Chronic Low Back Pain

It is not that chronic lower back pain in the elderly is unresponsive to treatment; it is simply that the speed of recovery and goal setting differ. Acupuncture has been confirmed to improve pain and function in those over 65, and if muscle loss is present, combining it with light resistance exercise and protein intake enhances the effect. Since 20-year-old pain is often accompanied by central sensitization, the response may be slow in the early stages of treatment; however, it is generally common for pain sensitivity to gradually decrease with consistent treatment. However, in elderly women, differentiation from osteoporotic compression fractures must be performed first. Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective

Korean medicine views lower back pain in the elderly as part of the natural progression of aging, where the vital energy of the kidneys declines. Since the kidneys govern the bones, it is a natural change for bones and the lower back to weaken as kidney vital energy decreases; however, the hardened blood, waste products, and stiff fascia layered upon this state can be removed through treatment. In other words, while we cannot turn back the clock on age, there remain resolvable factors that account for more than half of the pain. For elderly patients, Dongjedang begins with gentle acupuncture and pharmacopuncture, selectively applying needle acupuncture and thread embedding within the limits of physical strength. Internally, we establish a foundation for recovery using herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution to replenish kidney vital energy and slowly flush out hardened blood. If you set your goal as restoring your daily life—a back strong enough to go grocery shopping and hold your grandchildren—then even 20 years of back pain in your late 60s is well worth treating.