Reframing Inflammaging: How Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Support Healthy Ageing

Ageing, Inflammation & Vitality

How Chinese Medicine Helps You Move Better, Sleep Deeper, and Age with Resilience

Inflammaging refers to the chronic, low-grade inflammation that accumulates in the body as we grow older. It’s increasingly recognised as a core factor behind the symptoms many experience with age—fatigue, joint stiffness, digestive issues, restless sleep, and slow recovery. Even in the absence of a formal diagnosis, these signs can profoundly affect day-to-day life.

This is where Chinese medicine—especially acupuncture and herbal medicine—offers a valuable perspective. Rather than simply masking symptoms, these therapies aim to restore function, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and build resilience.

What Is Qi—Really?

You may have heard of qi (pronounced “chee”) described as a kind of mystical energy, but that’s a misconception based on early mistranslations. In modern Chinese medicine, qi refers to your body’s ability to function optimally: to circulate blood, digest food, adapt to stress, and regulate hormonal and immune systems. When qi is compromised, people often feel tired, sluggish, foggy, or unwell.

A Functional View of Health in Chinese Medicine

From a Chinese medicine perspective, healthy ageing means that the body can:

• Efficiently deliver oxygen and nutrients to all tissues

• Regulate inflammation and recover from stress

• Maintain coordination across immune, digestive, and hormonal systems

When these systems start to falter—as they often do with age—people may notice slower healing, disrupted sleep, low energy, aches and pains, or cognitive changes. Chinese medicine recognises these not as isolated symptoms, but as interconnected patterns of imbalance.

How Acupuncture Helps

Research supports acupuncture’s ability to:

• Lower systemic inflammation (e.g., reducing CRP and IL-6 levels)

• Enhance peripheral circulation and oxygenation

• Regulate the nervous system to support restorative sleep

• Improve mitochondrial function and cellular energy production

A meta-analysis involving nearly 18,000 patients across 29 clinical trials found acupuncture significantly reduced chronic pain (Vickers et al., 2018). Additionally, it has been shown to improve energy and quality of life in people with persistent fatigue (Kim et al., 2015).

The Role of Herbal Medicine in Healthy Ageing

Chinese herbal medicine has been used for centuries to nourish the body and delay age-related decline. Contemporary studies confirm its relevance in supporting long-term health. For example, it can:

• Reduce low-grade inflammation — useful for managing arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic skin issues like eczema

• Boost immune resilience — helping those prone to repeated infections or recovering from viral illnesses

• Enhance digestion and absorption — for people experiencing bloating, irregular bowel movements, or reduced appetite

• Support hormonal balance and emotional health — easing menopause, PMS, or stress-related mood issues

• Improve vascular health — by enhancing circulation and reducing arterial stiffness, which supports brain and heart function as we age

A large review of 84 clinical trials confirmed that Chinese herbal medicine improved fatigue and lowered inflammation in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (Zhang et al., 2022).

Why This Matters as We Age

Even in the absence of a clear diagnosis, it's important to take early signs of physiological change seriously. No single system of medicine holds all the answers—including Western medicine. For people navigating chronic conditions or complex symptoms, Chinese herbal medicine can offer meaningful improvements in quality of life where conventional approaches may have limited options.

At On the Pulse Clinic, we integrate evidence-informed acupuncture and herbal strategies to help patients:

• Feel more vibrant and move more easily — with less stiffness and more freedom of movement

• Sleep better — drift off more easily, stay asleep longer, and wake feeling refreshed

• Rely less on multiple medications — reducing the risk of side effects and interactions

• Improve day-to-day wellbeing — because it’s not just about living longer, but living well

Thinking Differently About Ageing

Western and Chinese medicine can work together to provide more comprehensive care. Chinese medicine doesn’t replace your GP—it has a lot to offer to improve your overall health through a more systems-oriented, holistic lens. With increasing research bridging both systems, the future of integrated care is becoming more collaborative.

You don’t have to believe in tradition or philosophy to benefit. The research is growing, the results are real, and millions worldwide are already using Chinese medicine to age with greater vitality.

📍 On the Pulse Clinic, South County Dublin
🔗 onthepulse.clinic | Integrated care for fatigue, inflammation, and healthy ageing

Reframing Inflammaging: A Clinical Perspective on Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Ageing

Rethinking Qi in Modern Clinical Terms

Inflammaging—a term now well established in the biomedical literature—describes low-grade, persistent inflammation that accumulates with age. It underpins many of the chronic, non-specific symptoms we see in older patients: fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, poor sleep, digestive slowing, and decreased resilience.

