Table 4 Diagnostic tools used for LSS and Korean medicine syndrome differentiation

Tests

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)^a

X-ray

Computed tomography (CT)

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI)

Electromyogram

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Main points of consideration in MRI reading

Degree of nerve compression^a

Diameter/area of spinal canal

Correlations between level of dysfunctional disc on MRI and clinical symptoms

Degree of degeneration of vertebral body and/or joints (spondylosis)

Number and level of dysfunctional discs (e.g. L1/2 vs. L5/S1)

Degree of intervertebral disc displacement

Degree of intervertebral disc degeneration

Vertebral alignment

Physical examination

Straight leg raise test (SLR)^a

Manual muscle testing (MMT)

Sensory testing

Heel walk/toe walk

Valsalva test

Well leg raise test

Milgram’s test

Laseque sign

Deep tendon reflex

Bragard test

Korean medicine syndrome differentiation theory

Qi and Blood diagnosis (氣血辨證)^a

Eight principle pattern identification (八綱辨證)

Meridian system diagnosis (經絡辨證)

Organ system diagnosis (臟腑辨證)

Six meridian diagnosis (六經辯證)

Sasang constitutional medicine diagnosis (四象體質辨證)

Defensive Qi and nutrient Blood diagnosis (衛氣營血辨證)

10 Types of LBP from ‘Dongeuibogam (東醫寶鑑)’

LBP from Kidney deficiency (腎虛腰痛)

LBP from Cold pathogen (寒腰痛)

LBP from Dampness pathogen (濕腰痛)

LBP from Phlegm (痰飮腰痛)

LBP from Blood stagnation (瘀血腰痛)

LBP from Wind pathogen (風腰痛)

LBP from Qi (氣腰痛)

LBP from Dampness-Heat pathogen (濕熱腰通)

LBP from contusion (挫閃腰痛)

LBP from retention of food (食積腰痛)