Patient details changed to protect privacy. Shared with permission.
The Patient
Mark was 45, a contractor who had been managing chronic low back pain for over a decade — a legacy of years of physical labor, a herniated disc at L4-L5, and a serious fall five years prior. He was taking NSAIDs daily, had tried physical therapy three times, and had two cortisone injections that each provided 2–3 months of relief before the pain returned. A surgeon had recommended spinal fusion, which Mark was trying to avoid.
The TCM Assessment
Mark's pattern was Kidney Yang deficiency with Blood stasis — consistent with his chronic nature of injury, age, and physical constitution. His pain was worse in cold weather and in the morning, better with warmth and movement — classic signs of Yang deficiency and stagnation. His tongue was dusky with a white coating; his pulse was deep and slightly choppy at the Kidney position.
The Treatment
Janice used a combination of local points along the Bladder and Du meridians (which run along the spine), distal points for kidney support and pain modulation (KD3, BL40, BL60), and electroacupuncture — electrical stimulation through the needles — which is particularly effective for chronic, deep musculoskeletal pain. Cupping was applied to the lumbar region after each acupuncture session. Moxibustion (warming therapy) was used at kidney-tonifying points at the end of treatment.
The Progress
After sessions 1–2, Mark reported better sleep and slightly reduced morning stiffness. By session 4, he was able to sit comfortably for 45 minutes — up from 20. By session 6, he had stopped taking daily NSAIDs, using them only occasionally after heavy work days. After 8 sessions, he reported pain levels of 1–2 out of 10 on average, down from 7–8 at intake. He returned for monthly maintenance and, at six-month follow-up, had not needed NSAIDs in over three months and had declined the surgical consultation.