Can osteoporosis be treated with moxibustion?

Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
Updated on November 24, 2024
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Osteoporosis can manifest as pain in the lumbar and back areas, as well as in the joints. Moxibustion, with its effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, reducing swelling, and relieving pain, can alleviate these symptoms. However, to thoroughly treat osteoporosis, a causative treatment is necessary, which means taking oral medications specifically for osteoporosis, such as bisphosphonates, estrogen modulators, and calcitonin. These are some of the common medications used. Also, it is important to supplement with calcium and vitamin D, and get plenty of sunlight. Only then can osteoporosis be thoroughly cured through causative treatment. While moxibustion is effective, it does not solve the fundamental issue and is just one of the methods to relieve symptoms.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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What should I do about osteoporosis?

Once osteoporosis is diagnosed, the first step is to change lifestyle habits. For example, if someone likes to drink strong tea and coffee and dislikes exercise, these unhealthy habits should be changed. Additionally, it's beneficial to get more sun exposure, and to supplement the treatment with calcium and vitamin D. Then, it is necessary to visit the hospital and consult a specialized clinic for osteoporosis or the department of metabolic endocrinology for targeted medical intervention, to prevent the condition from worsening and avoid fractures.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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What are the massage techniques for osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is not suitable for massage because if the force is not controlled properly, it can cause fractures. This is due to the fact that fragile bones have a very low stress tolerance, and sometimes even a small external force can cause fractures. Moreover, the spine is the most common site of fractures. If massage is necessary, then only gentle techniques should be used, such as light kneading, pressing, or rolling. Do not apply heavy pressure or manipulate joints, and certainly do not perform bone-setting on others unnecessarily, as this can easily cause fragile fractures, resulting in more harm than good and bringing trouble. Therefore, it is generally best to avoid massages for those with osteoporosis.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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What to do about osteoporosis pain?

After osteoporosis leads to pain, we first need to clarify which part of the body the pain is located, or what causes the pain. If the pain is solely due to osteoporosis, such as decreased bone density in the limbs causing soreness and weakness, it is appropriate to supplement with calcium and vitamin D while also enhancing exercise to alleviate the pain. If the pain is due to fractures caused by osteoporosis, such as vertebral compression fractures or rib fractures, the fractures should first be repositioned, immobilized, and stabilized. Additionally, medications that treat osteoporosis should be used, such as those that inhibit bone resorption and promote bone formation.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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How to Prevent Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common aging-related disease closely associated with aging. The symptoms of osteoporosis can be alleviated and the progression of bone hyperplasia can be prevented through the following methods: proper lifestyle, a balanced diet rich in calcium, low in salt, and with adequate protein, appropriate outdoor activities and sunlight exposure, and engaging in physical exercises beneficial for bone health. Avoid smoking and excessive drinking, and use medications that affect bone metabolism with caution. Additionally, supplementing with calcium and vitamin D can promote bone health, maintain muscle strength, and improve body stability.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Differences between bone hyperplasia and osteoporosis

Bone hyperplasia and osteoporosis are quite different. Firstly, bone hyperplasia occurs due to long-term stress and degeneration of joints, including the lumbar spine, causing the bones around the joints to harden and proliferate, forming bone spurs. On the other hand, osteoporosis mainly results from decalcification and calcium deficiency, leading to weakened or porous bones. These bones are brittle and can easily fracture under trauma. As for the treatment of these two diseases, conservative treatment is mainly used for bone hyperplasia, such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, massage, oral blood-activating and pain-relieving medications, to alleviate local symptoms. Treatment for osteoporosis primarily involves oral medications, such as calcium supplements and vitamin D3, along with exposure to sunlight. Of course, some patients suffer from osteoporosis due to long-term disuse, as seen in patients with hemiplegia who are unable to walk for extended periods, leading to disuse osteoporosis. These patients also need to strengthen their routine functional exercises, such as undergoing suitable rehabilitation to enhance bone strength. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)