Approach Of Kidney-Essence-Bone-Marrow-Blood System Theory And Its Application In Orthopaedic Clinical Practices

The "Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic",about 2,000 B.C.,said that kidney is associated with bone growth and development.Examples like "kidney stores essence", "kidney governs bone","bone is the house of marrow","kidney engenders marrow to derive liver" and "liver stores blood".The similar delineation in "Essence of Medical Classics" is "as kidney stores essence,essence produces marrow and marrow grows bone, bone is associated with kidney.Marrow,product of essence,adequacy when essence abundance,just like the bone strength is basic on marrow enrich.On the contrary, deficiency of kidney 'qi' and essence result in malnourished marrow and lead to limb weaknesses." All those descriptions demonstrate the deep connections among kidney, essence,bone,marrow and blood.To follow these principles,traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors treat bone disorders with kidney supplementation and obtain satisfactory results.Regarding this,we conducted a systematic study of the orthopaedic application of "kidney-essence-bone-marrow-blood system" theory by reviewing relevant modern researches and TCM literature.The first part of this article we reviewed and unscrambling the theories of "kidney stores essence","kidney governs bone","kidney engenders marrow which engenders liver' and "liver stores blood" in TCM literatures such as the "Internal Classic".Then give the interpretations and utilities from modern researches and establish the theory of "kidney-essence-bone-marrow-blood system".The second part we investigate the "kidney-essence-bone-marrow-blood system" theory from four different directions:statistical analysis of commonly-prescribed Chinese medicines used in orthopedics disease from both ancient and modern literatures,frequently used formulas,therapeutic efficacies and the researches on the prevention.Finally,by analyzing the related TCM theories in ancient literature as well as the results from modern researches,we demonstrate the strong connections among kidney, essence,bone,marrow and blood.Construct the "kidney-essence-bone-marrow-blood system" theory.Then we can apply this principle to orthopaedics so kidney-tonifying, essence-replenishing,bone-strengthening,marrow-engendering,and blood-enriching medicines as well as formulas can be served as regular treatment which can spell perfect results.In orthopaedics,no mater it is acute blood loss to essence damage in new fractures or chronic depleted original qi in prolonged bony disorders,all may lead to a decreased kidney essence,result in some symptoms like low back pains,osteoarthritis and aching legs in postmenopausal women.Concomitant symptoms as decreased vitality,cold extremities, aching backs and legs,copious clear urine and emissions all indicat kidney yang deficiency.At this time if we provide further evidence and use supplementation to marrow, bone or blood.In order to replenish kidney essence,nourish the marrow and may accordingly facilitate the orthopaedic treatments.