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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine >

2026 , Vol. 46 >Issue 3: 745 - 756

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.03.015

Review

Traditional Chinese Medicine for the prevention and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: scientific understanding and a multimodal therapeutic approach

  • LIN Kaifeng ,
  • ZENG Zhongliao ,
  • SUN Yan ,
  • SUN Fangzhou ,
  • ZHANG Han ,
  • SUN Jing ,
  • JIANG Ling ,
  • Jeffrey D. Deng ,
  • LI Min ,
  • LIANG Bocheng
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  • 1 The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310009, China
    2 Department of orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310005, China
    3 Department of general practice, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310005, China
    4 Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
LIANG Bocheng, Department of orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310005, China, bocheng@zcmu.edu.cn, Telephone: +86-13186913888;
LI Min, Department of general practice, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310005, China, liminist@163.com, Telephone: +86-17767167657

Received date: 2025-03-25

  Accepted date: 2025-09-24

  Online published: 2026-06-08

Supported by

2020 Zhejiang Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Xinmiao Program(Project Number: Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration [2021] No. 1);2021 Zhejiang Provincial High-Level Health Talents Training Program – Medical Rising Star Program(Project Number: Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission Office [2021] No. 40);Project was Funded by the China Scholarship Council; and the 2021 Backbone Talent Training Program for the Internationalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine(Project Number: National Traditional Chinese Medicine Certification [2021] No. 48)

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Abstract

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a common spinal disorder characterized by deviations in the coronal, sagittal, and axial planes. As AIS progresses with age, it compromises biomechanical function and increasingly impacts pulmonary function and psychological well-being. Bracing and Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (PSSE) are commonly used conservative treatments for AIS. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been gaining increasing attention in conservative AIS management. This study examines the effectiveness of TCM and its integrative therapies in AIS treatment, with particular emphasis on the foundational TCM concept of “preventive treatment of disease”. A three-level prevention strategy is proposed, highlighting the importance of early detection, timely treatment, and proactive intervention. This framework aims to promote a scientific understanding of TCM approaches and their synergistic use with other therapies in AIS management, offering new perspectives and potential directions for future.

Key words： adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; combined modality therapy; medicine, Chinese traditional; three-level prevention; review

Cite this article

LIN Kaifeng , ZENG Zhongliao , SUN Yan , SUN Fangzhou , ZHANG Han , SUN Jing , JIANG Ling , Jeffrey D. Deng , LI Min , LIANG Bocheng . Traditional Chinese Medicine for the prevention and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: scientific understanding and a multimodal therapeutic approach[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026 , 46(3) : 745 -756 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.03.015

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