OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism on senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency pattern in the prevention and treatment with acupuncture and Tuina therapy.

METHODSSixty-four cases were randomized into an acupuncture and Tuina therapy group (group A, 34 cases) and a calcium carbonate group (group B, 30 cases). In group A, the patients were treated with acupuncture at the distal acupoints and Tuina therapy in the local area. Acupuncture was applied to bilateral Weizhong (BL 40) and Taixi (KI 3). Tuina therapy was given in the lumbar region. Totally 30 treatments were required. In group B, the Calcium Carbonate D3 were prescribed for oral administration, continuously for 12 weeks. The changes in lumbar curvature, lumbar lordosis index, sacral inclination angle, lumbosacral angle, L5 vertebral index and L3 vertebral index of lumbar biomechanical indices were observed and compared before and after treatment in two groups.

RESULTSIn group A, the lumbar lordosis index and sacral inclination angle were increased after treatment, indicating the statistical significant differences before and after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The improvement of lumbar lordosis index in group A was superior to that in group B [(19.59 +/- 19.16)mm vs (14.47 +/- 13.28)mm, P < 0.05]. After treatment, in group B, L5 vertebral index was improved as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). It was required to have a study on the reasons of its lumbar morphological change.

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture and Tuina therapy regulate the lumbar biomechanical structure through the positive stress stimulation and reconstruct the mechanical equilibrium of the lumbar vertebra. It plays the active significance in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.