Sarcopenia refers to a state beyond the natural, age-related decline in muscle mass — one in which muscle strength and function decline sharply enough to interfere with daily life.

▪️ Aging and Hormonal Changes: Declines in growth hormone, sex hormones, and DHEA, along with a reduced ability to synthesize muscle protein.
▪️ Lack of Physical Activity: Insufficient exercise and prolonged bed rest.
▪️ Nutritional Imbalance: Insufficient protein and vitamin D intake, and reduced digestive absorption.
▪️ Chronic Inflammation and Disease: Accelerated muscle breakdown from chronic conditions such as diabetes, chronic inflammation, and arthritis.

In Korean medicine, sarcopenia is approached through the concepts of Wei-syndrome (痿證), Stomach pattern (胃證), or the principle that “the Spleen governs the flesh” (脾主肉). According to Korean medicine theory, the Spleen governs the muscles (肉), the Liver governs the tendons (筋腱), and the Kidney governs the bone marrow and vital energy.

Hamsoa Family Clinic Sarcopenia Program