A Comprehensive Look at Low Back Pain: A Dual Perspective from Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (Part 1)

Low back pain is a prevalent health issue affecting a significant portion of the global population, with a lifetime incidence of 60–70% in industrialised countries. It is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide, placing a considerable burden on individuals, families, and so-ciety due to its impact on quality of life, work productivity, and healthcare costs.Western medicine classifies low back pain based on its duration (acute or chronic) and origin (specific or non-specific).Acute low back pain is typically short-term and caused by sudden injuries, while chronic low back pain persists for over three months and can involve biological, psychological, and social factors. Specific low back pain has a clear, identifiable cause, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or arthritis. On the other hand, non-specific low back pain, which accounts for about 90% of cases, lacks a clear structural cause and is often linked to muscle tension or poor posture. Diagnosis in Western medicine involves a physical exam and may include imaging techniques like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to identify underlying issues. Treatment is primarily conservative, including rest, heat/cold application, medication, and physiotherapy, with surgery reserved for severe, persistent cases.In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine views low back pain as a symptom of an imbalance in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Xue (blood). The lumbar region is associated with the Kidneys, considered the "root of life". Traditional Chinese Medicine categorises the causes of low back pain into three main patterns: Kidney deficiency (often linked to chronic, age-related pain), ex-ternal pathogenic factors such as cold, humidity, or wind, and stagnation of Qi and/or Xue. The goal of Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment is to restore the balance of Qi and Xue, strengthen the Kidneys, and expel external factors.This document provides an overview of low back pain from both Western and Traditional Chi-nese Medicine perspectives, setting the stage for a subsequent exploratory review of Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques for managing this condition.