Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease in which bone strength declines for various reasons, increasing bone fragility and significantly raising the risk of fracture. It is a common systemic disease with a gradual onset and a prolonged course. It is more common in middle-aged and older adults and in postmenopausal women. Bone mineral density and bone quality are internationally recognized as the main indicators used to assess bone strength. In current clinical practice, bone mineral density is commonly used as the basis for diagnosing osteoporosis. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition is often classified under “Bi syndrome,” “deficiency taxation,” and “bone atrophy.”
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Cold pain in the lower back and knees, aversion to cold with cold limbs, poor appetite and abdominal bloating, a pale tongue with a white coating, and a deep, weak pulse.
In everyday terms:
- The lower back and knees may feel cold and painful, with discomfort during movement or when exposed to cold.
- You may feel unusually cold, with frequently cold hands and feet and greater discomfort in low temperatures.
- You may have a poor appetite and feel fullness or discomfort in the upper abdomen and abdomen, even after eating a small amount.
- When the tongue is extended, it may appear pale with a white coating that looks neither thick nor greasy.
- On palpation, the pulse may be more readily felt with deeper pressure and may feel weak or lacking in force.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify the spleen and kidney, warm yang, and strengthen the bones.
In everyday terms:
- Tonify the spleen → Support the spleen and stomach’s digestive and transforming functions, addressing poor appetite, abdominal bloating, loose stools, and a heavy, fatigued feeling.
- Benefit the kidney → Nourish kidney qi and essence, helping to ease soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, aversion to cold, fatigue, and frequent nighttime urination.
- Warm yang → Support yang qi and increase the body’s “drive and warmth,” helping to ease cold hands and feet, aversion to cold, and a tendency toward fluid retention.
- Strengthen the bones → Support bone strength and joint stability, helping to ease soreness, weakness, and unsteadiness with movement.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, vexing heat in the palms, soles, and chest, dizziness and tinnitus, a red tongue with little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse.
In everyday terms:
- The lower back and knees may feel achy and painful, with discomfort during movement or exertion.
- The palms, soles, and chest may feel hot, with a noticeable feeling of restlessness and internal heat.
- You may feel dizzy or lightheaded and experience ringing in the ears.
- When the tongue is extended, it may appear red with little coating, leaving much of its surface relatively clear.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel thin and rapid, with a fast rate and a fine quality.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the liver and kidneys, replenish essence, and strengthen the bones.
In everyday terms:
- Nourish the liver and kidneys → Nourish the essence, blood, and yin and yang of the liver and kidneys, addressing signs such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, and fatigue.
- Replenish essence → Replenish kidney essence to support stamina and recovery, addressing deficiency signs such as forgetfulness, tinnitus, and weak bones.
- Strengthen the bones → Support bone strength and joint stability, helping to ease soreness, weakness, and unsteadiness and support more sustained movement.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Joint pain and tenderness, with a history of fracture in many cases.
In everyday terms:
- The joints may be painful and tender to pressure or touch.
- Many people have a previous fracture or a history of fractures.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Regulate qi, invigorate blood, resolve blood stasis, and relieve pain.
In everyday terms:
- Regulate qi → Help regulate the movement and flow of qi, addressing discomfort such as fullness, shifting pain, chest tightness, and a stuffy sensation.
- Invigorate blood → Promote the flow of blood, helping to ease pain, stiffness, numbness, and blood stasis.
- Resolve blood stasis → Disperse stagnant blood, helping to ease stabbing or fixed pain and swelling or bluish-purple discoloration.
- Relieve pain → Directly ease pain and improve pulling discomfort and limited movement.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
References
- Luo Hanwen, Guan Honggang. Experimental study on the effects of You Gui Wan on the pituitary-adrenal axis in rats with experimental osteoporosis[J]. Journal of Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2006(2): 60-62.
- Lu Min, Wang Linhua, Luo Yiwen, et al. Multicenter clinical observation of total flavonoids of Epimedium capsules for primary osteoporosis in 360 cases[J]. Chinese Journal of Osteoporosis, 2013(3): 279-282, 274.
- Wang Jianwei, Ma Yong, Zhou Lingling, et al. Effects of Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan combined with calcium gluconate on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats[J]. Chinese Journal of Osteoporosis, 2011(1): 60-63.
- Huang Hui, Yang Yuying. Evaluation of the effects of pattern-differentiation-based treatment for osteoporosis in middle-aged and older adults in the community[J]. Chinese Rural Health Service Administration, 2008(6): 424-425.