Did you know the signs of osteoporosis often appear suddenly with the development of a painful kyphosis (hunchback) or hip fracture? Astoundingly, over half of women over age 50 years will have a fracture due to osteoporosis. And it is estimated over 1.3 million number of fractures will be due to osteoporosis with an enormous cost. However, 50% of osteoporotic hip fractures and 90% of vertebral spinal compression fractures are preventable. Your Bone Mass should not be thought of only in an emergency, but should be a lifelong striving for preservation and development. This post is about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporosis.
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 (type I). 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. This can be found with immobilization and Sudeck’s atrophy (associated bone changes found with reflex sympathetic dystrophy). Moreover, regional/localized osteoporosis may occur in certain areas of bone as a result of infection, cancer, or an inflammatory arthritis.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Osteoporosis classification/diagnosis
Radiographically (x-ray), osteoporosis is classified based on the area or region found. The classification of Osteoporosis is often primary or secondary. Primary causes include senile and postmenopausal types. And secondary causes include hormonal dysfunction such as hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism. So the thyroid gland uses iodine from food to make two thyroid hormones that regulate the way the body uses energy. While the parathyroid glands are four tiny glands located behind the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands produce a substance (parathyroid hormone) that helps control the amount of calcium in the blood.
The World Health Organization distinguishes the degree of loss of bone mass by two terms:
- osteopenia-bone density greater than 1 standard deviation (SD) below the normal mean but less than or equal to 2.5 SD below the normal mean
- osteoporosis-bone density greater than 2.5 SD below the normal mean
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Anatomy and Physiology of Osteoporosis
First, Osteoporosis occurs due to loss of bone quantity without an associated decrease of bone quality (mineralization is normal). It appears there is increased resorption in the process of bone formation. Indeed, the process of bone formation and resorption is a delicate balance. And environmental, nutritional, and hormonal factors are all involved in this. While genetics play a huge part in bone mass variation, lifestyle is still essential.
Second, Production of bone exceeds resorption (bone breakdown) in early life. Next, the production of bone peaks during and after puberty. Gradually, the production does decline during the mid-20s to early 30s. After this, a small period of balance occurs when production equals resorption. Especially in women, an imbalance in favor of resorption begins in the late 30s and early 40s. The fact is, the rate of bone loss is greater in women than in men in a lifetime. Men only lose 25% of bone mass while women lose 50%. Decreases in estrogen at menopause causes cortical bone loss and therefore increases the risk of fracture.
Third, Bone is composed of two thirds mineral (mainly hydroxyapatite, a mineral composed of phosphorus and calcium). The remaining one third is collagen, water, proteoglycans (type of protein), and other noncollagenous proteins. Type I collagen acts as a framework for deposition of minerals. The process of bone formation and repair is determined by an interaction of three cell types: osteoblasts (form collagen), osteocytes (coordinate bone formation function), and osteoclasts (break down bone).
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Risk Factors and Osteoporosis
Risk factors for osteoporosis include:
- female gender
- white or Asian background
- early menopause
- family history
- lean body form
- lack of exercise in all age groups or excessive exercise in young people
- use of glucocorticoids, phenytoin, aluminum antacids, lithium, loop diuretics, tetracycline, warfarin, thyroid medication, corticosteroids
- heavy alcohol use, smoking, low calcium intake or vitamin D deficiency, high phosphate, fiber, or sodium intake, more than four cups of coffee per day, excessive carbonated drinks (several a day), and possibly a high animal-protein diet
How Does Acupuncture Help Osteoporosis?
Studies have shown that acupuncture improves bone mineral density, bone strength as well as 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 activate and regulate specific signaling pathways in the body, allowing cells to communicate with each other.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporosis: Research
Animal studies have found that acupuncture could increase estrogen and testosterone levels. Estrogen acts as a protector of bones in both men and women by slowing bone resorption. Next, Testosterone plays a double role by stimulating bone formation and may naturally convert estrogen within bone tissue. This may improve bone density.
Additionally, research has been done to prove the benefits off acupuncture towards increasing bone metabolism. Specifically, when acupuncture points are stimulated it works towards building calcitonin. This hormone is responsible for recalcification of bone and reducing bone pain.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporosis: More Research
In another study, a clinical trial was conducted in 226 patients with osteoporosis for 6 months. Participants were randomized to the control group and the acupuncture group. All participants received basic treatment with daily calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 tablet (containing calcium 600 mg/tablet) supplementation. And the acupuncture group received additional acupuncture treatment. After 6 months of treatment, effectiveness in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than those before treatment. The results showed, Acupuncture can increase hip bone density, reduce bone turnover rate and improve bone metabolism. Also, acupuncture can improve body balance and lower limb muscle strength in patients with osteoporosis.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporosis
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: Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture Helps Osteoporosis.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7478384/
Acupuncture and moxibustion for primary osteoporosis
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6594290/
Acupuncture for Primary Osteoporosis: Evidence, Potential Treatment Prescriptions, and Mechanisms
Acupuncture in Treating Osteopenia: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7478384/
Acupuncture and moxibustion for primary osteoporosis