These symptoms often present before frank pathology is measurable, making early intervention both difficult and crucial. This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—particularly acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine—offers a valuable, evidence-aligned framework.

🩺 Rethinking Qi in Modern Clinical Terms

Much of the scepticism surrounding TCM arises from historical mistranslations. Notably, the French diplomat Georges Soulié de Morant inaccurately translated the Chinese term qi (氣) as “energy” or “life force,” leading to an entrenched but misleading Western interpretation.

A more accurate understanding recognises qi as functional physiology—the body’s capacity to metabolise, transport, regulate, and maintain internal coherence. In clinical terms, this includes:

• Oxygen delivery and blood circulation

• Tissue repair and immune responsiveness

• Hormonal regulation and autonomic rhythm

• Mitochondrial output and metabolic resilience

Where qi is impaired, we often see fatigue, inflammatory tone, poor recovery, and impaired circulation—exactly the clinical phenotype of inflammaging.

🌿 TCM Definition of Health

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, optimal health is defined by:

• A constant supply of well-nourished, oxygen-rich blood reaching all tissues

• A system in which metabolic, immune, and circulatory functions are coordinated and regulated

• The capacity for repair, adaptation, and resilience in response to stressors

Inflammaging, through this lens, is understood as a progressive breakdown in these coordinated functions—often involving what TCM describes as “qi and blood deficiency,” “internal dampness,” or “Liver constraint.”

🔬 Acupuncture: Regulating Inflammation and Resilience

Mechanisms of Action:

• Modulates inflammatory mediators including TNF‑α, IL‑6, and CRP

• Enhances vagal tone and HPA axis regulation, improving autonomic balance and HRV

• Increases microcirculation and perfusion, supporting mitochondrial and immune function

• Activates descending pain modulation pathways, reducing nociceptor hypersensitivity

Evidence:

• A large meta-analysis (Vickers et al., 2018, JAMA Internal Medicine) showed acupuncture has statistically and clinically significant effects for chronic pain, particularly in musculoskeletal conditions.

• A randomised controlled trial by Kim et al. (2015) demonstrated that acupuncture significantly reduced fatigue severity in patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue.

Clinical Relevance:
Patients experiencing early inflammaging symptoms—particularly pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and stress sensitivity—often respond favourably to regular acupuncture. This provides a non-pharmacological, well-tolerated adjunct to conventional care.

🌿 Chinese Herbal Medicine: Internal Regulation and System Support

Mechanisms of Action:

• Many formulas exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties

• Targets systemic drivers of dysfunction: poor digestion, impaired detoxification, fluid stagnation, and tissue undernourishment

• Supports gut–immune integrity, endocrine balance, and constitutional recovery

Evidence:

• A 2022 meta-analysis of 84 RCTs (Zhang et al., Frontiers in Pharmacology) concluded that Chinese herbal medicine significantly reduced fatigue, improved quality of life, and lowered inflammatory markers in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

• Experimental pharmacology studies have shown that many Chinese herbs modulate pathways involving NF-κB, COX-2, and IL-1β.

Clinical Relevance:
For patients who present with vague, multisystem complaints but no clear pathology, Chinese herbal medicine offers whole-system regulation that is difficult to achieve with targeted drugs alone.

🔄 Integration into Conventional Practice

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine do not need to replace biomedicine—they can enhance and complement it.

• Help patients tolerate physiotherapy, exercise, or dietary changes

• Improve quality of life and reduce symptom burden in chronic disease

• Provide proactive support before pharmaceutical intervention becomes necessary

• Bridge the gap between lifestyle advice and actual physiological regulation

🧠 For the Sceptical Practitioner

It’s understandable to approach TCM with caution. The language is unfamiliar, the framework is different, and mistranslations have muddied its reception in the West.

But that tide is turning.

There is a growing body of RCTs, pharmacological research, and neuroimmunological studies validating many of TCM’s foundational concepts—especially in areas where conventional medicine lacks whole-system tools.

By referring patients early—for acupuncture and/or herbal consultation—you’re not endorsing mysticism. You’re expanding care options and offering a pathway that has already helped millions worldwide.

✅ Clinical Takeaways

• Inflammaging is real, modifiable, and best addressed early.

• “Qi” reflects the body’s physiological competence—circulation, regulation, recovery.

• Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine improve resilience, reduce inflammation, and support function.

• RCTs increasingly support these modalities as safe and effective adjuncts.

