateral and central pain: + SI-3, UB-62
  • For buttock pain: + GB-30 or UB-54
  • For cold pain on the low back, buttocks and lower limbs: + moxa or moxa needle UB-36, UB-54, UB-57
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the thigh: + GB-31
  • For pain radiating to the posterior of the thigh: + UB-37
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the lower leg: + GB-34 or GB-39
  • For pain radiating to the limbs: + UB-57
  • For severe cold pain and cold limbs: + moxa or moxa needle DU-4
  • For lack of strength in the low back and knees: + KI-7
  • For digestive disruption: + SP-4
  • For lumbar and hip pain: + GB-29, UB-30
  • For lumbosacral and coccygeal pain: + LIV-9, UB-32 or Baliao
  • With Heart Fire: + KI-1, UB-15
  • With tinnitus: + GB-2
  • With a sore throat: + SP-6

KIDNEY JING DEFICIENCY BI WITH WIND-COLD-DAMP AND BLOOD STAGNATION

Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Leg pain
  • Preference for pressure and warmth
  • Pain worse at night
  • Limitation of joint movement
  • Local feeling of Cold
  • Stabbing pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Referred pain toward the legs
  • Lower back weakness
  • Nocturia
  • Stiffness of the back
  • Numbness of the legs
  • Feebleness of the knees
  • Tinnitus
  • T: Pale or Purplish
  • C: Thin and white or Thin, white and greasy
  • P: Slippery or Wiry or Thready
Treatment Principle
  • Dispel Wind-Cold-Damp
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Smooth the channels
  • Harmonize the collaterals
  • Benefit the muscles
  • Tonify Kidney Jing
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points

YIN AND YANG DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations
  • Abdominal pain
  • Irritability
  • Slight chills
  • Spasms of the calf muscles
  • Cramps in the hands
  • Weak legs
  • Hypertonicity of the extremities characterized by difficult flexion and extension
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Hiccup
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Sciatic pain
  • Severe and painful muscle spasms in the Stomach, bronchi, Gallbladder and uterus. Intestines
  • Shoulder pain
  • Pain in the head, body or limbs due to arterial spasms characterized by a severe pulling pain
  • T: Normal or Reddish
  • C: None or Yellowish
  • P: Wiry and rapid or Thready and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Soften the Liver
  • Nourish the Blood
  • Nourish Yin
  • Moderate painful spasms
  • Relieve pain
  • Harmonize the Middle Jiao
  • Replenish Body Fluids
Herb Formulas
Points

QI AND BLOOD STAGNATION

Clinical Manifestations
  • Sharp, lancinating low back and leg pain
  • Pain is in a fixed location
  • Pain is worse at night an better during the day
  • Pressure sometimes makes the spinal pain unbearable
  • Pain may radiate to the lower leg
  • Maybe numbness
  • A possible history of traumatic injury
  • Difficulty turning
  • Irritation and agitation
  • Dry stools
  • T: Purple and dark with possible static macules
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Deep, choppy and wiry
Treatment Principle
  • Move Qi
  • Invigorate the Blood
  • Dispel Stasis
  • Unblock the channels
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points
  • Ahshi points, DU-26, UB-40
  • For lateral pain on the Bladder channel: + UB-40 or UB-60
  • For central pain on the DU channel: + DU-1, DU-26, or DU-1, SI-3
  • For both lateral and central pain: + SI-3, UB-62
  • For buttock pain: + GB-30 or UB-54
  • For cold pain on the low back, buttocks and lower limbs: + UB-36, UB-54, UB-57
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the thigh: + GB-31
  • For pain radiating to the posterior of the thigh: + UB-37
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the lower leg: + GB-34 or GB-39
  • For pain radiating to the limbs: + UB-57
  • For severe cold pain and cold limbs: + DU-4
  • For lack of strength in the low back and knees: + KI-7
  • For digestive disruption: + SP-4
  • For lumbar and hip pain: + GB-29, UB-30
  • For lumbosacral and coccygeal pain: + LIV-9, UB-32 or Baliao
  • With menstrual irregularity: + SP-8, SP-10
  • For a thready pulse: + SP-6, ST-36
  • For flank: + GB-26

BLOOD STAGNATION WITH BLOOD DEFICIENCY

Clinical Manifestations
  • Herniated lumbar disc
  • Copious bleeding of dark purple blood
  • The blood is sticky during menstruation
  • May or may not have clots
  • Menstrual cycle is shortened (early menstruation)
  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Pale, lusterless complexion
  • Pale nails
  • Abdominal pain
  • Irregular menstruation with little flow
  • Fixed lower abdominal pain
  • Vertigo
  • Tinnitus
  • Pale lips
  • May be amenorrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Menstruation may also be accompanied by distention and pain
  • T: Pale
  • C: Normal
  • P: Thin and weak or Thin and choppy
Treatment Principle
  • Tonify and invigorate the Blood
  • Regulate Blood circulation
  • Break up Blood Stagnation
  • Regulate menstruation
  • Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas
Points

