Aching lumbus

Continual dull pain and discomfort in the lumbus as distinct from lumbar pain, which generally denotes more acute pain. Aching lumbus is attributed either to a) kidney vacuity arising from insufficiency of kidney qì in advancing years or from damage to kidney qì by sexual intemperance, or b) taxation detriment, i.e., wear and tear from physical strain or poor posture. Kidney vacuity lumbar pain is a continual pain exacerbated by physical strain and relieved by rest. In severe cases, there is distinct pain and lack of strength associated with cold knees, and heel pain. In some cases, there may also be hair loss, loosening of the teeth, impotence, and seminal emission. The tongue is pale and the pulse is sunken and fine. When from vacuity detriment, the aching is located in a specific spot, is exacerbated by strain but not markedly relieved by rest, is worse on rising in the morning, and abates with light exercise. The two patterns are mutually conducive and hence not clearly distinguishable. Compare lumbar pain.

Medicinal therapy: Kidney vacuity lumbar pain can be treated by warming, supplementing, and nourishing the kidney with formulas such as Young Maid Pill (青娥丸 qīng é wán) and Seven-Jewel Beard-Blackening Elixir (七宝美髯丹 qī bǎo měi rán dān). Vacuity taxation can be treated with the same formulas.

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on BL and GV. Main points: BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù)^mx and BL-40 (Bend Center, 委中 wěi zhōng). For kidney vacuity add KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), BL-52 (Will Chamber, 志室 zhì shì), and GV-4 (Life Gate, 命门 mìng mén)^mx, needling with supplementation. For vacuity detriment, add GV-26 (Water Trough, 水沟 shuǐ gōu) and BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport, 膈俞 gé shù), needling with supplementation.