Osteoarthritis and Chinese Medicine: An Overview of Theories and Evidence

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Hua, Bin and O'Brien, Kylie A (2010) Osteoarthritis and Chinese Medicine: An Overview of Theories and Evidence. The Journal of Chinese Medicine, 94. pp. 44-49. ISSN 0143-8042

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) has been treated with Chinese medicine (CM) for hundreds of years, albeit under the auspices of other clinical descriptors understood within the field of CM. This paper provides an overview of how OA is typically understood and treated within CM. OA has typically fallen under the clinical descriptor of ‘bi syndrome’ (painful obstruction syndrome). As theory continues to develop, however, new ideas are emerging regarding its pathogenesis that have consequences for treatment - that OA should be considered as a combination of ‘wei syndrome’ and bi syndrome. The therapeutic thrust of herbal medicine and acupuncture thus shifts from a focus on the Kidney zang to the Liver zang, and consequently different kinds of herbs are chosen within medicinal formulas. The majority of clinical studies into the efficacy of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of knee OA have methodological shortcomings, although there is some evidence that acupuncture may be useful in alleviating pain and improving joint function. More studies that are scientifically rigorous are required in this field.

Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/8889
Official URL http://www.jcm.co.uk/product/catalog/product/view/...
Subjects Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Biomedical and Health Sciences
Historical > FOR Classification > 1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Historical > SEO Classification > 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences
Keywords ResPubID22950, osteoarthritis, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine
Citations in Scopus 9 - View on Scopus
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