Definition

Pain in the lower back

Accompanying signs & symptoms

Pain or soreness in the lower back, stiffness in the back 

Possible Causes

Muscle strain or other muscle injury
Vertebral disk injury or displacement
Herniated disk
Accumulated physical exhaustion
Trauma

Physiological Mechanisms

Persistent use of muscle, accident, straining often result in soft tissue injury, accumulations of lactic acid (muscle waste) and poor blood circulation to the local area. As the result, the healing mechanism becomes sluggish in facilitating the recovery of the injury, and results in muscle tenderness, stiffness and aching pain.

Treatment Modalities

Acupuncture specialised treatment

Mechanism of action of the herbs used

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treats the condition by doing the following:
Releasing muscle tensions
Reducing local inflammation and swelling
Reducing harmful hormones accumulated in the affected areas. 
Improving local blood circulation 
Facilitating the self repairing processes
Promoting deep relaxation of the muscle
Calming the mind and body
Reducing pain, soreness and local stiffness.

Health Advice

Reducing the intake of caffeine and cigarette smoking
Eat a balance diet
Establishing a regular eating habit
Encouraging moderate, regular and outdoor exercises

References

Longman concise medical dictionary, 1994

Chinese-English Manual of Common-Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ou Ming, 1995