Identification and care of “back pain” “Doctor, I have back pain, is it a kidney problem?” This is a common question that most nephrologists encounter. So, is back pain a kidney problem? And how should we take care of our “waist”? The following is my opinion: 1, waist pain = kidney disease We all know that the kidneys are located on both sides of the body waist. The kidney envelope, renal pelvis and ureter have nerve distribution, so the pain in the kidney area is often associated with the kidney envelope being stretched and tension increasing, as well as the renal pelvis, ureter spasm or tension increasing, and infection and other factors. Back pain in this condition is certainly related to the disease of the renal system. The diagnosis can usually be confirmed by urinalysis, ultrasound, CT, and urography. In addition, as early as Su Wen 脈要精微論 (The Essence of the Pulse), the sages recorded that “the waist is the house of the kidneys.” It is pointed out that the location of the kidney is in the waist, which indicates that a problem with the waist is a reflection of a problem with the kidney, so at this time the waist pain reflects a problem with the kidney, reminding us to find out the cause as soon as possible and treat it as soon as possible in order to prevent progressive damage to the kidney and even the emergence of uremia. 2, low back pain ≠ kidney disease We also know that there are muscles, fascia and other tissues and organs in the lumbar region, so simple low back pain may not be a problem of the kidney system itself, such as lumbar myofasciitis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbar muscle strain, lumbar sprain and contusion, and even surgical or women’s pelvic diseases can also cause low back pain. If there is no abnormality in urinalysis, these diseases can be diagnosed through orthopedic, surgical, gynecological and other specialized examinations. 3.Self-care of low back pain If low back pain excludes the problems of the above-mentioned specialties, we should consider what is usually called “kidney deficiency low back pain”. Its main manifestation is soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, soreness and swelling of the waist and hidden pain, but the examination results are normal. Although not to serious consequences, but the quality of life still has a greater impact on the following self-care measures may wish to try: ① massage kidney points: can replenish the kidneys and benefit from the essence, nourishing tendons and bones. In the back of the waist and the position of the navel, to the left, to the right side of each 1.5 inches (the width of the middle finger, index finger together), is the kidney acupuncture point. Make a fist with both hands, press the point with the knuckles of the thumbs, and massage 60 turns in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, once a day in the morning and once in the evening. ②Massage the heart of the foot: it can regulate the kidney meridian and stimulate kidney energy. With the left thumb bone pressure points, rotate clockwise and counterclockwise massage the right foot 60 circles, and then massage the left foot with the right hand, once a day in the morning and once in the evening. ③ rubbing the point: can soothe the tendons, relieve spasm and pain. The point is located at the midpoint of the N fossa behind the knee joint. Hands rubbed together until hot, with both hands at the same time to rub (with the thumb and the other four fingers of the belly relative force) two lower extremities in the point 60 times in the morning and evening. In short, the special location of the “waist” often reminds us of the “kidney”, waist pain is not necessarily a kidney disease, but first of all, you can ask the nephrologist to help rule out kidney disease, in order to target the treatment of “waist pain But first of all, we can ask a nephrologist to help rule out kidney disease before we can target the treatment of “back pain”! For non-organic low back pain, the above self-care exercises may be worth a try.