Volume 2,Issue 1
Theoretical Exploration of TCM Herbal Foot Bath as an Adjunctive Treatment for Short Stature in Children
This paper systematically explores the application potential and theoretical basis of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) foot bath in the adjuvant treatment of short stature in children. Currently, the primary treatment for short stature is recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), but it faces challenges such as high costs, variable responses, and safety concerns. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and holistic regulation. Against this backdrop, the TCM foot bath, as a safe and convenient external TCM therapy, demonstrates unique advantages. The theoretical foundation of the TCM foot bath is rooted in the holistic concept and meridian theory of TCM, with its mechanisms of action including thermal stimulation, percutaneous absorption of medicinal components, and regulation through the neuro-endocrine-immune network, producing analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. These mechanisms are highly compatible with the pathogenesis of short stature. Despite the advantages of the TCM foot bath, such as simplicity, convenience, effectiveness, affordability, and good compliance among children, there is still a lack of high-quality clinical research evidence, and the safety and standardized protocols for pediatric use remain to be improved. Future research needs rigorous randomized controlled trials to deepen mechanism exploration and standardize clinical practice.
[1] Liu Q, Zhang WC, Chen B, 2025, The Efficacy and Influencing Factors of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in the Treatment of Children with Short Stature. Xinjiang Medical Journal, 55(1): 37–40.
[2] Wang QH, 2023, Research and Analysis on the Etiology and Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Short Stature in Children. Guide of China Medicine, 21(26): 49–52.
[3] Yu Y, Pan ZZ, 2024, Treating Short Stature in Children Based on the Theory of Reinforcing Deficiency and Purging Excess in the Five Viscera. Guangming Journal of Chinese Medicine, 39(23): 4723–4727.
[4] Xiao Y, Sun LP, 2021, Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Idiopathic Short Stature. Modern Distance Education of Chinese Medicine, 19(13): 204–206.
[5] Wang XZ, 2023, Exploring the Prescription Patterns and Network Pharmacology of Chinese Herbal Footbath for the Treatment of Diabetic Lower Extremity Arterial Disease Based on Data Mining, thesis, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.
[6] Yao HL, Han HH, Li Y, et al., 2026, Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Footbath Combined with Auricular Acupuncture on Blood Glucose and Sleep Quality in Patients with T2DM Complicated by Sleep Disorders. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, preprint, 1–9.
[7] Chen CJ, Pang XM, Pan HS, et al., 2016, Observation on the Effect of Acupoint Massage Combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine Footbath in Eliminating Exercise Fatigue. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 31(6): 2412–2414.
[8] Wang XQ, Duan PB, Zhang XQ, et al., 2018, Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine Footbath Prescription for Invigorating Spleen and Soothing Liver in Rapid Rehabilitation of Patients After Gastrointestinal Tumor Surgery. Journal of Nursing Science, 33(6): 49–51.
[9] Chen WW, Liu HX, Liu J, et al., 2019, Etiological Analysis and Genetic Diagnosis of Short Stature in Children. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 21(4): 381–386.
[10] Zhang QL, 2023, Clinical Observation and Mechanism Exploration of Shenhu Zhuzhang Decoction in the Treatment of Idiopathic Short Stature with Splee Deficiency and Liver Exuberance, thesis, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine.
[11] Ren Y, Chen J, Tan ZT, et al., 2016, Comparison of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in the Treatment of Idiopathic Short Stature and Growth Hormone Deficiency. Guangdong Medical Journal, 37(19): 2961–2963.
[12] Yu Y, Pan ZZ, 2024, Treatment of Children’s Short Stature Based on the Theory of Reinforcing Deficiency and Purging Excess of the Five Internal Organs. Guangming Journal of Chinese Medicine, 39(23): 4723–4727.
[13] Zhang XH, 2025, Clinical Study on the Treatment of Pediatric Pneumonia of Wind-Heat Obstructing the Lung Type with Yinqiao San Combined with Maxing Shigan Decoction (Modified) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Foot Bath. Chinese Health Preservation, 43(7): 20–23.
