| Chronic pain has a psychological component involved. Psychological factors in the development of pain, plays a major role, as It has also been observed that pain patients often suffer from mental (psychological) factors issues. In up to 67% of patients with chronic pain, there is also present a psychological obstructive factor. Epidemiological studies have shown that psychological (or mental) factors are significantly associated with chronic low back pain.This study reviewed, the Chinese Medicine pathology of chronic lower back pain, and the physiological mechanical understanding of acupuncture treatment in chronic lower back pain patients, reviewing the clinical development of modern medicine's understanding of chronic lower back pain, further exploring the psychological (or mental) factors associated with this syndrome. This study was inteded to provide useful medical data for chronic lumbago, also introducing this way of therapy to Korea, as to further facilitate the expansion of cultural expansion and diplomatic exchange between China and Korea.In the present clinical observation, research reveil that most doctors generally agree on an involvement focusing mainly on Taiyang Bladder-channel, Governor Vessel, Belt Vessel and Kidney Channel. Therefore treatment primarily consists from adjustment of Governor Vessel and the Taiyang Bladder Channel. Although lower back pain is basicly is caused by stagnation of Qi and Bloodt, obstructing the channels and collaterals (Blockage of vital substances causing pain), clinical studies have also shown that lower back pain and psychological factors are involved. Chinese Medicine have long emphazised the interrelation between the free flow of Qi and Blood and how its influenced by the human's mental and spiritual sphere. Therefore, local and distal points were selected for the main prescription to dredge the involved channels, to regulate Qi and heal the spirit. In addition, points were selected to settle the mind, regulating the cognitive activeties, to achieve better clinical results.Based upon the relevant literature, from a clinical point of view, treatment results from spiritually regulating acupuncture for chronic lower back pain patients (treatment group), was compared to conventional acupuncture's treatment (control group) results. "Tiaoshen" (mental and spiritual) acupuncture group selected on the basis of acupuncture prescription Baihui/GV20, Neiguan/PC6, Sanyinjiao/SP6, with acupuncture-needle manipulation to "tonifying/reducing accoriding to the patients present condition", "regulating Qi and treating the spirit", "achieving an arrival of "true Qi". A total of 52 patients with chronic lumbago patients was included in the study, then randomly divided into treatment and control groups. Treatment results were evaluated and quantified according to related symptoms of lumbago, lower limbs functional ability, other clinical symptoms, normal life and working ability. VAS pain scores with Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) points, was observed and evaluated for relevance between chronic lower back pain and psychological (or mental) factors.The study's results indicated the following:after two treatment-sessions, both patients in treatment group and control group were able to improve lumbago symptoms. Still the research showed significant differences in clinical efficacy. In the treatment group, the total effective rate was 92.3%, where as the control group's total efficiency reached 80.8%(P<0.05). Evaluating the clinical pain-alleviating results according to VAS and SAS scores, both treatment and control group expressed satisfactory clinically improving changes. An obvious expression observed in both groups was a signifcant change after 15 treatments, but still showing statistcally significant differences in advantage for the treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment with mental and spiritual regulating aspect in treatment of chronic lumbago patients, in order to further improve symptoms and quality of life (pain and psychological or mental) could have an advantageous tendency.
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