I Tried Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Back Pain — 6 Months Later

Kurokun

Stay2CN Community Update | Healthcare | May 2026

After two years of desk work in Shanghai, my lower back was wrecked. I'd tried physiotherapy back home, stretching, standing desks — nothing really worked long-term.

So I did what every local colleague suggested: I went to a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) clinic.

Six months later, here's my completely honest assessment.

What I Actually Did

I found a reputable TCM hospital in Shanghai (Shuguang Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai University of TCM) and booked an appointment with a senior physician.

The process:
Consultation: 30-minute session including pulse diagnosis, tongue examination, and detailed questions about my lifestyle, diet, sleep, and stress levels.

Treatment plan:
• Weekly acupuncture sessions (20–30 minutes each)
• Daily herbal tea prescription (they prepare it, you drink it twice a day)
• Recommended tuina massage twice a month
• Lifestyle adjustments (sleep earlier, avoid cold drinks)

The Results

Month 1: No dramatic change. Back pain was maybe 10% better. Honestly thought it was placebo.

Month 2: Noticeable improvement. Pain down to "mild discomfort" most days instead of constant ache.

Month 3: Slept through the night without back pain for the first time in a year.

Month 6 (now): Pain is 80% gone. I still get occasional stiffness after long flights, but it's manageable. I've reduced acupuncture to biweekly and maintain the herbal tea.

What It Cost

• Initial consultation: ¥100
• Acupuncture per session: ¥80–150 (depending on doctor seniority)
• Herbal medicine (2-week supply): ¥200–400
• Tuina massage: ¥150–250 per session

Monthly total: roughly ¥1,000–1,500. My international insurance covered 70% of it.

The Honest Caveats

• TCM is slow. If you want instant relief, go to a physio or take painkillers. This is a gradual, holistic approach.
• Quality varies wildly. Go to a proper hospital, not a shopping mall "wellness center."
• Herbal medicine tastes terrible. No way around it. You get used to it, but it's never pleasant.
• Not everything TCM claims is proven. Acupuncture has solid evidence for pain relief. Some other claims... less so.

Would I Recommend It?

For chronic conditions (back pain, stress, digestive issues), yes — as a complement to Western medicine, not a replacement. For acute issues (broken bones, infections), go to a regular hospital.

Has anyone else tried TCM? What was your experience — positive, negative, or somewhere in between?

Stay2CN Team