Many diseases and ailments can be viewed through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This article discusses osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis from the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Dr. Katie

The threat of osteoporosis often simmers quietly on the back burner for many of us. As someone who’s been vegan for over eight years—with no animal-based calcium intake, a smaller frame, and Caucasian ancestry—I know I may carry risk factors for decreasing bone mass and strength with age. But in my clinical practice, I’ve seen many women, including long-term vegans, reverse osteopenia and even osteoporosis with strategic supplementation and lifestyle changes.

Naturopathic medicine offers many well-known tools for bone health: calcium, vitamins D2, D3, and K, boron, strontium, an alkaline diet, and of course, weight-bearing exercise. These are all crucial for supporting a strong and healthy skeletal system.

But what I’d like to share with you is the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective on bone health—and how this ancient system, with its own diagnostic framework, herbal formulas, and acupuncture protocols, offers powerful options for supporting and restoring bone vitality.

TCM’s View of Bones: More Than Just Structure

In TCM, bones are a deeply yin and Blood-rich tissue, tasked with producing marrow and blood cells. At the same time, they are also yang in nature—strong, protective, and essential to upright posture. Importantly, bones are derived from jing, or essence, which is stored in the Kidneys and inherited from our parents and ancestors.

Most people aren’t born with deficient jing. Instead, it becomes depleted over time through chronic patterns like:

• Kidney and Liver yin deficiency

• Qi and Blood stasis

• Spleen qi deficiency leading to Kidney yang deficiency

This long-term depletion can lead to structural weakness—including osteoporosis.

Herbal Support: The Power of Osteo-8

One of my favorite formulas for bone health is a modern herbal blend called Osteo-8. It’s designed to replenish Kidney jing, tonify yin and yang, move Blood, and support bone density and healing.

This formula is especially helpful for:

• Bone strength maintenance

• Recovery after fractures

• Low back or knee soreness

• Pain aggravated by weight-bearing

Key Herbs in Osteo-8

🔹 Lu Jiao (Deer Antler Gelatin)

A potent yang tonic known for increasing strength and libido in men, but also capable of replenishing jing and building bone marrow.

🔹 Gui Ban (Turtle Shell)

Strongly tonifies Liver and Kidney yin, and has documented clinical effects on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and periodontal disease.

🔹 E Jiao (Ass-Hide Gelatin)

Tonifies Blood and Kidney jing, rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium that support bone growth and healing.

Plant-Based Supporters

• Xu Duan (Teasel) – Relieves pain in low back and knees

• Gu Sui Bu (Drynaria) – Primary herb for bone repair post-fracture

• Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) – Nourishes Kidney and Liver, gently supports yang and boosts longevity

Complementary Tonics

• Ren Shen (Korean Ginseng) – Tonifies yuan qi (source energy), supports the five zang organs, but isn’t the king herb here due to its broad-spectrum action

• Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) – A supreme Blood tonic, promotes osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and increases hyaluronic acid—critical for connective tissue and joint lubrication

✨ Note: Because Osteo-8 is highly tonifying, it should not be used in individuals with excess heat, phlegm, or dampness without first addressing those imbalances.

Acupuncture for Bone Health

Acupuncture works synergistically with herbal therapy by supporting jing, qi, Blood, and yin. Here are some key points used to enhance bone strength and treat deficiency:

• UB20 (Pi Shu – Spleen Shu): Supports Blood generation and strengthens bones

• UB23 (Shen Shu – Kidney Shu): Nourishes Kidney, marrow, and jing, relieves low back pain

• DU4 (Ming Men – Gate of Life): Tonifies Kidney yang, nourishes source qi, strengthens lower back

• UB11 (Da Zhu – Great Shuttle): Influential point for Bone, soothes sinews and nourishes Blood

• SP6 (San Yin Jiao – Three Yin Meeting): Harmonizes Spleen, Liver, and Kidney, strengthens yin and stops pain

• CV4 (Guan Yuan – Origin Pass): Tonifies source qi, nourishes jing, yin, yang, and Blood

A skilled TCM practitioner will tailor point combinations and formulas to match your unique pattern of deficiency.

Prevention Is Still the Best Medicine

Even with amazing herbal and acupuncture tools, prevention remains the ultimate goal. In naturopathic and Chinese medicine alike, we aim to support the body before it breaks down.

Gather your family history, reflect on your personal experiences with musculoskeletal or digestive challenges, and start making a plan now—no matter your age. The choices you make in your 30s, 40s, and 50s can profoundly influence how your bones (and your entire body) feel in your 70s, 80s, and beyond.

If we’re lucky, we all get the opportunity to plan for a vibrant, upright, and pain-free life well into our later years. TCM offers a time-tested, energetic, and nourishing approach to help guide that journey.

Yours in health,
Dr. Katie