Backache is a common symptom and many thousands of working hours are lost each year due to consequent limitation of activity. This is a great economic loss but, more importantly, people suffer pain and are limited in their lives. The pain in the back may come on suddenly and be severe but, more often, it is long-standing and comes on recurrently. In Chinese medicine there are considered to be two main causes of back pain.

Firstly, there may be an invasion of a climatic factor such as wind, cold or dampness. This is common in manual workers who are working outside and become chilled or wet. The onset of the pain is sudden and tends to be severe. The painful area may feel cold and is stiff. Secondly, there may be a weakness in the kidney energy and this is more likely if the back pain is long lasting (weeks or months) or recurrent.

The use of a ginger compress is most effective. The heat of the compress and the warm energy of the ginger both serve to move the Qi and dispel the cold and damp. It should not be used if the pain is worse for heat or you also have night sweats or generalised heat symptoms.

Grate a 4-inch (10-cm.) piece of fresh root ginger and squeeze the juice out by hand into a saucepan. Add 2 pints of water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Take off the heat.

Place a towel or cloth in the hot liquid. Taking care not to burn yourself - squeeze most of the liquid out of the towel or cloth and place it over the lower back as hot as you can stand.  Cover with a dry towel to keep in the heat. Repeat at least three times. Do this three or four times each day. This will greatly relieve the pain and spasm.