With the advent of China’s aging society, the total number of osteoporosis cases in China is close to 200 million. According to the World Health Organization, osteoporosis is a global health problem, second only to tumors and cardiovascular diseases in terms of severity, and tops the five major diseases among the middle-aged and elderly. However, some people think that osteoporosis is a minor disease and need not care too much. In fact, osteoporosis is not only a back pain, but even leads to fracture. The death rate of hip fracture caused by osteoporosis is 20% within one year, and about 50% of survivors are disabled. Therefore, the fracture caused by osteoporosis has been described as the “invisible killer” of the elderly.
Osteoporosis is asymptomatic in its early stages and develops unconsciously. There is no cure for it. Therefore, prevention is especially important. Bone mass accumulates until the age of 35 and reaches a peak around the age of 35, after which it gradually decreases. Doctors recommend that bone density should be checked once a year after middle age in order to know your peak bone mass and prevent problems before they occur.
Since there are many factors that cause osteoporosis, and there is no safe and effective method to return the osteoporotic bones to their original state, prevention is the key. Preventing the disease, increasing bone reserves, and stopping the continued loss of calcium will greatly reduce the degree of osteoporosis. Balanced nutrition and moderate physical exercise are effective ways to balance the symptoms and the root cause. The principles of osteoporosis prevention and treatment are: diet + exercise + medication + early bone density testing. The key to implementation is “perseverance”.
The root of the disease is kidney, liver and spleen deficiency
Chinese medicine classifies osteoporosis as “bone impotence, bone dryness, bone paralysis” and considers its pathogenesis as kidney deficiency, liver and spleen deficiency and blood stasis.
Chinese medicine believes that “kidney” and “bone” are closely related, and “Su Wen – Five Organs Generation” says: “Kidney is also in harmony with bone.” Su Wen – Xuan Ming Wu Qi said: “The kidney produces bone marrow”, “its fullness is in the kidney”. That is, the kidney collects essence, the main bone and marrow. Kidney marrow is sufficient, the bone biochemical source, solid and full, strong and powerful. If the kidney essence is deficient, the bone marrow is not enough, the bones are not nourished, fragile and weak. Therefore, if the kidney fails and the bone marrow is withered, the tendons become impotent, which can lead to bone impotence.
In addition, the kidneys and liver are closely related, the liver and kidneys mingle and nourish each other, the kidney essence is abundant, the liver blood is abundant, the tendons and bones are strong. If the spleen is deficient for a long time, the kidney essence will be deficient and the bones will lose nourishment, resulting in weak bones and osteoporosis.
In response to the above pathological mechanism, the basic treatment rules of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening the bones, benefiting the liver and strengthening the spleen, and activating blood circulation to relieve pain are adopted.
Tonify the deficiency while activating the blood to relieve pain
Currently, the rate of osteoporosis in elderly women is estimated to be about 29%, however, only 13% of elderly women are diagnosed. The initial onset of osteoporosis is painless. Serious complications of osteoporosis, fractures are capable of causing acute pain, and chronic pain of osteoporosis is generally associated with bone deformation, joint misalignment and stress on tendons. Some studies have shown that more than 80% of osteoporosis patients have pain symptoms. And pain is also the main reason why most patients with osteoporosis visit the clinic. Kidney qi deficiency is unable to promote blood flow in the veins, then the meridians do not pass; kidney yin deficiency pulse stagnation, qi stagnation and stasis; kidney yang deficiency can not warm and promote blood, yang deficiency produces cold, blood stagnation causes stasis, stasis is not pass, not pass is pain. Stasis is the root of all diseases, long term illnesses are more stasis, long term pain will be stasis. Chinese herbal medicine can promote the flow of Qi and blood, smooth the meridians, strengthen bones and relieve pain.
Chinese medicine plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Chinese medicines such as Shifei Bone Health Oral Liquid, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Jin Kui Kidney Qi Wan, Bone Sparse Health Punch, Bone Pine Treasure Capsules, Strong Bone Capsules, etc., have the effect of significantly improving bone density and bone strength, not only improving bone volume and bone density, but also improving the microstructure of bone and increasing bone strength, thus reducing the incidence of fracture.
In addition, the application of acupuncture therapy can also effectively prevent and treat osteoporosis. Modern research shows that acupuncture can effectively act on the endocrine system to correct the disordered state of hormones and balance calcium and phosphorus metabolism, thus improving the degree of osteoporosis. Acupuncture treatment for osteoporosis should follow the principles of evidence-based treatment, combination of evidence and disease identification, and selection of acupuncture points; it should focus on tonifying the kidneys, treating the root without symptoms and treating both the symptoms and the root with symptoms; and selecting appropriate acupuncture points for symptoms such as low back pain and bone pain, which are common in osteoporosis.
Multi-pronged approach and perseverance
The earlier the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, the better. After middle age, you should check your bone density once a year to know your peak bone mass and prevent problems before they occur.
1, strengthen exercise. People in exercise will keep stimulating bone tissue, improve bone blood circulation, bone tissue will not easily lose calcium. Some studies have found that the elderly who exercise regularly have good balance and high bone density in their bodies; and they are less likely to fall, which is likely to effectively prevent fractures.
2, more sunshine. It can enhance the synthesis and absorption of vitamin D, which helps the absorption and utilization of calcium in the body.
3.Diverse diet. Pay attention to nutritious, more calcium-rich food, such as milk, soy products, shrimp, etc.
4, avoid coffee, cola, etc. Do not smoke, alcohol, etc.
5, careful use of drugs. The elderly should be careful with drugs, such as diuretics, tetracycline, isoniazid, anticancer drugs, prednisone, etc. can affect the metabolism of bone.
6, pay attention to safety. The elderly should prevent various accidental injuries, especially falls that can easily cause fractures in the wrist and femur.