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and osteoporosis
What is osteoporosis? Acupuncture
The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus
Osteoporosis occurs when the struts which make meaning needle and punctura meaning to prick.
Certain strategic areas on the body are pierced with
up the mesh-like structure within bones become fine needles or stimulated with massage, heat or
thin causing them to become fragile and break electricity, which can bring relief of symptoms both
easily, often following a minor bump or fall. These close to the needles and in distant parts of the body.
broken bones are often referred to as fragility
fractures. The terms fracture and broken bone Acupuncture has been found to be helpful in treating
musculoskeletal disorders like rheumatoid arthritis,
mean the same thing. Although fractures can chronic pain and many other conditions. The needles
occur in different parts of the body, the wrists, used by acupuncturists are often disposable and, if
hips and spine are most commonly affected. It is not, should be carefully sterilised before use to avoid
these broken bones or fractures which can lead the risk of HIV or hepatitis.
to the pain associated with osteoporosis. Spinal
Most people feel no pain with acupuncture, although
fractures can also cause loss of height and some may experience a heavy, dull, aching sensation.
curvature of the spine. Symptoms may be relieved immediately or over a
period of time. However, others experience no relief
with this therapy. Acupuncture may, for some people,
Complementary and alternative therapies relieve the pain associated with spinal fractures but
Complementary therapy is an area of health care that
this may only last while treatment is undertaken and
is growing in popularity and many people find such
can reoccur once treatment has stopped.
therapies beneficial in offering relief from pain and
improving their quality of life. The cost of acupuncture and the number of sessions
needed will vary according to the condition being
At present there is no evidence that complementary
treated. Your own doctor may offer acupuncture
therapies increase bone density or reduce the risk
or may be able to refer you to a physiotherapist,
of broken bones. Most of these therapies have not
nurse or other health professional who offers this
undergone the vigorous testing and trials expected of
service. Acupuncture can also be performed by
conventional medicine so you are unlikely to find proof
non- medically qualified acupuncturists and by lay
that they work to reduce pain. However, for those
practitioners.
people who have sustained fractures as a result of
osteoporosis, this approach may offer additional relief When choosing an acupuncturist it is recommended
from pain and other symptoms. that you find out about the practitioners qualifications
and experience, and to ask whether they are certified
Complementary therapy is increasingly being used
with a recognised body.
alongside conventional medicine as part of a persons
pain management plan and many hospitals run pain A doctor qualified in acupuncture will be registered
clinics which offer a wide range of treatment options with the British Medical Acupuncture Society, and
including complementary approaches. In all situations, physiotherapists with the Acupuncture Association of
it is important that the therapist is made fully aware Chartered Physiotherapists. The British Acupuncture
of an individuals medical history before commencing Council represent the largest group of practitioners
treatment and it is important that you explain that and hold a nation-wide register. At present, the
you have osteoporosis and may be at a higher risk of practice of acupuncture is not statutorily regulated;
breaking bones. however, there are proposals for both acupuncture
and herbal medicine to have statutory status in the
Some of the most commonly used therapies
near future.
are described in this factsheet. A list of useful
organisations and their contact details is also The National Institute for Health and Care
included. Excellence (NICE), the independent body that
advises NHS doctors on best clinical practice, has
Aromatherapy Council
www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk
nurses@nos.org.uk
This factsheet is one of a range of leaflets and publications produced by the National Osteoporosis
Society. If you would like more information on osteoporosis please ask us for a copy of our booklet
All About Osteoporosis by calling 0845 130 3076.
Any medical information in this factsheet is not intended to replace the advice given by
your doctor.