Women’s Health Series: How Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture treat Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

As mentioned in the previous post, menopause is the change of life for many women. This change comes with the experience of the shift from regular monthly cycles to irregular periods and the accompanying symptoms.

One of the changes is an increase in risk of osteoporosis or loss of bone mass and strength postmenopause.

Let us start by exploring the symptom of postmenopausal osteoporosis and how we can alleviate that from a Western scientific and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.

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Conventional Scientific Perspective of Postmenopausal Osteopororsis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a condition where bone loss accelerates significantly after menopause due to a decline in estrogen levels. The reduction in estrogen slows bone remodeling, leading to bone resorption (destruction) exceeding bone formation (new bone building), thereby resulting in bone loss and subsequent osteoporosis.

For postmenopausal osteoporosis, a loss of bone in and of itself does not necessarily increase a woman’s risk for fractures. It is, instead, the decrease in quality of bone that is in the tissue. Osteoporotic fractures commonly occur in the spine, hips, and wrists.

Risk factors for poor bone quality after menopause can include: lack of exercise, a diet high in refined carbohydrates, deficiencies in calcium, magnesium, boron, trace minerals and vitamin D, never having borne a child and depression.

Holistic Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a close relationship between kidney and bone. The theory “Kidney governs bones” shows that bone growth and development are directly interrelated with kidney function.

In menopause and post menopause the Kidney Essence and Yin are in a state of deficiency. As such, it points to a state of direct bone loss, which fits into the exact pathology of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Other than Kidney Essence and Yin deficiency, there are also other syndrome differentiation patterns for postmenopausal osteoporosis according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are namely Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency, Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency, Kidney deficiency and Blood stasis.

Conventional Approach in the treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Current mainstream treatments include medications such as bisphosphonates, estrogen replacement therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), calcitonin, and anabolic agents.

However, adverse drug reactions are frequently reported in clinical practice. For example, bisphosphonates may cause gastrointestinal side effects and rare jaw osteonecrosis. Estrogen replacement therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. SERMs may cause hot flashes and leg cramps.

Holistic Approach in the treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Acupuncture

Scientifically, acupuncture can enhance bone mineral density and help relieve pain in people with postmenopausal osteoporosis. An example is the osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand pathway which consists of proteins essential to the maturation of osteoclasts. These cells break down old bone tissue and form new bone tissue.

Acupuncture for osteoporosis may also help stimulate and regulate hormone production by increasing estrogen and testosterone levels which help to improve bone density.

Based on the kind of syndrome differentiation for the causation of postmenopausal osteoporosis, acupuncture can tonify Kidney Essence and Liver Yin, nourish Spleen and Kidney Yang, improve Blood circulation and clear Blood stasis.

Herbs

The commonly herbal medicines were Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Epimedium, Eucommia ulmoides, Rhizoma Drynariae, Angelica sinensis, Achyranthes, Astragalus propinquus, Psoralen, Cornus officinalis and licorice. Most of the high-frequency drugs mentioned above can tonify deficiency and weakness, and have the effects of nourishing yin, assisting yang, nourishing qi, and nourishing blood.

Energy medicine

Meditation, relaxation, slow, deep abdominal breathing can lead to relaxation response which can reduce stress hormones that can cause bone breakdown.

Lifestyle Changes

Diet changes that include rich minerals such as magnesium, manganese, calcium, boron will enable the bones to thrive. This will involve taking a wide variety of fresh foods, vegetables, fruits and nuts.

A comprehensive exercise program that includes weight-bearing aerobic exercises, strength training, balance exercises, stretching will keep bones well mineralized by putting suitable stress on them, creating a mini-electrical current that draws minerals into the bone.

Quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, limiting caffeine will all help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Read more on Women’s Health: How Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture treat Infertility, Premenstrual Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Recurrent Miscarriages, Irregular Period, Menopause, Menopause and Adrenal Fatigue, Menopausal Hot Flashes here.