Lumbar Disc Herniation - Cold-Dampness Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Lumbar Disc Herniation · Cold-Dampness Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Lower Back

Pattern Overview

Cold-Dampness is a common pattern in lumbar disc herniation, characterized by cold and heavy pain in the lower back, cold lower limbs, numbness, aggravation on rainy days, and relief with warmth. The core pathogenesis is Cold-Damp pathogens invading the lumbar meridians, with cold causing contraction and dampness causing heaviness, exacerbating the meridian obstruction caused by the herniated disc.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Cold and heavy pain in the lower back, cold lower limbs and numbness, worse on rainy days |

| Associated Symptoms | Relief with warmth, heavy sensation, cold extremities |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale tongue with white greasy coating, deep and moderate pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Cold-Damp pathogens invading the lumbar meridians, exacerbating meridian obstruction |

| Etiology | Living in damp environments, lumbar cold exposure, autumn and winter seasons |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| BL23 Shenshu | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Warms Kidney Yang, disperses Cold and eliminates Dampness |

| DU4 Mingmen | On the midline, between L2 and L3 spinous processes | Warms Yang and disperses Cold, unblocks collaterals and stops pain |

| BL40 Weizhong | Midpoint of the popliteal crease (behind the knee) | Relaxes sinews and activates collaterals, benefits the lower back and knees |

| Ashi points | Tender spots around the lumbar area | Local warming and unblocking for pain relief |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, even method; moxibustion is strongly recommended to warm the meridians, disperse Cold, and transform Dampness. Combine with local heat application and herbal steam therapy.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Gan Jiang Ling Zhu Tang (甘姜苓术汤)

Composition:

Licorice (Gan Cao), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), Poria (Fu Ling), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi), Asarum (Xi Xin), Angelica pubescens (Du Huo)

Action: Disperses Cold and eliminates Dampness, warms and unblocks the meridians.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe cold with intense pain | Add Fu Zi, Rou Gui to warm Yang and disperse Cold |

| Cold lower limbs and numbness | Add Gui Zhi, Ji Xue Teng to warm the meridians and unblock collaterals |

| Heavy Dampness | Add Cang Zhu, Yi Yi Ren to dry Dampness |

| Severe lower back pain | Add Du Zhong, Xu Duan to supplement the Kidneys and strengthen the lower back |

Western Mechanism Reference

Cold-induced radiculopathy, cold-induced lumbar muscle spasm, aggravated nerve root ischemia, and reduced blood flow. Cold-Dampness corresponds to lumbar disc herniation exacerbated by cold exposure, where reduced blood flow to the nerve root and increased muscle tension worsen symptoms.

References

  1. Textbook Standard.

  2. WHO. (2023). Low back pain and disc disorders. World Health Organization.

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