A Review of Classical Literatures on Acupuncture Points Used for the Treatment of Low Back Pain

Abstract

Numerous patients visit Korean medical institutions for low back pain. Various acupuncture points have been suggested to treat low back pain; however, selecting the appropriate acupuncture points is challenging because their individual importance is unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of different acupuncture points in the treatment of low back pain. We reviewed 14 classical literatures that recorded acupuncture prescription for low back pain. We investigated the frequency of acupuncture point usage, as well as their meridians, dermatomes, and combinations. Only BL, GV, and GB were used as local acupuncture points. The BL was the most frequently used acupuncture point in all dynasties. Over time, the use of distal rather than local acupuncture points increased. The distal acupuncture points that corresponded to the L4–S1 dermatome were most used. The most frequently used acupuncture points were BL23, BL40, BL60, GV26, GB34, and ST36. When low back pain is accompanied by lower extremity symptoms, the frequency of the use of acupuncture points at the L4, L5, and S1 levels on the dermatome increased, whereas those at the L2 and S3 levels decreased. BL31–BL34, BL28–GV02, and GV26–BL40 were mainly used in combination.

Keywords

• acupuncture points
• low back pain
• review