Chronic Low Back Pain

More than 80% of patients with chronic low back pain are classified as having non-specific low back pain, where the cause of pain cannot be identified through imaging tests. While MRI is sensitive to structural lesions such as disc herniation, stenosis, and fractures, it cannot reveal atrophy of deep stabilizing muscles like the multifidus, adhesions of the thoracolumbar fascia, dysfunction of the sacroiliac and facet joints, or central nervous system pain hypersensitivity (central sensitization) that develops when pain persists for more than three months. In fact, disc bulging is commonly found even in asymptomatic adults, so imaging findings often do not correlate with pain. In Korean medicine, the lower back is considered the dwelling place of kidney energy; therefore, the root of chronic lower back pain is traced to a deficiency in kidney energy. If the essence and blood of the kidneys and liver are insufficient, the bones, muscles, and ligaments do not receive proper nourishment, resulting in persistent aching and heavy pain even if the underlying structure is intact. Furthermore, if qi and blood flow become blocked due to prolonged sitting or strenuous labor, it is diagnosed as blood stasis lower back pain, and if one works in a cold environment, it is diagnosed as cold-dampness lower back pain. A stagnant state of qi and blood flow in the meridians passing through the lower back corresponds to functional abnormalities that are not visible on imaging. Dongjedang aims to restore meridian circulation by directly examining the condition of the multifidus muscle and ligaments via ultrasound and separating adhered fascia using acupuncture and needle acupuncture, while internally treating kidney deficiency, blood stasis, and dampness-phlegm together with herbal medicine tailored to the individual's constitution, thereby fundamentally altering the source of pain.