Acupuncture, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia - an alternative medicine approach that works!

Several scientific studies reviewing the use of Acupuncture in treating Osteopenia and Osteoporosis have been published since 2002.

Non-prescription treatment of low bone density.

One study published in February 2006, concluded: " Acupuncture plus acupoint sticking of Migudan has definite therapeutic effect on primary osteoporosis" . And a study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Another study from 2004 indicated that such treatment for Osteoporosis worked like a number of well known prescription drugs. This treatment focuses on inhibiting Osteoclasts, the cells that remove bone. The study concluded that it "decreases the number of myelogenic osteoclasts ". This would inhibit the bone removal phase of bone resorption.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Increasing bone density. How it actually works!

I was fascinated by what I have read about Acupuncture and Osteoporosis and I think you will be too. Even if you do not plan to use this treatments yourself, you will find it interesting to learn what the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Practitioners do.

As you may know Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on a notion of balanced energy (Chi). The aim of Traditional Chinese Medicine is keeping and restoring the balance of energy in each human being. Restoring a human being's Ying - Yang energy balance is achieved through diet (Some foods are seen as Ying food and others Yang)and movement. Inthe case of illness herbs are often used also.

You have probably seen TV or videos of people in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong practicing stylized movements of Tai Chi outdoors in a park. These movements have a long history. Their purpose is to keep energy flowing through the body without obstruction. Remember that keeping or restoring balance is the central concept in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

In TCM the body is seen as having lines (meridians) of energy that go from the toes to the crown of the head. Along these lines are 'points' or 'centers' of energy. If energy gets blocked at any of these points the poinyd are treated with acupuncture or sometimes by acupressure (no needles) so that energy can again flow easily and the body can repair itself.

In acupuncture sterilized needles are inserted into certain acupuncture points along the meridians. Interestingly I found in my own treatments, the insertion of needles does not hurt. Sometimes it may itch or tickle. Often I would find myself becoming very relaxed during a treatment - even dozing off for a few minutes.

If you want to experiment a bit, you can probably locate some acupuncture points right now. Just apply moderate pressure. If there is pain, TCM would say that your energy is blocked.

Here are some acupuncture points:
• There is a point on the indentation at the top of your breast bone.
• There are others down the center of your body every few inches.
• Your ears also contain many points. You can start at the top and press/squeeze you ear along the edges right down toyour ear lobe.

Of course if the energy is not blocked, you will not feel pain at any of these points and so this little experiment will not show you anything. In that case, I suggest you get a book from the library or find one at FETCHBOOKS. Just type in any or all of these words Acupuncture, Osteoporosis and Osteopenia . FETCHBOOKS compares prices for New and Used Books from many book selling sites on the subject and look at the diagrams on the topic.

If your putting pressure on any of the points results in pain, you may find that doing a circular motion with moderate pressure for about 8 turns on the point for several days will 'unblock' the energy and the point will no longer be painful.(This is a really simplistic rxplanatin. I do suggest that you read more about this if it interests you. )

TCM has mapped the body meridians and their points. Each point has a name and a number. Eg. L1 is for the liver meridian #1 ; TW 4 is Triple Warmer #4 etc. (Again, If you want to learn more about the specific meridians, there are books and Internet sites with charts.)

So how does Acupuncture increase bone density?

Shealy has found that stimulating these points with a SheLiTENS unit, "increases calcitonin levels within one hour" of treatment.

Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland and it inhibits bone resorption [removal of bone] AND it enhances or produces recalcification of osteopenic bone. It also has a beneficial effect of lowering bone pain.Some of you may be taking Calcitonin as a prescription drug. It is prescribed for bone loss or bone pain!STimulating these Acupuncture points can do the same thing.

The stimulation of the 13 RING of EARTH acupuncture points "can raise Calcitonin to 80 percent" as long as the person does not have low thyroid function. I find it so interesting that TCM offers a effective non-drug treatment forOsteoporosis and Osteopenia.

To read more Natural Treatments for Osteopenia and Osteoporosis go to: Natural Treatments Osteopenia and Osteoporosis

HOME | Terms and Conditions of Use | About Us | Privacy Policy