Unlike the Western medical quest for answers at the microscopic level, ancient Chinese doctors sought an elegant model, derived from the study of nature, that would accurately explain the clinical features of osteoarthritis. Their investigations led to the concept of bi zheng, or impediment pattern, a theory that provides insight into the origins and presentation of arthritis. This traditional model not only fits with the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis, it also offers pragmatic solutions beyond pain management.

In ancient China, as today, arthritis tended to develop with aging. The Chinese concluded that the prevalence of osteoarthritis among the elderly stems from a degeneration of anatomical structure and function, resulting in increased vulnerability to the elements. This theory explains why individuals who tend to be habitually weak or chronically ill often experience accelerated arthritic changes.

Many arthritis patients report exacerbation of pain and joint stiffness in response to cold, damp weather. Inexplicable from a Western structural point-of-view, mainstream medicine frequently dismisses this crucial symptom. In Chinese medicine, however, this finding gave rise to the hypothesis that elemental pathogens of wind, cold, and dampness, exploiting a body compromised by aging, catalyze the break down of our joints. This discovery shed light on the origin of arthritis and pointed to possibilities for effective treatments.

The Chinese tactic of dispelling wind-cold-damp is the primary method used to treat patients with osteoarthritis. The efficacy of the Western medical treatments of hot compresses and physical therapy, both of which also dispel cold and dampness, echo this approach. Corroborated by lengthy clinical experience and more recently by scientific research, the good clinical outcomes of the Chinese medical treatment of osteoarthritis confirm the value of the Chinese medical perspective on this disease and offer an alternative to risky and only moderately effective Western options.