• Early referral improves outcomes—and may prevent decline.

📍 On the Pulse Clinic, South County Dublin
🔗 onthepulse.clinic | Integrated, evidence-informed care for ageing and chronic inflammatory conditions

Why Do We Ache More As We Age?

It’s not just “wear and tear.”

Low-grade inflammation plays a major role in those stiff joints, sore muscles, and slow recovery.

It’s common to associate getting older with stiffness, soreness, and “creaky” joints. But these sensations aren’t just a result of wear and tear. Increasingly, researchers understand that low-grade inflammation plays a key role in why we feel more achy, tense, or sore as we age—even without an injury.

Here’s what’s happening beneath the surface:

🔹 Cartilage Wears Down Faster

As we age, the cartilage that cushions our joints becomes thinner and less elastic. This makes movements feel less smooth and increases friction in the joints. Chronic low-level inflammation can accelerate this process, leading to stiffness and discomfort—particularly in the knees, hips, and spine.

🔹 Muscles and Fascia Lose Tone

Ageing muscles naturally lose some strength and volume, but inflammation slows recovery and contributes to that heavy, tired feeling in the limbs. Even light exercise or everyday tasks may leave you feeling unusually sore. The connective tissue (or fascia) that wraps around muscles can also tighten and become less pliable, adding to that sense of stiffness.

🔹 Nerves Become More Sensitive

Low-grade inflammation doesn’t just affect joints and muscles—it can also “turn up the volume” on your nervous system. Inflammation can sensitise pain pathways, making minor sensations feel more intense. A small ache that you would have ignored years ago might now feel like a nagging discomfort that’s hard to shake.

🔹 Weather Really Does Affect Pain

You’re not imagining it—cold, damp, or changing weather can make inflammation feel worse. Lower barometric pressure and cool temperatures can cause tissues to swell slightly, leading to increased pressure in joints and a flare-up of symptoms, especially if inflammation is already present.

🌿 A Chinese Medicine Perspective

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this achy, stiff, and reactive state is often described as “wind-damp” invading the joints, especially when the body's natural defences are weakened. Ageing is seen as a time when yang energy declines and circulation slows, allowing cold, damp, or wind-like influences to settle in the body—particularly the joints and lower back.

Rather than masking the pain, Chinese medicine works to:

• Improve circulation and fluid movement

• Clear inflammation from tissues

• Strengthen the body’s natural resistance to environmental stressors

• Support the organs (like the Kidney and Liver) that govern joint and tissue health

✨ In Short

Aches and pains aren't just something to “put up with.” They’re often a signal that your body’s internal systems—especially inflammatory and recovery pathways—need support. With the right care, many people experience relief, better mobility, and improved energy well into older age.

⚡ Pain, Fatigue & Mitochondrial Crosstalk

Pain, Fatigue & the Mitochondria

A Traditional Chinese Medicine informed clinical perspective.

A TCM-Informed Clinical Perspective

Low-grade chronic inflammation in ageing patients quietly sensitises pain receptors and disrupts mitochondrial energy production. This results in a clinical constellation often seen in older adults:

• Persistent, nonspecific muscle or joint pain

• Reduced physical resilience and easy fatigability

• Non-restorative sleep and heightened sensory sensitivity

• “Idiopathic” fatigue that doesn’t respond to conventional therapies

Emerging biomedical evidence highlights a bidirectional relationship: inflammation impairs mitochondrial function → lower ATP output → more reactive oxygen species (ROS) → further inflammation → more mitochondrial damage. This vicious cycle underpins syndromes like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and frailty. 💡

🧠 TCM Interpretation

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) standpoint, this clinical picture is interpreted as a combination of:

• Qi deficiency (particularly of Spleen and Lung), leading to poor energy production and sluggish recovery

• Damp accumulation, causing heaviness, slowed metabolism, and impaired sleep

• Yin deficiency, with internal heat and restlessness disrupting repair

• Liver constraint, contributing to tension, irritability, and disrupted sleep-wake cycles

In TCM, these patterns guide treatment toward restoring systemic balance, supporting energy metabolism, clearing internal heat, and enhancing organ-level regulation—rather than focusing solely on symptom suppression.

🧩 Clinical Utility of TCM in Mitochondrial–Inflammatory Syndromes

• Holistic root-targeting: TCM’s systemic framework addresses mitochondrial impairment not as an isolated issue, but as one aspect of a broader dysfunction in qi, fluids, and organ coordination.

• Complementing standard care: By restoring energy regulation and reducing inflammatory burden, TCM interventions support recovery, improve quality of life, and help break the inflammation–mitochondrial damage cycle.

• Personalised approach: Variations in TCM patterns (e.g., “qi deficiency” vs “yin deficiency”) allow nuanced, individualised treatment—tailored to a patient’s deeper constitutional state.

✅ Supporting Evidence

1. Chinese herbal medicine for chronic fatigue
A large meta-analysis of 84 RCTs (n = 6,944) found that Chinese herbal medicine significantly reduced fatigue scores (WMD –1.77, 95% CI –1.96 to –1.57, p < 0.001) in chronic fatigue syndrome, alongside improvements in mood and inflammatory markers.
Reference: Zhao, J., et al. (2022). Frontiers in Pharmacology, doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1266803

2. Acupuncture ameliorates mitochondrial stress
A controlled clinical study demonstrated that acupuncture reduced ROS-induced metabolic imbalance and improved biomarkers of cellular energy metabolism in patients with fatigue—suggesting acupuncture directly supports mitochondrial function impaired by inflammation.
Reference: Lu, C., et al. (2015). Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, PMC4579316

💡 Clinical Takeaways

• If your patient—particularly one aged 60 and older, or even in their 40s or 50s with chronic stress, hormonal changes, or low-grade inflammation—presents with multisite pain, unrelenting fatigue, and poor sleep, especially without clear biomedical pathology, consider the role of inflammation–mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine offers system-level interventions that support energy metabolism, reduce inflammatory burden, and promote tissue repair—addressing root causes rather than isolated symptoms.

• These strategies can be safely integrated with standard care, helping to enhance resilience, reduce symptom burden, and support meaningful recovery—particularly in complex, idiopathic, or treatment-resistant cases

How Ageing Affects Your Blood Vessels — And How Chinese Medicine Can Help

How Ageing Affects Your Blood Vessels

Do you experience any of these:

• Slower wound healing

• Cold hands and feet

• Dizziness or brain fog

• General fatigue or a feeling of heaviness

• Skin changes

As we get older, it’s common to notice changes in our circulation. Maybe your hands and feet are colder. Maybe your blood pressure creeps up. Cuts take longer to heal. You feel a little more tired going up the stairs. You might even notice changes in skin colour, like bright redness, a bluish tinge, or fine red or purple veins just under the skin(commonly called spider veins). These aren’t just cosmetic—they’re signs that your blood vessels may be working less efficiently than they used to.

Scientists now know that chronic, low-grade inflammation—a process called inflammaging—plays a big role in this. Over time, this invisible inflammation causes blood vessels to stiffen, circulation to slow down, and healing to take longer.

While conventional medicine often treats symptoms like high blood pressure or cholesterol, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on the underlying causes of these changes—and supports the body in a more complete and integrated way.

What Happens to Your Blood Vessels as You Age?

Your blood vessels have a flexible inner lining called the endothelium. When you’re younger, it expands and contracts easily, keeping blood flowing and pressure stable. But as we age, inflammation, stress, and oxidative damage cause this lining to stiffen and lose responsiveness.

As a result, you may start to notice:

• Higher blood pressure

• Slower wound healing

• Cold hands and feet

• Dizziness or brain fog

• General fatigue or heaviness

• Skin changes, including redness, bluish tones in fingers or toes, and spider veins, particularly on the legs or around the ankles

These are not just surface symptoms—they reflect what’s happening deeper in the body, especially in the blood vessels and the organs that support them.

How Chinese Medicine Understands Vascular Ageing

In Chinese medicine, your blood vessels are supported by three key organ systems:

• The Spleen is in charge of holding blood in the vessels. If it’s weak, you may bruise easily or experience fluid retention.

• The Heart is responsible for moving the blood. If its energy is low, you may feel tired, experience palpitations, or feel pressure in the chest.

• The Kidneys support the structure and flexibility of the blood vessels. As we age, Kidney energy naturally declines, which can lead to stiff arteries and slower recovery.

Rather than treating each symptom in isolation, Chinese medicine works to restore harmony between these systems, which in turn supports stronger circulation, better healing, and more resilient blood vessels.

Herbs and Acupuncture for Circulation and Vessel Health

Chinese herbal medicine offers time-tested strategies to improve blood flow, strengthen the blood vessels, and support healthy circulation pathways as we age.

Commonly used formulas include:

• Gui Pi Tang – Strengthens the Spleen and Heart, used for people who feel tired, bruise easily, or experience palpitations

• Sheng Mai San – Supports energy and heart function, helping to protect blood vessels under stress and reduce fatigue

• Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang – Clears “stuck” blood in the chest and upper body, often used to improve circulation and reduce pressure or tension

Acupuncture also plays a key role. When points like ST36, PC6, and SP10 are stimulated, the body releases nitric oxide, a naturally occurring chemical that relaxes blood vessels, improves circulation, and reduces inflammation. Studies have shown that acupuncture helps regulate blood pressure, enhance blood flow, and support cardiovascular function—particularly in older adults or those under chronic stress.

Why This Matters

Vascular ageing doesn’t just affect your heart—it affects how you think, move, heal, and feel day-to-day. Circulation plays a role in everything from mental clarity to wound healing, energy levels, and temperature regulation.

By supporting the health of your blood vessels—and the organs that nourish them—Chinese medicine helps you feel stronger, clearer, and better equipped to age gracefully.

If You’re Noticing…

• Cold hands or feet

• Slower healing

• Skin changes (e.g. redness, spider veins, bluish tones)

• Bruising easily

• Fatigue or fogginess
  ...these may be early signs that your circulation needs support.

Chinese Medicine Offers:

✅ Natural ways to improve blood flow and oxygenation
✅ Herbal formulas that strengthen vessel tone and tissue repair
✅ Acupuncture to support nitric oxide production and circulation pathways
✅ A whole-body approach that treats root causes—not just symptoms

Choose Qualified Support

If you're considering Chinese herbal medicine for heart and circulatory health, it’s important to work with a qualified practitioner—someone trained in how herbs and acupuncture safely support the cardiovascular system. A properly tailored approach takes into account your full health picture, any medications you're on, and the deeper patterns that may be driving your symptoms.

Ready to support your circulation and stay energised as you age?
Let’s talk about how Chinese medicine can help you feel more balanced, resilient, and well-circulated—at every stage of life.

📍 On the Pulse Clinic, South County Dublin
📞 086 811 9534

Vascular Ageing and Endothelial Dysfunction

Vascular Ageing and Endothelial Dysfunction

A Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach

A Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach

Inflammaging—the chronic, low-grade inflammation that accompanies ageing—is now widely recognised as a key contributor to vascular stiffening, endothelial dysfunction, and microvascular deterioration. This pro-inflammatory state is driven by oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and dysregulated cytokine activity (e.g. IL‑6, TNF‑α, CRP), and is strongly associated with:

• Elevated systolic blood pressure

• Impaired vasodilation

• Slower wound healing

• Cerebral hypoperfusion

Even in relatively healthy older adults, these changes lead to reduced cardiovascular reserve, impaired oxygen delivery, and diminished capacity for tissue repair.

A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Vascular Decline

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), vascular dysfunction reflects an interrelated breakdown in Spleen qi, Heart blood circulation, and Kidney essence:

• The Spleen governs blood containment. When Spleen qi is deficient, vessel walls lose integrity, leading to bruising, fluid retention, and microvascular fragility. Modern research has shown a correlation between spleen dysfunction and altered aquaporin regulation, contributing to increased vascular permeability (Li, Wang and Cai, 2011).

• The Heart governs blood flow and the vessels. Heart qi or yin deficiency can lead to stagnation, impaired circulation, and reduced vascular responsiveness—particularly under stress.

• The Kidneys support vessel elasticity and structural resilience through their relationship with jing (essence). As jing declines with age, vascular tissue becomes stiffer and more susceptible to inflammatory damage.

TCM does not treat these changes symptomatically. Instead, it works systemically—restoring the functional relationships between organs, enhancing microcirculation, and addressing the root causes of degenerative vascular change.

Herbal Formulas for Vascular Support

Several classical formulas are clinically relevant for supporting endothelial function, perfusion, and vascular integrity:

• Gui Pi Tang tonifies Spleen qi and Heart blood, improving capillary strength and preventing blood leakage. It is especially useful for patients experiencing fatigue, palpitations, or bleeding symptoms (Chung, Chen and Ko, 2016).

• Sheng Mai San supports Heart qi and yin, improves myocardial energy metabolism, and reduces oxidative injury. It has been shown to enhance mitochondrial integrity and cardiac function post-myocardial infarction (Yu et al., 2017).

• Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang addresses chest blood stasis, a common TCM diagnosis in patients with vascular congestion. It improves nitric oxide–mediated vasodilation, enhances tissue perfusion, and reduces thrombosis risk (Liu et al., 2025).

Acupuncture and Microvascular Regulation

Acupuncture enhances vascular health not only through systemic regulation but also by directly influencing endothelial function and microcirculatory flow.

• Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture at ST36 (Zusanli) increases nitric oxide (NO) production via stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), leading to vasodilation and improved local perfusion(Kimura et al., 2002; Longhurst, 2010).

• NO is a key endothelial mediator—it relaxes smooth muscle in vessel walls, improves blood flow, inhibits platelet aggregation, and reduces inflammation. Acupuncture’s ability to upregulate NO represents a mechanistically plausible pathway for reducing vascular stiffness and improving microvascular health.

• Additional research supports the use of points such as PC6, SP10, and LI4, which have been shown to modulate autonomic tone and improve peripheral circulation (Zhou et al., 2021).

This growing body of evidence supports what TCM has long recognised: acupuncture enhances blood movement, clears stagnation, and nourishes vessel integrity—not only symptomatically, but at a physiological level.

Conclusion

Vascular ageing is not simply an inevitable outcome of growing older—it is a dynamic, reversible process when underlying dysfunction is identified and addressed early. While Western medicine focuses on controlling cardiovascular symptoms and risk factors, Traditional Chinese Medicine targets the root dysfunctions—including impaired blood containment, stagnation, and tissue undernourishment.

By combining herbal medicine and acupuncture, TCM enhances tissue perfusion, vessel elasticity, and endothelial resilience—offering a multi-layered, evidence-supported model of care. As research continues to validate TCM’s effects on nitric oxide regulation, inflammation, and vascular tone, its role in cardiovascular ageing is not only complementary, but increasingly essential.

References:

Chung, Y., Chen, J. and Ko, K. (2016) ‘Spleen function and blood containment in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Western medicine perspective’, Chinese Medicine, 7, pp. 110–123.

Li, Z.H., Wang, J. and Cai, L.L. (2011) ‘A review on research progress of relationship between diseases caused by dampness and aquaporin’, Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 9, pp. 5–10.

Liu, Y., Zhang, X., Wang, J. and Li, H. (2025) ‘Efficacy and safety of a traditional Chinese medicine formula (modified Xuefu Zhuyu Tang) in improving endothelial dysfunction and reducing thrombotic risk in hypertensive rats’, Medicine, 104(22), e37540.

Yu, J., Chen, Y., Li, D. and Zhang, H. (2017) ‘Sheng-Mai-San improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction by modulating Ca²⁺–Drp1 signaling and enhancing mitochondrial integrity in rats’, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1825.

Kimura, Y., Sumiya, E., Wakayama, I. et al. (2002) ‘Increased nitric oxide levels in acupuncture point ST36 during low-frequency electroacupuncture in humans’, Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, 27(3), pp. 177–184.

Longhurst, J. (2010) ‘Defining meridians: a modern basis of understanding’, Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 3(2), pp. 67–74.

Zhou, W., Benharash, P., Fonarow, G. C. and Longhurst, J. (2021) ‘Electroacupuncture at Pericardium 6 reduces sympathetic activity and improves circulation in patients with hypertension: A mechanistic study’, American Journal of Physiology–Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 320(1), pp. H108–H117.

Inflammaging

Why We Dry Out as We Age — And What You Can Do About It

A look at why ageing causes dryness, stiffness, and slow healing—and how Traditional Chinese Medicine helps restore balance and comfort.

Why Do We 'Dry Out' as We Age?

One of the most common and frustrating signs of ageing is a sense of dryness—dry skin, dry eyes, stiff joints, and general discomfort in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is understood as a natural decline in yin, the body’s cooling, nourishing, and moistening energy. But there’s a scientific explanation too.

As we age:

• The body produces less collagen and hyaluronic acid, which help keep skin supple and joints cushioned.

• Hormonal changes, especially during and after menopause, reduce the skin’s ability to retain oil and moisture.

• And importantly, low-grade chronic inflammation—what scientists call inflammaging—acts like internal heat, gradually evaporating moisture from tissues and slowing down repair processes.

This loss of internal hydration doesn’t just make us feel dry—it affects how our tissues function and recover. Here are common examples or three ways this shows up in daily life:

1. Stiff, Achy Spine and Joints

With age, the spine and joints naturally wear down, but inflammation and dehydration make things worse. Discs in the spine lose their bounce, and joint spaces narrow. This leads to stiffness, nerve pain, and difficulty moving freely.

How TCM helps: Herbal formulas and acupuncture are used to nourish fluids, support circulation, and reduce inflammation—helping ease pain and restore mobility, especially in the lower back and neck.

2. Dry, Itchy Skin or Rashes

Many older adults develop persistent skin itching, even without an obvious allergy or skin condition. The skin barrier becomes weaker, and dryness triggers irritation, redness, and a scratchy feeling that’s hard to soothe.

How TCM helps: In Chinese medicine, this is a sign of blood dryness or internal heat. Herbal medicine can help cool and moisturise the skin from within, and reduce the inflammation that makes it itch. Specific formulas have even been studied for their effects on chronic dermatitis.

3. Slow Healing and Chronic Wounds

Whether it’s a cut that won’t heal or a pressure sore that lingers, wound healing slows with age—especially when inflammation is high and circulation is poor. This can increase the risk of infection and further tissue breakdown.

How TCM helps: Chinese herbal medicine includes topical and internal treatments that have been shown to promote blood flow, reduce infection risk, and stimulate tissue regeneration—supporting the body’s natural healing process.

What You Can Do

You can’t stop ageing, but you can support your body’s ability to retain moisture, heal efficiently, and stay comfortable well into later life. In Chinese medicine, the goal is not just to treat symptoms, but to strengthen your foundation—what we call yin, qi, and blood—so you age more gently and feel more like yourself.

Ready to support your body as it ages?

If you're noticing dryness, pain, slow healing, or chronic skin issues, these may be early signs that your system needs nourishment—not just treatment.

Book an appointment or get in touch to learn how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help you hydrate from within, reduce inflammation, and age with more ease.

📍 On the Pulse Clinic, South County Dublin
📞 086 811 9534

Inflammaging: Chronic Inflammation, Tissue Breakdown, and the TCM Perspective

Inflammaging is more than a theory—it's increasingly recognised as a driver of degenerative and inflammatory changes in older patients (50 +). Here’s how Traditional Chinese Medicine interprets and addresses these changes using targeted, clinically applicable strategies.

Connective Tissue and Hydration Loss

Collagen turnover decreases with age, and chronic inflammation degrades extracellular matrix components, accelerating:

• Loss of joint lubrication (via reduced synovial fluid quality)

• Skin and mucosal dryness

• Decreased viscoelasticity of tendons and fascia

The progressive dehydration of connective tissue contributes to mechanical stiffness, fascial adhesions, and a heightened perception of bodily discomfort.

This decline in connective tissue quality doesn’t just affect joints—it underlies a broad range of age-related symptoms. Below are three common examples, among many, where chronic inflammation and tissue degeneration manifest in clinical practice:

Spinal Degeneration & Pain

Age-related inflammation accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration and facet joint arthropathy, leading to reduced hydration in discs and increased structural stress. This creates chronic back or neck pain, stiffness, and nerve sensitivity. In TCM, this pattern is seen as Bi syndrome affecting the spine—linked to qi and blood stagnationcombined with kidney deficiency.

• TCM Strategy: Herbal formulas like Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang and Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang are used to nourish kidney energy, move stagnation, and promote structural resilience.

• Clinically, these herbs may support anti-inflammatory effects, improve microcirculation, and reduce pain—offering non-opioid adjuncts for spinal degenerative conditions.

Itchy Dermatitis of Ageing

As skin thins with age, it becomes prone to irritant reactions, dryness, and low-level inflammation—presenting as persistent, itchy dermatitis. This may resemble eczema or xerosis, exacerbated by compromised barrier function and chronic inflammo-immune activity.

• Evidence: Multiple RCTs and meta‑analyses indicate that internally and externally applied TCM herbs are effective in reducing itching and dermatitis severityannallergy.org+5jintegrativederm.org+5frontiersin.org+5verywellhealth.comfrontiersin.org+1jintegrativederm.org+1.

• Formulas such as Xiao Feng San or Qing Re Chushi ointment have shown benefits in immune modulation, cytokine balancing, and improving skin barrier integrity.

Chronic Wounds and Sluggish Healing

Ageing skin and vascular compromise increase the risk of chronic wounds—such as venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. Inflammaging disrupts normal wound phases: excess inflammation prolongs tissue breakdown and prevents proper healing.

• A comprehensive pharmacological review identified 24 botanical TCM drugs—including Centellae Herba, Aloe vera, and multi-herbal formulations—that show anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and pro-angiogenicactivity in both preclinical and clinical wound modelsverywellhealth.compmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1frontiersin.org+1.

• These herbs support accelerated fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis, making them excellent adjuncts in wound management protocols.

