Osteoporosis Prevention with TCM

Osteoporosis is a disease when the bones fail to maintain its density causing bones to become weak and break easily. The patient is at an increased risk of fracture. A hip or spine fracture would require immediate hospitalization and surgery. Spinal or vertebral fractures can result in loss of height, severe back pain and deformity.

Osteoporosis affects mainly older women, but prevention starts when you are younger. No matter your age, you can take steps to build bone mass and prevent bone loss. Broken bones from osteoporosis cause serious health problems and disability in older women.

Here are the common risks for osteoporosis:

• Heredity and genetics

• Aging

• Ovaries removal surgery

• Irregular menstruation

• Lack of exercise

• High consumption of alcohol, sodium, smoking, too much animal protein

• An adult who has broken one or more bones during their adulthood

TCM pathology of osteoporosis

According to TCM, the weakening of the kidney system, accumulation of dampness and blood stagnation are mainly responsible for osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medical theory states that "The kidneys are in charge of the bones." The growth, development, repair and senility of the skeleton are closely related to the kidneys. The kidney system energy is referred to as “water energy” which nourishes and builds bone, marrow, reproductive system and brain. Dampness is a form of toxin that is usually caused by excessive intake of sweets, meat and alcohol. They are some useless and polluted water. The dampness could not perform the normal function of the good water energy but instead accumulates and retains in the body, also blocking out the normal circulation. When the normal energy channels, known as meridians, get blocked, blood is stagnated therefore further reducing the supply of normal energy support. The whole complex and interrelated TCM pathology leads to unhealthy bone maintenance resulting in osteoporosis.

Chinese herbs for osteoporosis

Herbal remedies are used to strengthen the kidneys as well as work towards regeneration of new bone cells. The two most bone-related herbs are “Gu Sui Bu” and “Bu Gu Zhi” which literally translated as “Fixing broken bone” and “Strengthening bone matter”. They both have the word Gu(骨, bone) and Bu(補, filling). But the repairment work is not just about filling things up. A well-trained herbalist will aim at nourishing the blood and kidneys, meanwhile cleaning up toxins and improve circulation. Some other common supportive herbs include licorice root, fresh ginger, Chinese taxillus herb, oyster shell, white peony root, cassia bark, etc. [Read more: Foundation of TCM dietary and herbology (1/4)- Four natures]

How about calcium and vitamin D?

Without a doubt, calcium and vitamin D are essential building material for healthy bones, but the consumption alone is not enough. Let’s imagine the calcium as brick of your house and the vitamin D is the glue. Yes, you need them for the structure of your house but you also need workers and a blueprint for building. Some cases of osteoporosis are caused by hardware problem so calcium and vitamin D could help. But in reality, it often occurs due to software problem (weakening of Qi energy in TCM term). And never forget that your body actually needs to process the excessive intake of calcium and vitamin D or else it could cause congestion and block circulation. So I would suggest filling up your calcium and vitamin D only with food and regular sunlight. Green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, seeds like black sesame, walnuts, almonds, protein source like tofu, sardines and egg yolk, these are all bone-friendly food. [Read more: TCM Dietary Advice] [Read more: Qi deficiency: What is it and how do you manage it? ] 

The sooner the better

Start as early as today for prevention of osteoporosis with a balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise. If you are at a high risk group or already developed osteoporosis, you probably need more advanced care and techniques to manage the situation.

[Read more: Avoid These Hidden Dangers Of Running To Get A Healthy Exercise]