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The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass. And this places them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic disorder of bone, affecting approximately 100 million people worldwide. The disease affects men by age 75 years, even though osteoporosis is often focused on as a women’s health issue. Read on to learn about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporotic Fractures.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: What is Osteoporosis?
Firstly, Osteoporosis is a loss of bone mass associated with deterioration of the microarchitecture (structure and connectivity of bone elements and the thickness of the cortical shell) of bone tissue.
Secondly, Osteoporosis is typically divided into bone loss associated with age, called senile osteoporosis (type II). And postmenopausal osteoporosis is type II. Of course, Women can get both types.
Thirdly, generalized (whole body) osteoporosis is the most common form found with both senile and postmenopausal causes. A regional osteoporosis may occur that is restricted to a bone or part of a limb. Moreover, regional/localized osteoporosis may occur in certain areas of bone as a result of infection, cancer, or an inflammatory arthritis.
“Female Athlete Triad” Condition: Young female athletes with osteoporosis
Specifically, in young female athletes, osteoporosis may be part of the “female athlete triad” condition. This is when the athlete has a condition of disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, and osteoporosis/osteopenia. “Disordered eating” is known to occur often in young female athletes. Disordered eating is classified as restricted eating behaviors. While it is not anorexia nervosa, it is a clinical disorder. For instance, Menstrual Irregularity in young competitive female runners is linked to disordered eating and low bone mineral density (BMD). Similarly, low BMD shows up with disordered eating in young female athletes even without menstrual irregularity.
Compression Fracture and Osteoporosis
The decreased bone mass or increased porosity that occurs with osteoporosis weakens the structural support of the spinal column. In severe cases of osteoporosis, everyday normal activities may cause a spinal compression fracture. This type of vertebral fracture causes loss of height and a “humped” spine even after it is healed, especially in elderly women. This disorder (called kyphosis) is an exaggeration of your spine that causes the shoulders to slump forward and the top of your back to look humped. Pain may subside as the compression fracture is healing. However, many continue to feel some pain even after the compression fracture has healed. Over time, individuals may begin to show a loss of height, stooped over posture, and back pain.
How Does Acupuncture Help Osteoporosis?
Studies have shown that acupuncture improves bone mineral density, bone strength and raises hormone levels. However, the exact mechanism of how is unknown.
Acupuncture is a treatment that has been used for over 4000 years for health problems. Moreover, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) explains acupuncture as a balancing of energy (qi) in each human being to achieve overall wellness. Similarly, TCM says the loss of kidney qi and blood stagnation are mainly responsible for osteoporosis. Acupuncture is a painless technique used to affect what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin. In summary, acupuncture can regulate the balance of qi and blood by stimulating acupoints. And the aim is at improving physiological function.
Today, Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the sensory and proprioceptive nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to your brain and nervous system. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system. This triggers nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs. In summary, Researchers believe acupuncture may help initiate and regulate certain signaling pathways in the body, allowing cells to communicate with each other.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporotic Fractures: Research
In one study, acupuncture aided recovery following a percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Percutaneous vertebroplasty surgery involves injecting a medical grade acrylic cement into a fractured vertebra. The goal is for more stabilization. One group in the study received “percutaneous vertebroplasty monotherapy” and the other received percutaneous vertebroplasty plus acupuncture. The outcome was the patient who received acupuncture did better in healing overall. However, another outcome was that the acupuncture group also reported much less pain. The study concluded, “benefits of acupuncture include improving local circulation to promote efficient healing, reducing swelling and inflammation, and significantly relieving pain”.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporotic Fractures: More Research
Electroacupuncture (EA) is a form of traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy utilizing electrical stimulation.
Because of the analgesic effects of acupuncture, EA speeds fracture healing with less pain. In clinical studies, EA showed significantly faster healing time for fractures and reduction in complications occurring.
In studies, Electroacupuncture was an auxiliary and an adjunctive treatment method for fractures. Researchers found EA positively impacts vascular regeneration and tissue formation throughout the fracture healing course. In contrast, conventional pain-relief drugs, such as opioid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has side effects, does not aid fracture healing and has the risk of addiction.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporotic Fractures
Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience. Call 561-253-8984 today! Ask to make an appointment or find out more about: West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporotic Fractures.
References:
https://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncture-post-op-osteoporosis-fracture-recovery-discovery/
Acupuncture Post-Op Osteoporosis Fracture Recovery Discovery
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11596701/
A review of electroacupuncture in bone repair: Mechanisms and clinical implications
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11596701/
Efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of osteoporosis-related fractures: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis