How can I use the BONEDOCTOR pain guide?

It is natural not to know the exact disease name when pain occurs.

Not all lower back pain is due to a disc herniation, and not all numbness in the hand is caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. The BONEDOCTOR pain guide does not let you choose a disease name on your own; instead, it starts from the area and symptoms that are most uncomfortable at present.

Select the area that is most uncomfortable at present.

• Neck
• Back
• Lower back
• Shoulder
• elbow
• Wrist and hand
• Pelvis and hip joint
• Knee
• Ankle and foot
• Temporomandibular joint
• Head and headache

If multiple areas are painful at the same time, examine the area with the most severe pain, the area where symptoms suddenly began, or the area that most interferes with daily life.

No need to know medical terms.

If your back is uncomfortable, you can choose an expression that closely matches your symptoms as follows.

• My lower back itself hurts.
• I have difficulty straightening my back.
• Pain travels down into my buttock or leg.
• My legs feel numb or have reduced sensation.
• If I walk for a long time, my legs hurt.
• I developed pain after twisting my lower back.

On the symptoms page, you can check when the condition started, which movements exacerbate it, and what accompanying symptoms indicate that an examination should be expedited.

There are cases where an evaluation of the medical institution is needed before general pain information.

• If the strength in your arm or leg suddenly drops
• If bowel and bladder control has changed
• If sensation in the perineum becomes dull
• In cases where severe pain occurs after a major trauma
• If accompanied by high fever and chills
• If chest pain and shortness of breath occur together
• If you suddenly experience severe headache and changes in speech or vision

If you suspect any warning signs, you should receive a prompt medical evaluation before considering whether to undergo Chuna manual therapy.

For many common musculoskeletal pain complaints, a medical history and physical and neurological examinations can help assess the current condition and guide initial treatment.

The BONEDOCTOR guide explains the following content.

• The occasion when the pain began
• Location where pain spreads
• Positions and movements that worsen pain
• Range of motion of the joint
• Muscle tension and strength
• Muscle strength, sensation, and reflexes of the arms and legs
• Walking and daily movements
• Changes observed after previous treatment

This evaluation is not simply a test of pressing on the painful area. This is a process of examining which movements are currently restricted and whether applying Chuna manual therapy or exercise is safe.

One symptom may be related to multiple causes.

For example, leg numbness may occur due to lumbar nerve irritation, spinal stenosis, peripheral nerve compression, diabetic neuropathy, and circulatory problems.

The conditions displayed on the page are not a list of diagnoses applicable to the patient. To determine the actual condition, both medical history and physical examination must be reviewed together.

X-rays or MRIs are useful for assessing structure, but they are not the first necessary tests for all pain.

In the following cases, imaging studies may be considered.

• Trauma with suspected fracture
• Progressive muscle weakness
• Changes in urination and defecation, and sensation in the perineal region
• Symptoms suspected to be caused by infection or tumor
• If structural confirmation is required to determine the treatment direction
• If symptoms and functional impairment persist despite appropriate treatment

Imaging results do not always match the actual pain. It is necessary to evaluate not only the image but also current movement and function.

BONEDOCTOR does not present Chuna manual therapy as the only correct answer.

Depending on the patient's condition, the following treatments may be considered.

• Activity and posture adjustment
• Exercise and Rehabilitation
• Chuna manual therapy
• Acupuncture therapy
• pharmacopuncture treatment
• physical therapy
• Pharmacotherapy
• Injection therapy
• Collaboration with other medical institutions
• Surgical evaluation

What is important is not the name of a specific treatment, but whether the treatment is appropriate for the current condition and whether pain and function actually change after treatment.

Chuna manual therapy may be considered after examination in the following cases.

• When pain and restricted movement occur together
• Cases where the functions of joints and muscles must be evaluated together
• If there is recurring pain during a specific movement
• Cases where recovery of movement and daily function is needed after treatment
• Cases where acupuncture and pharmacopuncture need to be planned together with exercise.

Conversely, if fracture or infection is suspected, or if nerve function deteriorates rapidly, appropriate examinations and collaboration are required first.

Pain relievers and NSAIDs, as well as steroid injections, may help reduce pain.

However, even after the pain subsides, the following problems may remain.

• The lower back still does not extend properly.
• The range of motion for turning the neck is limited.
• Difficulty raising the arm
• Difficulty walking for long periods or using stairs
• Pain recurs in the same posture.

If symptoms recur, it is recommended to re-evaluate joint movement and muscle function along with pain suppression and daily activities.

If you need a consultation, you can find a nearby BONEDOCTOR member Korean medicine clinic based on your region or subway station.

Please check the following content on the branch page.

• Actual name and address of the Korean medicine clinic
• Clinic Hours
• Medical staff
• Chuna manual therapy treatment status
• Provided acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and exercise therapy
• How to call and make an appointment
• Traffic and Parking