External Therapy Secrets - Treasures of Famous Physicians (Classic Collection Edition)

Author: Liang Shi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Strong Waist Ointment for Treating Lower Back Pain
【Symptom and Pharmacological Introduction】
Lower back pain refers to a category of conditions characterized primarily by pain in the lower back, which can manifest on one or both sides of the waist. The waist is considered the external manifestation of the kidneys. Lower back pain can be caused by overexertion, kidney qi deficiency, or external pathogens or injuries that obstruct the meridians of the waist. Among these, acute lower back pain caused by external pathogens or injuries is predominantly (excess-pattern), and treatment should focus on relaxing the tendons, promoting blood circulation, unblocking meridians, and expelling pathogens. The course of such pain is usually longer. Recurrent chronic lower back pain is often due to kidney yin deficiency, and treatment should primarily strengthen the tendons and bones and replenish the kidneys.
The Strong Waist Ointment introduced here selects herbs that address both root and symptoms, with functions of tonifying the kidneys, strengthening the waist, warming meridians, dispelling cold, and resolving blood stasis. Eucommia ulmoides is primarily used to treat lower back and spinal pain, nourishing qi and strengthening tendons and bones, making it a key herb for tonifying the kidneys and strengthening tendons. Psoralea corylifolia tonifies kidney yang and consolidates essence. When used together, these two herbs enhance the effect of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening the waist. Aconite root dispels cold and alleviates pain, and eliminates wind-dampness. Cassia cinnamon tonifies the life fire, stops pain, and dispels deep cold. Dried ginger, with its intense pungency and heat, expels cold and eliminates dampness. When combined with cassia cinnamon and aconite root, it is particularly effective for cold-dampness lower back pain, complementing each other well. Myrrh and frankincense unblock meridians and resolve blood stasis. When combined with Momordica charantia to stop lower back pain and reduce swelling, they are more effective for lower back pain caused by trauma or prolonged illness. Adding vinegar for topical application further enhances the warming and pain-relieving effects. When all herbs are combined, they show significant efficacy for lower back pain of blood stasis, cold-dampness, and kidney deficiency types.
【Formula】
Aconite root, cassia cinnamon, dried ginger, cinnamon bark, Eucommia ulmoides, Psoralea corylifolia, frankincense, myrrh, and Momordica charantia, all in equal parts, with an appropriate amount of vinegar.
【Preparation and Usage】
Grind the herbs into a fine powder, mix with vinegar to form a paste, and apply to the lower back. Cover with plastic film and secure with medical tape or bandage. Change the dressing every 3 days.
【Efficacy】
Complete recovery is defined as the disappearance of symptoms and signs with restored function. Significant improvement in symptoms and signs with functional improvement is considered effective. No significant improvement in symptoms, signs, or function is deemed ineffective.
Among 61 treated patients, 29 were completely cured, 25 showed significant improvement, and 7 were ineffective, with a total effective rate of 86.7%.
【Typical Case】
Yang XX, female, 39 years old, a civil servant. Recently, she often experienced lower back pain, weakness, and numbness in the legs and knees, which worsened with exertion but improved when resting. She had pale complexion, pale tongue, and deep, fine pulse. Diagnosis: lower back pain due to kidney deficiency. The Strong Waist Ointment was applied externally, and she was cured within 10 days. Follow-up for half a year showed no recurrence.