When is acupuncture therapy considered?

Acupuncture treatment does not involve applying the same acupoints and stimulation for all types of pain. After confirming the onset and location of pain, restricted movement, neurological symptoms, and prescribed medications, we select the appropriate area and stimulation intensity based on the patient's condition.

If fracture, infection, or progressive neurological abnormalities are suspected, we recommend necessary examinations and consultations.

We examine the movements that cause pain, joint motion, muscle tension, and tender points. If there is numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, we examine muscle strength, sensation, reflexes, and gait together.

Tell your healthcare provider if you take anticoagulants, have a bleeding disorder or skin infection, may be pregnant, or have had an adverse reaction after acupuncture in the past.

Acupuncture therapy may be considered to manage pain according to the patient's condition, regulate excessively tense muscles, and create a state conducive to initiating movement and exercise.

The fact that acupuncture was administered does not mean that joint and muscle function have fully recovered; therefore, actual movement and daily activities are re-evaluated after treatment.

Temporary tightness, small bruises, and minor bleeding may occur at the procedure site. Rarely, dizziness and cold sweats may occur; therefore, fasting status and current condition must be reported.

If severe pain, breathing difficulty, or swelling and warmth suggestive of infection occur, you must immediately inform the treatment facility and undergo evaluation.

Depending on the patient’s condition, Chuna manual therapy may be combined when joint movement is restricted, pharmacopuncture when additional local treatment is needed, and exercise and lifestyle management when functional recovery is needed.

The goal is not to perform all treatments at once; we select the necessary methods based on the patient's response before and after treatment.

We assess not only pain scores but also changes in target movements such as lifting the arm, bending at the waist, walking, and sleeping. If there is no change over a certain period or if neurological symptoms worsen, you should re-evaluate and revise the treatment plan rather than repeating the same acupuncture treatment.

We examine the location of pain before treatment, when it started, changes with movement, and overall systemic condition. Examine the skin condition of the area to be treated, and apply stimulation to the selected acupoints and muscle areas using a disposable sterilized needle. Depending on the need, electro-acupuncture (connecting electrical stimulation) may be considered.

If you experience pain, dizziness, cold sweats, or discomfort during treatment, inform the medical staff immediately.

Tell your healthcare provider about anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication, bleeding disorders, possible pregnancy, pacemakers or implanted medical devices, reduced immunity, skin infections, and any previous fainting after acupuncture. When electroacupuncture is used, medical devices and heart condition are checked separately.

Dizziness may occur when fasting or in a state of severe fatigue; therefore, it is advisable to consult with the medical staff regarding your condition before the consultation.

Mild soreness at the procedure site, small bruises, and temporary bleeding may occur. Most reactions can be monitored, but contact your healthcare provider promptly if pain and swelling rapidly worsen with local warmth or high fever, or if breathing difficulty or a generalized hypersensitivity reaction occurs.

Even if pain decreases immediately after treatment, separately confirm whether muscle strength and joint movement have recovered, and do not suddenly increase activity levels.

We verify not only the pain score but also whether neck rotation, arm lifting, sitting down and standing up, walking, and sleep have actually improved. We do not determine long-term effects based on just one or two responses; if there is no change over a certain period, we re-evaluate the combination of diagnosis and treatment.

Acupuncture treatment is not always performed together with Chuna manual therapy, pharmacopuncture (pharmacopuncture), and exercise; it is selected according to the patient's condition and goals.

Acupuncture treatment is not automatically repeated for a fixed number of sessions. We check whether pain, movement, sleep, and daily functions have changed; if there is no change or if new neurological symptoms, severe swelling, or a sensation of heat develop, we review the diagnosis and treatment plan.

For major trauma or a possible fracture, rapidly progressing weakness, high fever and suspected infection, or sudden neurological symptoms, prompt examination and emergency evaluation are recommended. Even if the condition is judged to be a typical musculoskeletal pain, if symptoms worsen unexpectedly during treatment, we will not repeat the same stimulus and will re-evaluate.

The procedure site may temporarily feel tight, and small bruises or minor bleeding may occur. In most cases, the course of the condition can be observed; however, if pain and swelling continue to worsen, or if the skin becomes red and hot, or if fever, difficulty breathing, or generalized hives appear, you must inform the medical staff immediately. On the day of treatment, do not repeatedly touch the treated area with unclean hands.

The efficacy of acupuncture treatment is not judged solely by the immediate sense of relief experienced right after the procedure. Check whether the movements causing pain, sleep, walking, and work function change over a certain period; if there is no change, re-evaluate the site, stimulation, diagnosis, and alternative treatment options.

Before the procedure, you must inform us about your current medications, tendency to bleed, skin infections, possibility of pregnancy, and history of fainting. The number of needles and intensity of stimulation do not guarantee effectiveness. After treatment, we check for changes in movements that reproduce pain and in sleep, walking and work function, and adjust the next plan accordingly.