Osteoporosis

How Chinese medicine differentiates osteoporosis through the "Kidney governs Bone" theory, the five patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Acupuncture only — no herbs, and only as supportive care alongside medical bone-health management.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Bone density monitoring and fracture-risk management need medical oversight; acupuncture here is supportive care, not a substitute for that.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for osteoporosis — 8 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
BL-23	Tonifies the Kidneys and nourishes Kidney-Essence, benefits bones and Marrow.
Du-4	Tonifies Kidney-Yang and warms the Gate of Life. Benefits Essence.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood.
G.B.-39	Nourishes Marrow and bone, subdues Liver-Yang.
KI-3	Tonifies the Kidneys (Yin and Yang), benefits Essence.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen, tonifies the Kidneys, nourishes Blood and Yin.
BL-20	Tonifies Spleen and Stomach, resolves Dampness.
Ren-12	Tonifies Stomach and Spleen, regulates Stomach-Qi.
SP-10	Cools Blood, invigorates Blood and eliminates stasis.
BL-17	Invigorates Blood, tonifies Qi and Blood.

The Five Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Kidney Yang Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Cold, aching pain in the lower back and knees, worse with cold, better with warmth; frequent urination, especially at night; fatigue and low spirits; feeling cold all over, especially the lower body; pale complexion.

Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender body with teeth marks, wet white coating. Pulse: Deep, slow, weak, especially at the Chi position.

Treatment principle: Warm and tonify Kidney-Yang, strengthen the Gate of Life Fire, nourish Marrow to fortify bones.

BL-23 ↑ Du-4 ↑ ST-36 ↑ G.B.-39 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Kidney-Yang deficiency.

2. Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Aching soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees; night sweats; heat in the palms, soles and chest; dry mouth and throat.

Tongue: Red, thin body with cracks, little or no coating, dry surface. Pulse: Fine, rapid, wiry, weak at the left Chi (Kidney) position.

Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney and Liver Yin, strengthen bones, anchor deficiency Heat.

BL-23 ↑ KI-3 ↑ G.B.-39 ↑ SP-6 ↑

Note: no moxa. Direct match with Kidney- and Liver-Yin deficiency.

3. Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Cold, aching pain in the lower back and knees; feeling cold all over, especially the hands and feet; poor appetite and bloating after eating; loose stools or diarrhea; fatigue and lack of energy.

Tongue: Pale, swollen, puffy with teeth marks on the sides, white slippery coating. Pulse: Deep, weak, slow, especially feeble at both rear positions and the right middle position.

Treatment principle: Tonify Kidney-Yang and Spleen-Yang, fortify bones, dispel internal Cold.

BL-23 ↑ ST-36 ↑ G.B.-39 ↑ Du-4 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Kidney- and Spleen-Yang deficiency.

4. Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Poor appetite and reduced desire to eat; abdominal bloating that worsens after eating; loose stools or diarrhea; fatigue and lack of energy; sallow or pale complexion; weak and heavy feeling in the limbs.

Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth-marked, thin white coating. Pulse: Weak, soft, especially empty at the right Guan position.

Treatment principle: Tonify Qi, strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, improve nutrient absorption to support bone health.

ST-36 ↑ BL-20 ↑ Ren-12 ↑

Note: moxa applicable. Direct match with Stomach- and Spleen-Qi deficiency.

5. Blood Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing bone pain; pain worse at night; pain that refuses pressure; dark circles under the eyes or a dusky complexion.

Tongue: Purple or dusky body with stasis spots, distended dark sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Choppy or wiry.

Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood, dispel stasis, unblock the channels.

SP-10 ↓ BL-17 ↓ SP-6 ↓

Note: no moxa. Matches Liver-Blood stasis — dark circles under the eyes/dusky complexion and a purple tongue with stasis spots are shared discoloration markers.

Related conditions

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