BLOOD AND YANG DEFICIENCY WITH COLD

Clinical Manifestations
  • Swollen and painful joints
  • Localized painful swellings without a head that bleed into the surrounding tissues and do not affect the color or texture of the skin
  • The swellings are not hot to the touch
  • No thirst
  • Wasting of the muscles of the thigh and calf
  • T: Very pale or Pale-pink
  • C: White
  • P: Thready and forceless or Deep and slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the Yang
  • Tonify the Blood
  • Disperse Cold
  • Eliminate Stagnation
Herb Formulas
Points

COLD ACCUMULATION IN THE INTERIOR

Clinical Manifestations
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Hypochondriac pain
  • Chills
  • Low-grade fever
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Intolerance of Cold
  • Pain in the armpits
  • Unilateral pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium
  • Stiffness and spasms beside and below the umbilicus
  • Pain in the waist and legs
  • T: Normal
  • C: Greasy and white
  • P: Deep, tight and wiry
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the Interior
  • Disperse Cold
  • Unblock the bowels
  • Alleviate pain
Herb Formulas
Points

COLD-DAMP

Clinical Manifestations
  • Herniated lumbar disc
  • Cold pains in the lower and upper back
  • Heavy sensations in the low back
  • Feeling as if one were sitting in cold water
  • Feeling as if one were carrying a heavy weight
  • Cold limbs
  • Lack of strength
  • Definite tender points on palpation
  • Increased pain on exposure to Cold
  • Decreased pain on exposure to warmth
  • Long, clear urination
  • T: Pale
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Deep and tight
Treatment Principle
  • Warm the channels
  • Scatter Cold
  • Dispel Dampness
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points
  • If the nucleus has moved posteriorly into the extradural space: Huatuojiaji points above and below the affected vertebra, DU-3, DU-4, DU-5, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24, UB 25, UB-26
  • If the nucleus has moved posteriorly and is putting pressure on the radichian nerve: Huatuojiaji points above and below the affected vertebra on the opposite side, DU-3, DU-4, DU-5, UB-22, UB-23, UB-24, UB 25, UB-26
  • For lateral pain on the Bladder channel: + UB-40 or UB-60
  • For central pain on the DU channel: + DU-1, DU-26, or DU-1, SI-3
  • For both lateral and central pain: + SI-3, UB-62
  • For buttock pain: + GB-30 or UB-54
  • For cold pain on the low back, buttocks and lower limbs: + moxa or moxa needle UB-36, UB-54, UB-57
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the thigh: + GB-31
  • For pain radiating to the posterior of the thigh: + UB-37
  • For pain radiating to the lateral side of the lower leg: + GB-34 or GB-39
  • For pain radiating to the limbs: + UB-57
  • For severe cold pain and cold limbs: + moxa or moxa needle DU-4
  • For lack of strength in the low back and knees: + KI-7
  • For digestive disruption: + SP-4
  • For lumbar and hip pain: + GB-29, UB-30
  • For lumbosacral and coccygeal pain: + LIV-9, UB-32 or Baliao

DAMP-HEAT

Clinical Manifestations
  • Low back pain often accompanied by a hot sensation
  • Low back soreness and heaviness
  • Inability to bend forward or backward
  • Maybe irritating Heat
  • Spontaneous perspiration
  • Thirst
  • Scanty, dark urine
  • Painful urination
  • Loose stools
  • T: Normal or Thick
  • Greasy and yellow
  • P: Soft and rapid or Slippery and rapid
Treatment Principle
  • Clear Heat
  • Dispel Dampness
  • Unblock the channels
  • Stop pain
Herb Formulas
Points

LOWER JIAO COLD-DAMP

Clinical Manifestations
  • Chronic cold pain in the lower back and body with a heavy sensation
  • The lower back region feels Cold to the touch
  • The pain is a deep, unremitting ache
  • The pain may be occasionally be severe
  • Twisting and bending are difficult
  • The pain is aggravated by cold weather
  • Lying down provides no improvement
  • Stiffness which is worse on rainy days
  • Aversion to Cold
  • Cold extremities
  • Sciatica
  • Copious urination
  • Extreme heavy sensation in the lower back
  • Absence of thirst
  • The pain is better with Heat
  • Maybe headaches
  • Nausea
  • Loose stools
  • A poor appetite
  • Maybe general body aches
  • Spontaneous contracture of the limbs
  • Maybe a feverish sensation in the upper body
  • Craves hot drinks and compresses
  • T: Pale
  • C: White or Greasy and white at the root
  • P: Deep, thready and moderate or Deep and slow or Moderate or Slippery and slow
Treatment Principle
  • Warm Yang
  • Strengthen the Spleen
  • Support the Kidneys
  • Dispel Cold
  • Eliminate Dampness
Herb Formulas
Points