Relieve Low Back Pain with Meridian Massage
The Bladder meridian is the key to relieving low back pain with Meridian Massage.
The Urinary Bladder (UB) meridian travels along the entire back, through the sacrum, across the buttocks, down the hamstrings and gastrocnemius (calf) muscles, and along the lateral (outside) edge of the foot ending on the 5th toe (see picture below). Whenever there is a concern about low back pain, always consider the UB meridian. (The Urinary Bladder meridian is the same as the Bladder meridian.)
Open the Bladder Meridian to Relieve Low Back Pain
For chronic low back pain, open the Bladder meridian along the whole back, down the legs to the 5th toes. Use vigorous, moving strokes, keep your attention on the Qi, allow yourself to improvise in the moment to create new methods of opening the meridian and moving Qi. Never cause any pain, just keep moving the Qi.
Use compression and movement to the gluteus (buttocks) muscles to allow the stagnant Qi from the back to flow down to the legs. Use compression and vibration along the hamstrings and gastrocnemius to draw the Qi down. Apply friction to the lateral ankle, foot and pinky toe to guide the Qi all the way through the meridian.
Points to focus on:
- UB 23 – the Shu point of the Kidney
- UB 31-34 located in the sacral foramen
- UB 36 – at the upper attachment of the hamstrings
- UB 40 – behind the knee, this is the command point of the back
- UB 57 – at the top of the Achilles tendon, in the center between the heads of the gastrocnemius
- UB 60 – behind the lateral malleolus, used to bring the Qi down the entire UB meridian
- UB 67 – on the pinky toe, the last point of the UB meridian
Points covered in this post
To continue learning, check out the “Reduce Low Back Pain” video on demand.
Hi Cindy,
its good information but we always need right and correct hands to imply massage which is very big problem either we cant find aright person or very expensive therapist for massage
Hi, have 3 bulged discs in the lower back for 11 years and have issues with the nerves and have recently had to increase the dosage of pain medication and heard someone mention the meridians so here I am. What’s the best way to open the bladder meridian?
Hi Damien,
Working with meridians and acupoints can help relieve your pain. Given your circumstances, I would consult with a practitioner who practices Acupuncture or Meridian Massage or Shiatsu in your area. Hands-on contact to the acupoints, or acupuncture, gets the Qi (energy) flowing – when the Qi is flowing, pain reduces (that is the very short story). Many of the Bladder acupoints are on your back, so you will need someone else to massage them.
Here are resources for finding a practitioner in your area:
Meridian Massage – http://students.bigtreehealing.com/practitioner-directory/
Acupuncture – https://mx.nccaom.org/FindAPractitioner.aspx
Another approach that is helpful with these conditions is Feldenkrais – here is a link for more info – http://www.feldenkrais.com/AF_MemberDirectory.asp?version=1
I hope that you connect with a wonderful practitioner.
Just wanted to thank you for your web seminar that I watched online just now. Very informative and interesting. I thank you for your time in helping so many to help so many. Loved the worksheet and slides you offered as well!
You are most welcome!
I’m suffering from lower back pain and I “accidentally” clicked on this article…
My ? is now: how do you do it on yourself???
/Marianne
Hi Marianne,
That is the thing about massage to the low back, someone else has to do the work for us. I hope you can find a local hands-on practitioner who can assist you.
Thank you Cindy, I have used these points so many times … I call them my Magic Potion! Blessings & Love
Hi Cindy,
Just wanted to thank you for your web seminar that I watched online just now. Very informative and interesting. I thank you for your time in helping so many to help so many. Loved the worksheet and slides you offered as well!
Jennifer,
You are welcome – I love my job!
Thank you for writing.
🙂
Quite interesting post and wish you were here in West Virginia!
Hi Heather,
Glad you enjoyed this post. if I’m ever in WV, I’ll look you up!
🙂
Yes, and I will take a treatment. Bad toe accident several months ago to my left foot left my entire foot bruised and swollen; from there a whopping case of sciatica and piriformis syndrome have set it. Have had lots of osteopathic adjustments but really think the energy meridian has something to do with it. Contemplating some acupuncture 🙂
Ouch! Adding acupuncture treatments sounds like a great idea. I hope your healing moves along quickly.