Injury of the Back and Loin

Injuries in the soft structures of the back and loin muscles, tendons, or ligaments are due to sprain, contusion or strain.

Sprain may result from overstretching of the muscles, tendons and ligament during an act of lifting. The most affected part is usually the loin.

Contusion is a swelling and discoloration of the body surface with no break in the skin, caused by injury.

Strain results from long-term faulty posture, malformation of the skeleton, overwork or incomplete recovery from contusion or sprain.

Symptoms are pain and impairment of movement and function of the back and loin.

Acute sprain and contusion are characterized by sudden onset, a history of trauma, and local pain. Palpation elicits tenderness, in severe cases there is a swelling or ecchymosis. TCM diagnosis would be Blood stagnation.

Chronic strain gives a history of previous pain of different degree in the back and loin. There is local tenderness. The pain may be aggravated by labor or changing of the climate. Exacerbation and remission may follow each other. The pain is most severe when starting work and is associated with stiffness of the joints. TCM diagnosis include bi syndrome and/or Kidney deficiency.

Injury in the shoulder and loin may influence the arm and lower limbs respectively. Tender points occurring on the back and loin are usually valuable for reference.

Points:

Tender (Ashi) points

Prescription:

For acute sprain contusion:
5 - 10 cc. of 0.5 - 1% procaine is injected into the tender points every other day.

For chronic strain:
5 - 10 cc. of 10% glucose or 5cc. of 25% magnesium sulfate with 1 cc. of 1% procaine.

Notes:

Moxibustion: apply moxa-roll over the region where it feels cold.

A correct position of the body is necessary in heavy lifting in order to prevent the occurrence of sprain.

Source: The Treatment of 100 Common Diseases by New Acupuncture, Medicine and Health Publishing Company