Acupuncture Shows Effective Results in the Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis, reveals research
Acupuncture has emerged as a promising treatment for primary osteoporosis (POP), according to a new meta-analysis involving 40 clinical studies and over 2,600 participants. The findings published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research highlight the potential of acupuncture in improving bone health and reducing pain for individuals with this debilitating condition.
The meta-analysis compared acupuncture treatments against conventional medical therapies and placebo interventions. This research assessed key health indicators, including bone mineral density (BMD), pain levels, clinical effectiveness rates, estradiol (E2) levels, and disability indices.
The results revealed that acupuncture significantly increased BMD by an average mean difference (MD) of 0.04 units. This improvement indicates a notable improvement in bone strength for patients treated with acupuncture. Also, the therapy was associated with a 24% higher clinical efficacy rate when compared to conventional treatments, signifying overall better health outcomes.
One of the most striking findings was the substantial reduction in pain reported by participants who were undergoing acupuncture treatments. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores showed a significant drop, with an average standardized mean difference (SMD) of -1.79 points. This highlighted the potential of acupuncture as an effective pain management strategy for POP patients.
Hormonal improvements were also evident where the levels of estradiol (E2) showed a moderate but meaningful increase (SMD 0.30). However, data on disability index (ODI) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were insufficient to draw conclusive results. All participants were from China, which has raised concerns about sample diversity. This also has emphasized the need for high-quality, multicenter studies conducted across different countries to validate the results and ensure broader applicability.
The study concludes that acupuncture can be an effective physical intervention for patients with POP, complementing conventional treatments. This research underlines the growing interest in integrating traditional therapies with modern medicine for better health outcomes. Overall, acupuncture may offer a natural, non-invasive solution to help patients improve their bone health and overall quality of life as osteoporosis continues to impact the lives of millions globally.
Source:
Ma, T., Zhang, T., Zhang, L., Zhao, H., Liu, K., Kuang, J., & Ou, L. (2025). Efficacy of acupuncture for primary osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05513-9
