20

Sub-Pages

6

Boards

LOHO

Clinic

CMCHK

#007063

🦴 Orthopedics (TCM Bone Setting 跌打骨傷)

Structural / mechanical low back pain — disc, nerve, muscle, joint issues. The 6 main types account for the majority of chronic low back pain cases.

→ Orthopedic Back Pain Overview (Main Entry)

Click to access the main entry page for this board

→ Herniated Disc

Disc herniation causing sciatica and radicular pain

→ Sciatica

Sciatic nerve pain radiating down the leg

→ Lumbar Muscle Strain

Most common type (70%+) — muscle/soft tissue injury

→ Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of spinal canal, common in adults over 60

→ Acute Lumbar Sprain

Sudden onset acute sprain from lifting/twisting

→ Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Age-related disc wear and tear

🌿 Chinese Medicine (中醫內科)

TCM Internal Medicine approach via pattern differentiation (辨證論治). 4 major TCM patterns of low back pain with Western concept mapping: Kidney Deficiency, Cold-Damp, Blood Stasis, Damp-Heat.

→ Chinese Medicine for Low Back Pain (Main Entry)

Click to access the main entry page for this board

👩 Gynecological (Women’s Back Pain)

Gynecological-related low back pain — menstrual, pelvic, pregnancy, postpartum. TCM gynecology addresses root causes through cycle-based care.

→ Gynecological Back Pain Overview (Main Entry)

Click to access the main entry page for this board

→ Menstrual Back Pain

Period-related lower back pain

→ Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain and TCM management

→ Pregnancy & Postpartum

Safe prenatal and postpartum back pain care

🚨 Cancer Warning (Red Flag Education Only)

Cancer-related back pain warning signs. TCM does NOT treat cancer — Western oncological evaluation is essential for any concerning symptoms.

→ Cancer Warning Signs in Back Pain (Main Entry)

Click to access the main entry page for this board

⚖️ Red Flags & Decision Support

Critical warning signs requiring immediate medical evaluation. Decision-making guides for choosing between TCM, Western, or combined care.

→ Back Pain Red Flags (Main Entry)

Click to access the main entry page for this board

→ Treatment Decision FAQ

TCM vs Western, costs, insurance, finding a practitioner

👥 Population Groups (Age/Occupation Specific)

Back pain varies by population. Each group has unique risk factors, prevention strategies, and TCM considerations.

→ Office Workers

VDT syndrome, prolonged sitting, ergonomic solutions

→ Elderly

Age-related care, comorbidity management, Health Care Vouchers

→ Athletes

Sports injury recovery, biomechanical advice

→ Students

School bag weight, posture, electronic device use

🚨 Emergency (Seek Immediate Care)

• Loss of bladder or bowel control (cauda equina syndrome)
• Severe or progressive leg weakness
• Saddle anesthesia (numbness in groin/inner thighs)
• Fever with back pain (possible infection)
• Major trauma with severe pain (possible fracture)
• Unexplained weight loss with back pain (possible tumor)

⚕️ Urgent (Same-Day Evaluation)

• Severe pain limiting function
• Pain that wakes you from sleep
• Progressive worsening despite treatment
• New neurological symptoms

📋 Routine Consultation

• Chronic back pain (>3 months) without red flags
• Pain affecting daily life or work
• Posture-related or work-related back pain
• Want second opinion on diagnosis or treatment

🎯 Myofascial Trigger Point Acupuncture

An evidence-based acupuncture technique that targets specific hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle. Dr. Peng’s 2008 research, published in the BMJ journal Acupuncture in Medicine, demonstrated 92% anatomical correspondence between Western myofascial trigger points and classical Chinese acupuncture points. Particularly effective for chronic musculoskeletal pain.

🌿 Chinese Medicine (中醫內科) — Pattern Differentiation

TCM pattern differentiation (辨證論治) identifies the underlying systemic pattern of your back pain — Kidney Deficiency, Cold-Damp, Blood Stasis, or Damp-Heat — and prescribes herbal medicine and acupuncture accordingly. See: Chinese Medicine for Low Back Pain.

🦴 Chinese Bone Setting (TCM Orthopedics 跌打骨傷)

Traditional TCM manual therapy for musculoskeletal disorders. Combines tuina (推拿), bone setting techniques, and acupuncture. Effective for muscle strain, joint problems, and post-trauma recovery. See: Orthopedic Back Pain Overview.

