Bone Health

Bone Health- As we get older, we run an increasing risk of developing osteoporosis – thinning, fragile bones that are likely to break easily from everyday activities and movement. It can refer to both low bone density as a risk factor for fragility and fractures themselves as actual conditions of fragility. This is a scary condition that can seriously affect quality of life and health.

Acupuncture and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine can help. They are included in accepted alternative medicine approaches such as multivitamins, fish oil, glucosamine, herbal therapy, aromatherapy and minerals; activities to build strength and flexibility – t’ai chi, yoga; and hands-on treatments such as naturopathy, massage, reflexology and chiropractic.

Acupuncture can help reduce the pain of osteoporosis or fractures in people with this condition by providing a therapeutic intervention through inserting delicate needles at specific sites in the body. The goal is to restore qi, the flow of vital energy through the body, which can be blocked by injury to the bones. In a holistic theory of health and wellness, the kidney system includes the kidney, marrow, bone and brain; the kidney controls bones, and pathways between these organs affect overall stability and energy flow. If acupuncture can help the kidney function better, bone density can improve.

Recent research has found that acupuncture is effective in treating pain caused by osteoarthritis and pain of the neck and lower back. With acute fractures resulting from osteoporosis and related bone health problems, there was “a significant decrease” in pain at week 6 and 9 for patients who received five biweekly courses of acupuncture compared to those treated with traditional means such as painkillers. Auricular (ear) acupuncture also has helped patients with hip fractures – not only reducing pain, but reducing anxiety as well.