[14] Wang YT, 2024, Clinical Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of Modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction Combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine Foot Bath in Treating Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy with Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome, thesis, Hubei University for Nationalities.
[15] Jiang LG, Wang LY, Meng XF, et al., 2025, Clinical Study on the Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy with Tongbi Ningshen Decoction Foot Bath Combined with Meditation or Listening to the Qingxin Jue. Hebei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 47(9): 1439–1442 + 1449.
[16] Wang ZY, Du MB, Gu LW, et al., 2024, Research Progress on Targeted Nano-preparations for Skin Delivery of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs, 55(21): 7557–7566.
[17] Guo JB, Chen QY, Qi XX, 2024, Traditional Chinese Medicine Foot Soaking and Nursing: Easy Health Preservation Starting from the Feet. Medicine and Health Preservation Newspaper.
[18] Si JY, 2018, Clinical Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Soaking (Foot Bath) in Treating Pediatric Cold, thesis, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.
[19] Xiao HM, Qian YL, Ai ZY, 2025, Clinical Study on the Treatment of 60 Cases of Early Diabetic Lower Extremity Arteriosclerosis Obliterans with Traditional Chinese Medicine Foot Bath Combined with Alprostadil Injection. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 32(1): 104–106.
[20] Jin X, Chen QG, Hou RF, et al., 2024, Mechanism and Research Progress of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma in Strengthening the Spleen and Drying Dampness. Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 58(10): 95–101.
[21] Zhong YT, Liu SQ, Huang XL, et al., 2025, Research Progress on the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Poria Skin, Poria, and Fu Shen Based on Metabolomics. Journal of Yunnan Minzu University (Natural Sciences Edition), 34(6): 666–675.
[22] Ji RR, Woolf CJ, 2001, Neuronal Plasticity and Signal Transduction in Nociceptive Neurons: Implications for the Initiation and Maintenance of Pathological Pain. Neurobiology of Disease, 8(1): 1–10.
[23] Herman JP, Figueiredo H, Mueller NK, et al., 2003, Central Mechanisms of Stress Integration: Hierarchical Circuitry Controlling Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenocortical Responsiveness. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 24(3): 151–180.
[24] Huo Y, Chen P, Zhu JN, et al., 2023, Therapeutic Effect of Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture on Postpartum Abdominal Pain and Its Influence on Serum β-Endorphin Levels in Puerperae. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 43(11): 1257–1260.
[25] Wang H, Yu M, Ochani M, et al., 2003, The Alpha7 Subunit of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Is an Essential Regulator of Inflammation. Nature, 421(6921): 384–388.
[26] Liu JP, Zeng WW, Zhu XZ, 2025, Preliminary Exploration of the Effect of Auricular Point Sticking Combined with Foot Bath on Postoperative Recovery, Analgesia, and Anti-Anxiety Mechanisms in Patients with Adenomyosis. Journal of North Sichuan Medical College, 40(01): 21–24 + 36.
[27] Hong B, Chen LJ, Yin XC, et al., 2015, Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Foot Bath Combined with Alprostadil Injection on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Its Influence on Serum Adiponectin, IL-6, and TNF-α Levels. Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 33(12): 2891–2894.
[28] Qin L, 2024, Clinical Efficacy Observation and Safety Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Invigorating the Spleen and Tonifying the Kidney Combined with Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in the Treatment of 30 Cases of Idiopathic Short Stature (Syndrome of Deficiency of Both Spleen and Kidney), thesis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
[29] Wu SM, Zhang HX, Zhang X, et al., 2018, Study on the Medication Pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicine Foot Bath in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 33(1): 73–76.
[30] Hu KX, Fang ZH, Zhu JR, et al., 2025, Clinical Observation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Foot Bath Combined with Danzhi Jiangtang Capsules in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of Qi-Yin Deficiency with Blood Stasis Type and Its Influence on Inflammatory Balance Status. Journal of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, 44(6): 17–22.