Bone absorption is the removal phase of your body's bone remodeling process. This is a natural process by which your body absorbs and then rebuilds bones on a continuous basis. Stimulating acupoints with acupuncture needles can actually inhibit bone absorption, not cause it. Although the entire bone absorption process is healthy for people with normal bone density, inhibiting bone absorption may benefit people who suffer from conditions characterized by low bone density, such as osteoporosis. A reduction in bone removal, or absorption, can allow for a beneficial increase in bone density.
Acupuncture
Acupuncturists believe that people have lines of energy, called meridians, that run from the toes up to the top of the head. There are points along the meridians where energy blockages are common. These spots -- called acupoints or acupuncture points -- are where an acupuncturist inserts a sterilized needle to remove the energy blockage so that energy can again flow freely through that meridian. By stimulating particular points, an acupuncturist may be able to relieve pain or treat conditions like osteoporosis, but you should speak with your doctor before trying alternative medicine such as acupuncture.
Bone Remodeling
Acupuncture may have a positive affect on bone remodeling. Bone cells called osteoclasts remove and absorb bone and osteoblasts make new bone. If you have osteoporosis, or its precursor osteopenia, your bones lack density and cannot afford to have any portion removed by osteoclasts. According to a study published in the "Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine" in June 2004, acupuncture can inhibit bone resorption and reduce the number of osteoclast cells. Without the removal phase of bone remodeling, the cells only make new bone. This increases bone density, which is beneficial for people with osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Points Study
Acupuncture may prevent osteopenia, according to a study published in "The American Journal of Chinese Medicine" in 2004 that was conducted on rats. The rats given acupuncture treatments had heavier bones, a faster bone formation rate and greater bone volume. The study also found that certain points were more effective than others. The stimulation of acupoints ST-36, or stomach 36, and SP-6, or spleen 6, produced greater improvement than stimulating BL-20 and BL-23, or bladder 20 and bladder 23.
Ring of Earth
A particular set of acupoints may help with stronger bones. Dr. C. Norman Shealy named these the ring of earth points. Shealy says that stimulating these points elevates the levels of a hormone called calcitonin. This hormone inhibits bone resorption, or bone removal. It also contributes to the recalcification of osteopenic bone thereby making the bones stronger. These acupoints include bladder 54 and 60, kidney 1, liver 16, governing vessel 20, large intestine 16 and stomach 9. Calcitonin is also available as a prescription drug that your doctor may advise.
References
- Osteopenia: Acupuncture, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia -- an Alternative Medicine Approach That Works
- Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Effects of Acupuncture on Myelogenic Osteoclastogenesis and IL-6 mRNA Expression; X. Liu et al.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Paget's Disease of Bone
- The American Journal of Chinese Medicine; Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture on Bone Mass in Osteopenic Ovariectomized Rats; W. Zhang et al.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Spinal Stenosis
