Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip, a condition causing significant joint pain, is extensively treated in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Within TCM, OA falls under the category of bi syndromes. Unlike generic supplements like fish oil or glucosamine, Chinese patent herbal medicines offer a more "surgical precision" in treatment by addressing the specific underlying bi syndrome patterns, such as wind-cold damp bi, blood stagnation bi, or heat bi. Diagnosing these patterns involves a detailed examination, including observing tongue and pulse, and understanding how the pain is influenced by seasons, temperature, sleep, and other factors.

Specific herbal formulas target different patterns. For severe, fixed pain with numbness often seen in hip OA, Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is crucial, invigorating blood and breaking stasis. For seniors with hip OA, especially those with underlying kidney/liver yin deficiency and blood stasis, Zhong Guo Tong Xue Wan / Zhong Guo Shen Jing Tong can offer quick pain relief and stimulate joint tissue healing. For pain with red, warm, swollen joints (Heat Bi), Si Miao Wan is highly effective, particularly for pain below the waist and discomfort worsened by heat or humidity. By precisely addressing these patterns, herbal therapy can provide significant relief and support joint health.