Osteoporosis and TCM: Has anyone tried... - Bone Health and O...

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Osteoporosis and TCM

6 years ago•7 Replies

Has anyone tried TCM for OP? I used it for a couple of years and subjectively my back felt stronger and all the tickles, soreness and achiness went. Unfortunately I didn’t get a dexa to check as my doctor was so pro Fosamax that visits were met with impatience at best, hostility at worst. The trouble with TCM though is that it is expensive. I did trust my practitioner as he was trained in China and taught in Chinese hospitals twice a year and came highly recommended by a trusted source ie he wasn’t a cowboy who had just done a ‘diploma’ outside China. Research on the issue seems to show promising results with some herbs but of course the expense comes from each patient being prescribed individually rather than there being a proprietary formula. Any advice welcome. Thanks!

BTW I’ve had OP for ten years since 57 without taking meds just supplements except for TCM, and have done reasonably well, am otherwise fit and run, hike, do strengthening exercises and yoga etc , although my back feels a bit dodgy again ie the symptoms above.

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annelii

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Walkingdogs6 years ago

Hi annelid, What exactly is TCM. I was diagnosed with op 8 yrs ago and was offered Alendronic acid. I’d read so much bad stuff about it, I wouldn’t take it. Last year I had to fractures in my spine and I had to take it. I’ve been on for 5 months and have had very little symptoms, although I’d still prefer not to take it. I’m interested to know of any more natural treatments.

annelii• in reply toWalkingdogs6 years ago

Hello, it’s Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses herbs (as well as acupuncture). It’s not generally accepted in the West but has a long history and established practice in China. I don’t feel 100% sure about it (or anything else) but it seemed to make my back feel better over the two years I was using it, unless that was coincidence, and I just wondered if anyone else had achieved good and reliable results. You need to do your own research though to decide what’s right for you. Sorry to hear about your fractures, I’ve had the occasional one as well, in fact I found out about my OP by falling off my bike and breaking my shoulder. Some of the ‘alternative’ OP doctors (eg Lani Simpson and Keith McCormick) say it’s fine to take Fosamax in the short term while you try and find other solutions to stabilise your bones. They are both examples of integrative doctors in the US ie integrating medical and alternative approaches - there doesn’t seem to be an equivalent in the UK, or at least I haven’t found it. Good luck!

Walkingdogs• in reply toannelii6 years ago

Many thanks annelii, I was thinking about getting acupuncture now that I’ve finished with the physiotherapist. Onwards and upwards. 😁

tikigod186 years ago

You sound like me. I used TCM for a lot of things, and found a lot of success. Like you, I finally decided the cost was not worth it. I found it helpful for many things. Not sure what it did for my bones, but helped a lot with other issues. My practitioner, too, was trained in China for 30 years, and knew so much. But one month I spend $1,200, and decided there were better places to put my money. If you have the resources and find a good DOM, you should do well.

annelii• in reply totikigod186 years ago

Thanks for sharing your experience. Mine wasn’t that expensive fortunately - more like £100 a month, and probably more by now, but still a fair bit to pay out over the year. It’s also about trying to decide what to do next now my back’s sore again.... Thanks again.

tikigod18• in reply toannelii6 years ago

I have worked out at at gym for almost 30 years. I got some tips from some trainers, and have made my back better through working at the gym. Much cheaper, lol I had other issues to be fair, and he was helpful eliminating a COPD diagnosis that turned out to be mold and fungus in my lungs, so I am grateful for that!!

annelii• in reply totikigod186 years ago

Thanks again, yes personal trainer might be the way forward. I do core and back strengthening but a little professional help wouldn’t go amiss.