How does modern medicine explain the connection between the lungs and the back described in Donguibogam? From the perspective of modern neurology, much of the wisdom in Donguibogam aligns scientifically. What seemed like simple muscle pain in the back is actually very likely referred pain sent by our lungs.
Referred pain refers to a phenomenon where, when a problem occurs in an organ, pain is felt not in the organ itself, but in an entirely different area. When inflammation occurs in the lungs or pleura, our brain perceives that pain through other areas where nerves around the lungs are distributed, particularly nerves in the back. This is due to the complex shared pathways of our nervous system. The lungs, diaphragm, and back muscles often receive nerve supply from the same spinal nerve segment. In particular, nerves in the thoracic vertebrae serve as pathways that transmit sensation from both the lungs and the back simultaneously.
For example, when inflammation arises in the lungs, such as with pneumonia or pleurisy, the irritation from the inflammation travels through the spinal nerve to the brain, and the brain misidentifies this signal as pain in the back. It can be compared to crossed telephone wires causing a call to ring in a different house. In pleurisy specifically, when the pleura enclosing the lungs becomes inflamed, it rubs against the inner rib wall with each breath, triggering severe pain that commonly radiates not only to the side but also toward the back. Even in serious conditions such as lung cancer, a lung tumor can invade the chest wall or nerves, causing back pain.
Additionally, back pain worsening every time you cough is not only an issue of the lungs themselves, but also because the act of coughing exerts immense pressure and stress on the thorax and back muscles. Strong coughing excessively contracts the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and accessory muscles of respiration in the back. The resulting muscle strain, fatigue, and in severe cases, microdamage to muscle fibers can lead to back pain. Long-term chronic cough eventually causes an imbalance in the back muscles, which can create a vicious cycle of postural abnormalities and chronic back pain.
In conclusion, back pain accompanied by coughing may not be a simple cold symptom, but an important warning signal of serious respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, or even lung cancer. Therefore, if these symptoms repeat, do not worry alone; be sure to consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Listening closely without missing even the small signals from our body is the beginning of a healthy life.