📍 LOHO Clinic — Central Hong Kong

Address: Room 1207, 12/F, New World Tower 1, 16-18 Queen’s Road Central, Central, HK
Phone/WhatsApp: +852 6434 7037
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM; 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Wed morning closed)
Elderly Health Care Vouchers: Accepted (for ages 65+)

Choose Western Medicine First If:

• Red flags present (cauda equina, severe trauma, fever, etc.)
• Need diagnostic procedures (MRI, lab tests)
• Surgical evaluation required

Choose TCM (or TCM-Complementary) If:

• Chronic low back pain without red flags
• Functional/muscular/postural back pain
• Stress-related back pain
• As complementary care during Western treatment

What is chronic low back pain?

Chronic low back pain refers to persistent or recurrent pain in the lower back region lasting more than 3 months. It can be structural (herniated disc, spinal stenosis), functional (muscle strain), or systemic (TCM patterns). This comprehensive guide covers 6 boards and 20 sub-pages for all major aspects of chronic low back pain.

How many sub-pages does this guide have?

This comprehensive guide has 20 sub-pages organized into 6 boards: ① Orthopedics (7 pages) covering structural conditions ② Chinese Medicine (1 comprehensive page) covering 4 TCM patterns ③ Gynecological (4 pages) for women’s back pain ④ Cancer Warning (1 page) for red flag education only ⑤ Red Flags & Decision Support (2 pages) ⑥ Population Groups (4 pages) for office workers, elderly, athletes, and students.

What is LOHO Clinic?

LOHO Clinic is the English name of Hong Kong Lok Hop Tong Acupuncture Clinic (絡合堂中醫針灸診所), a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic in Central Hong Kong led by Dr. Peng Zengfu, a registered TCM practitioner (CMCHK #007063). The clinic specializes in TCM acupuncture, Chinese bone setting (跌打骨傷), and TCM internal medicine.

What is TCM Internal Medicine for low back pain?

TCM Internal Medicine (中醫內科) treats low back pain through pattern differentiation (辨證論治), identifying the underlying systemic pattern and prescribing herbal medicine and acupuncture accordingly. The 4 major TCM patterns are Kidney Deficiency, Cold-Damp, Blood Stasis, and Damp-Heat. See the Chinese Medicine for Low Back Pain sub-page for details.

When should I see a doctor immediately for back pain?

Seek immediate medical care if you have: ① Loss of bladder or bowel control ② Severe leg weakness ③ Saddle anesthesia ④ Severe pain after major trauma ⑤ Fever with back pain ⑥ Unexplained weight loss ⑦ Pain that wakes you from sleep and is not relieved by position. These are ‘red flags’ that require urgent Western medical evaluation.

Can back pain be a sign of cancer?

Yes, but it’s rare (less than 1% of back pain cases). Warning signs include unexplained weight loss, pain worse at night not relieved by position, history of cancer, age >50 with new back pain. TCM does NOT diagnose or treat cancer. Any concerning symptoms require Western oncological evaluation.

Is TCM effective for back pain?

TCM has a growing evidence base for chronic low back pain. Acupuncture has been endorsed by WHO and major medical organizations for chronic pain conditions. Myofascial trigger point acupuncture, in particular, has shown effectiveness for chronic musculoskeletal pain. TCM is most effective for chronic, functional, and stress-related back pain, and works well as complementary care. Individual outcomes vary.

How do I find a registered TCM practitioner in Hong Kong?

Search the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK) registered TCM practitioner list at www.cmchk.org.hk. Dr. Peng Zengfu (CMCHK Registration #007063) practices at LOHO Clinic, Central Hong Kong. Look for practitioners with verifiable registrations and experience in your specific condition.

What is the most common type of back pain?

Lumbar muscle strain is the most common type of back pain, accounting for over 70% of cases. It typically involves soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, fascia) injury or chronic strain. The second most common is disc-related pain (herniated disc, disc degeneration).

How much does TCM treatment cost?

TCM treatment costs vary by clinic. Initial TCM consultations in Hong Kong typically range HK$300-800; follow-ups are usually HK$150-400. Acupuncture and herbal prescriptions are priced separately. Many Hong Kong health insurance plans cover TCM. Elderly Health Care Vouchers (for ages 65+) can be used at LOHO Clinic sooner.