Exploration of the Prevention and Treatment Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Osteosarcopenia Based on the Theory of “Bone-Muscle Disharmony”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53469/jcmp.2025.07(03).20Keywords:
Bone-Muscle Disharmony, Osteosarcopenia, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spleen-Kidney Deficiency, Prevention and Treatment StrategiesAbstract
Osteosarcopenia(OS) , a degenerative disease of the musculoskeletal system, shares similarities with the concepts of “bone atrophy” and “muscle atrophy” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its pathological mechanism is succinctly summarized as the “Bone-Muscle Disharmony.” With the accelerating aging of society, the incidence of OS continues to rise, imposing substantial economic burdens on families and society. However, there remains no definitive single therapeutic agent for OS in clinical practice, and treatment efficacy remains uncertain. Given the necessity for long-term or even lifelong management, the development of highly effective, safe, and cost-effective therapeutic strategies is imperative. As a traditional medical system, TCM offers unique advantages in treating musculoskeletal disorders. Based on the theory of “Bone-Muscle Disharmony,” this study explores the overlapping etiological and pathological mechanisms of OS from both TCM and modern medical perspectives. It posits that the core pathology of OS lies in the musculoskeletal system, rooted in the deficiency of the spleen and kidneys. Dysfunction of these two organs leads to “Bone-Muscle Disharmony,” resulting in musculoskeletal imbalance and disease onset. The therapeutic approach emphasizes replenishing deficiencies, harmonizing the spleen and kidneys, and concurrently treating bone and muscle to nourish both the innate (kidney) and acquired (spleen) foundations. This strategy aims to restore flexibility to tendons and bones, reestablishing harmony between bone and muscle, thereby offering novel insights for the prevention and treatment of OS in clinical TCM practice.
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