Clinical Relevance for Healthcare Professionals:

By integrating TCM herbs into care plans for eample; spine degeneration, chronic itch, or non-healing wounds, we harness multifaceted anti-inflammatory, circulatory, and regenerative actions that align biologically with known ageing mechanisms. These are well-supported by both pharmacological and clinical data—offering credible, synergistic options in integrative medicine practice.

Inflammation and Ageing Part 1

Inspired by recurring conversations in my clinical practice.

Most people understand acute inflammation—like swelling after an injury—but fewer are aware of the subtle, chronic inflammation that can quietly affect the gut, brain, bladder, and other organs, often without obvious or often with non-specific symptoms like fatigue, bloating, or brain fog

Why We Feel Stiffer, Slower, and More Tired Over Time

As we get older, it’s common to notice subtle shifts in how our bodies feel—stiff joints in the morning, more aches after activity, drier skin, longer recovery times, and a gradual decline in energy. While these changes may seem like an inevitable part of ageing, a key factor behind many of them is a process known as inflammaging.

Inflammaging is the term used to describe the low-grade, chronic inflammation that builds in the body over time. It’s not the kind of inflammation you get from a sprained ankle or a sore throat—those are examples of acute inflammation, a short-term, beneficial response that helps the body heal. Inflammaging, by contrast, is silent and persistent. It acts like a low-level internal “fire” that doesn’t shut off, gradually affecting tissues, organs, and energy systems.

What Happens to the Immune System as We Age?

Think of your immune system as an orchestra. When we’re young, it plays in tune—responding quickly to infections, clearing out damaged cells, and resolving inflammation when its job is done. As we age, however, that orchestration becomes less precise.

• The immune system becomes less accurate, and sometimes begins to attack the body’s own tissues (a risk factor for autoimmune conditions).

• It grows less efficient, making us slower to recover from infections, injuries, or surgery.

• And most importantly, it becomes less able to switch off inflammation once it’s no longer needed.

This creates a background state of chronic low-level inflammation—not enough to cause fever or obvious symptoms, but enough to interfere with tissue repair, immune regulation, and overall vitality.

Inflammaging and the Ageing Patient

A Clinical Framework with Traditional Chinese Medicine Insights (part 1)

Making logical sense, for healthcare professionals, to understand where Traditional Chines Medicine meets Western Medicine.

In recent years, the concept of inflammaging—chronic, low-grade inflammation that increases with age—has gained traction in the biomedical literature as a key driver of functional decline. From musculoskeletal stiffness to cardiovascular inefficiency and fatigue, inflammaging presents a unifying explanation for many common ageing-related symptoms.

What’s notable is that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has addressed these patterns for centuries, albeit through a different lens. TCM has long focused on preserving vitality (jing), supporting organ harmony (maintaining systemic homeostasis), and delaying physiological ageing. Many of its interventions—particularly acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine—appear to modulate inflammatory pathways and offer practical tools for managing inflammaging in clinical settings.

1. Immune Dysregulation and Chronic Inflammation

In ageing, the immune system becomes both less responsive and more inflammatory—a phenomenon known as immunosenescence. There’s reduced T-cell diversity, impaired resolution of inflammation, and a baseline elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α.

TCM Perspective and Application:

• Chinese medicine conceptualises this as a decline in Kidney Jing and weakening of the Spleen and Lung qi, leading to internal damp-heat or deficiency-heat patterns.

• Chinese herbal medicine excels in addressing immune dysregulation. Classic formulas such as Yu Ping Feng San(Jade Windscreen) support barrier immunity, while others like Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan address heat from deficiency—a common pattern in postmenopausal inflammation.

• Acupuncture can modulate inflammatory mediators and rebalance autonomic tone, supporting immune regulation via the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis.

Wang, Yuli, Sun, Ningyang, Luo, Yingbin, Fang, Zhihong, Fang, Yuan, Tian, Jianhui, Yu, Yongchun, Wu, Jianchun, Li, Yan, Yu-Ping-Feng Formula Exerts Antilung Cancer Effects by Remodeling the Tumor Microenvironment through Regulating Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 6624461, 16 pages, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6624461

Li N, Guo Y, Gong Y, Zhang Y, Fan W, Yao K, Chen Z, Dou B, Lin X, Chen B, Chen Z, Xu Z, Lyu Z. The Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Mechanisms of Acupuncture from Acupoint to Target Organs via Neuro-Immune Regulation. J Inflamm Res. 2021 Dec 21;14:7191-7224. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S341581. PMID: 34992414; PMCID: PMC8710088.

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