Bone Spurs in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different bone spurs patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Bone spurs, medically known as osteophytes, are bony outgrowths that develop along the edges of bones. These formations often occur in joints where bones meet, such as the knees, spine, shoulders, and hips, but can also appear on any bone in the body.
Bone spurs are typically the body's response to joint damage or age-related degeneration, serving as an attempt to repair or increase the surface area of joint tissue. While they may not always cause symptoms, bone spurs can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility when they rub against other bones or press on nerves.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regards bone spurs as indicators of a deeper disharmony, described by patterns of imbalance in the body's energy system. A pattern is a snapshot of an ailment, capturing its essence beyond the physical manifestation.
In TCM, determining the exact pattern is vital because it dictates a tailored treatment approach, aiming to rectify the root imbalance, be it in Qi, Blood, Yin, or Yang, rather than merely treating the presenting symptom.
Herbal Formulas for Bone Spurs
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address bone spurs