When should pharmacopuncture treatment be considered?

In pharmacopuncture, a Korean medicine doctor examines the patient’s symptoms and condition, then selects a solution made with purified ingredients such as those derived from medicinal herbs and injects a small amount into an acupuncture point or related area. The ingredients used, their concentrations, and the treatment areas may vary depending on the therapeutic purpose and the product.

It cannot be categorically described as a substitute for steroid injections, nor can it be said to have no side effects.

We check for drug and food allergies, past adverse reactions to pharmacopuncture or injections, possible pregnancy, bleeding risk, anticoagulant use, reduced immunity and skin infections.

You must inform the medical staff about any medications you are currently taking, recent injections received, and conditions such as diabetes or systemic diseases.

After examination, this may be selected to manage pain and inflammatory responses, as well as discomfort in local muscles and tendons. Even with the same diagnosis name, not all patients require pharmacopuncture.

Restricted joint movement, nerve symptoms and daily function are considered together to decide whether to use pharmacopuncture alone or in combination with acupuncture, Chuna manual therapy and exercise.

Temporary pain and stiffness, bruising, minor bleeding, and swelling may occur at the procedure site. Rarely, hypersensitivity reactions may occur; therefore, if you experience generalized hives, difficulty breathing, or severe dizziness, inform the medical staff immediately.

If the treated area becomes increasingly red and hot, or if high fever develops, infection must be checked.

Even if pain is reduced with pharmacopuncture, joint movement, muscle strength, and repetitive work motions may remain unchanged. If movement is restricted, Chuna manual therapy is considered; if functional recovery is needed, exercise and lifestyle management are considered together.

After treatment, we compare not only pain but also actual functions such as walking, lifting the arm, and sitting down and standing up.

A fixed number of sessions is not applied to every patient. If there is no change or the symptoms worsen even after treatment for a certain period, it is better to re-evaluate the diagnosis and treatment plan rather than repeating pharmacopuncture.

Pharmacopuncture is a treatment in which a Korean medicine doctor injects pharmacopuncture solution into acupoints or areas related to pain, based on the patient’s symptoms and examination findings. Ingredients, doses and purposes vary by type, so it is important to ask which pharmacopuncture will be used and why.

Pharmacopuncture is not described as the same treatment as steroid injections or nerve blocks, and it is not assumed to always replace other injections.

You must inform us whether you have had hypersensitivity reactions to medications, foods, or bee venom components; also disclose any history of asthma, immune disorders, potential pregnancy, use of anticoagulants, and bleeding tendencies. If there is skin infection or severe inflammation at the procedure site, treatment may be delayed or alternative methods considered.

The procedure must be performed under hygienic conditions, with appropriate disinfection and the use of disposable instruments.

Temporary pain and stiffness, bruising, and mild swelling may occur at the injection site. If symptoms worsen rapidly, swelling spreads widely, or hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and systemic reactions occur, you must inform the medical staff immediately.

On the day of treatment, follow the precautions provided: do not vigorously rub the treated area or engage in strenuous exercise.

A fixed number of sessions is not applied to every patient. We check whether pain, movement and daily function are actually improving. If there is no change or side effects recur, we review the treatment plan rather than continuing the same pharmacopuncture.

Whether Chuna manual therapy and acupuncture treatment are used together with exercise is selected based on the current condition and treatment goals.

You can check the name and ingredients of the pharmacopuncture used, the purpose of the procedure and expected temporary reactions, and how to contact us if hypersensitivity reactions occur. It is important to disclose past allergies and medications taken to ensure safe treatment.

We select it when necessary by examining local pain and inflammatory response, skin and systemic condition, and response to other treatments. The injection site and dosage may vary from patient to patient, and treatment efficacy should not be judged solely based on pain reduction. We also check whether joint movement, muscle strength, walking and daily function actually change.

Temporary soreness, tenderness, and minor bruising or swelling may occur at the procedure site. If pain and swelling increase rapidly, the skin becomes red and hot, or if high fever, difficulty breathing, or a full-body rash occurs, do not wait; contact medical staff immediately. On the day of treatment, it is safer to avoid excessive alcohol, vigorous massage of the treated area, and saunas.

pharmacopuncture cannot be described as a treatment that simply replaces steroid injections or as a treatment with no side effects at all. You must evaluate the ingredients and purpose of use, confirm the patient's allergies and health status, and jointly assess changes in pain and movement before and after treatment, as well as changes in daily function.

When deciding on pharmacopuncture treatment, check the ingredients used and purpose, as well as past allergies and medications taken. pharmacopuncture does not unconditionally replace steroid injections or constitute a treatment with absolutely no side effects; after the procedure, local reactions and systemic hypersensitivity reactions must be distinguished, and if there is no functional change, the same treatment is not repeated.

Whether to repeat the procedure is not determined by a fixed number of times, but based on changes in pain, movement, daily function, and abnormal reactions. If there is no effect or if local swelling and hypersensitivity reactions recur, the type and dosage of pharmacopuncture and other treatment options should be re-evaluated.