Chronic Low Back Pain

Because long-term use of NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory painkillers) carries risks of gastrointestinal bleeding, decreased kidney function, and increased blood pressure, the principle for chronic lower back pain is to use the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible duration. Acupuncture treatment does not affect drug metabolism, so there are no contraindications for concurrent use; in fact, it is recommended as a non-drug treatment to control pain and reduce dependence on painkillers. When taking herbal medicines concurrently, standard safety precautions include reviewing the entire medication regimen to avoid ingredients with overlapping or interfering effects, and maintaining a gap of at least two hours between doses. From a Korean medicine perspective, painkillers only address the outward symptoms that suppress pain signals; however, the root causes of chronic lower back pain—such as kidney energy deficiency, hardened blood, and stagnant waste—remain unaddressed. This creates a vicious cycle where relief is felt only while taking the medication, but the condition recurs once it is stopped. At Dongjedang, we review all Western medications currently being taken during the initial consultation and design a customized herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution. This medicine aims to dissolve hardened blood and nourish the energies of the liver and kidneys, while ensuring there is no overlap with existing medications. For external treatment, we apply acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture in stages to directly address the tissues causing the pain. Our goal is for the required dosage of painkillers to naturally decrease as treatment progresses. We advise patients to consult with their prescribing physician regarding any reduction in dosage.