Musculoskeletal Pain Many people endure musculoskeletal pain caused by various factors such as lifestyle habits, trauma, stress, and aging by using commonly available pain relievers and pain patches. However, methods that are not fundamental treatments for pain and are only temporary measures may allow the condition to gradually worsen and progress to chronic pain, disc problems, and other issues.
At the pain clinic of Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic, we treat the painful areas reported by patients and also check body balance and overall physical condition to manage musculoskeletal pain by helping prevent pain and recurrence. Managing longstanding pain and chronic pain requires systematic care by an experienced medical team and a specialized Korean medicine treatment program.
Spinal disorders that occur when the body’s center is disrupted (1) Cervical disc / lumbar disc – A disc problem (intervertebral disc herniation) refers to symptoms caused when a disc between the vertebrae protrudes, or abnormally grown bone tissue presses on nearby nerves, leading to radiating pain and, in severe cases, sensory or motor impairment. In the past, it mainly occurred in people in their 40s and 50s, but with excessive use of computers and smart devices, the number of disc patients in their 20s and 30s has increased rapidly.
(2) Spinal stenosis – Spinal stenosis is a condition in which degeneration of the spine progresses, causing ligaments to thicken and swell and narrowing the nerve passage. As a result, pain with numbness and pulling sensations in the legs occurs, and normal walking becomes difficult.
Korean Medicine Treatment For Spinal Disorders At Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic
Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic carefully reviews and diagnoses the causes of spinal pain, examines the patient’s health condition, and provides care according to the characteristics of the related functional structures.
Shoulder joint disorders Shoulder joint disorders that make it hard to lift the arm and cause pain that interferes with sleep (1) Frozen shoulder – Frozen shoulder is a common shoulder joint disorder in which the joint capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens, causing inflammation and pain. It is also called “frozen shoulder” because the shoulder stiffens as if it has frozen. Joint movement becomes limited, and pain repeatedly improves and worsens.
(2) Rotator cuff tear / inflammation – The rotator cuff consists of 4 muscles that surround the shoulder joint and allow the arm to be lifted or rotated. Inflammation may occur due to degenerative changes from aging or overuse, and tears may occur due to external impact. Pain is worse at night than during the day, and pain when moving the shoulder or arm makes it difficult to use the arm.
(3) Calcific tendinitis – This is a condition in which calcium builds up and calcification is deposited when a shoulder tendon is torn or damaged, or due to degenerative changes or overuse of the shoulder. It becomes difficult to lift the arm, and shoulder pain worsens at night to the point that it may be hard to fall asleep.
Korean Medicine Treatment For The Shoulder Joint At Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic
Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic provides treatment with the goal of calming inflammation in the shoulder muscles and tendons, supporting recovery, and increasing range of motion.
Knee joint disorders that are vulnerable to chronic pain (1) Degenerative arthritis – Degenerative arthritis is a condition in which bones, muscles, and ligaments degenerate due to aging and no longer function properly, with pain occurring due to inflammation. It most often occurs in older adults, but it can also occur due to joint and cartilage pressure from obesity, insufficient nutrient supply to muscles and bones, or frequent repetitive use of the joints. Pain is felt in the knee joint even with simple movements, and symptoms such as stiffness, aching, and soreness may occur.
(2) Meniscus / knee ligament injury – A meniscus injury refers to a tear in the knee cartilage caused by overuse of the knee joint or external impact. Severe pain occurs in the acute stage, and fluid buildup and swelling in the knee, knee instability, or locking may appear. Over time, the muscles may also atrophy, making the leg thinner. Knee ligaments can be torn or ruptured due to excessive knee use, strenuous exercise, or strong external impact. When a ligament is injured, tenderness or swelling commonly appears.
Korean Medicine Treatment For The Knee Joint At Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic
At Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic, for degenerative arthritis, we warm the area around the knee to support blood circulation and relieve knee pain, swelling, and discomfort. For knee cartilage or ligament injuries, we promote blood circulation, reduce pain, and support rehabilitation.
Elbow disorders Frequently used and frequently painful elbow, wrist, and finger joint disorders (1) Tennis elbow, golf elbow – These are among the most common conditions affecting the elbow joint. As the names suggest, tennis elbow refers to pain on the outer side of the elbow like when playing tennis, and golf elbow refers to pain on the inner side of the elbow like when playing golf. They can occur due to excessive arm use, strenuous exercise, housework, or external impact.
(2) Trigger finger – Trigger finger is a condition caused by inflammation in the finger tendon, with pain and a snapping sound when bending or straightening the finger. It commonly occurs from repetitive overuse and causes limited movement when bending or straightening the finger.
(3) Wrist tenosynovitis – Wrist tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath surrounding multiple tendons in the wrist and is also called De Quervain syndrome. Friction occurs between the tendon and sheath, causing the tendon to swell and become inflamed.
Korean Medicine Treatment For The Elbow Joint / Wrist Joint At Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic
Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic calms inflammation, relieves pain, and reduces tension in the surrounding tendons and muscles to decrease accompanying symptoms such as numbness and swelling.
Frequent foot and ankle joint disorders, from acute sprains to chronic recurrences (1) Ankle sprain – Commonly described as “twisting the ankle,” this condition occurs when muscles or ligaments are stretched or torn, and can cause immediate pain and swelling, and in severe cases, bruising.
(2) Plantar fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which repeated microscopic damage to the plantar fascia causes inflammation. It commonly occurs due to lifestyle habits that place stress on the sole of the foot. It may appear in people who stand for long periods for work, wear high shoes or uncomfortable shoes for long periods, walk for a long time, have congenital flat feet, or have gained weight.
Korean Medicine Treatment For The Ankle Joint And Foot At Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic
Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic provides treatment to reduce inflammation in the ligaments, muscles, and fascia of the ankle and sole, and to calm swelling.
Temporomandibular joint disorders that can affect not only pain but also confidence This refers to conditions in which it is difficult to open the mouth, a clicking sound occurs in the temporomandibular joint whenever the mouth is opened, and pain occurs in the face as well as around the jaw, including the muscles, joints, and ligaments that make up the temporomandibular joint. Because facial asymmetry may be accompanied or the condition may become chronic, early treatment and lifestyle management are very important. Factors that can contribute to temporomandibular joint disorder include malocclusion, psychological stress that causes tension, habits that strain the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles, and poor posture that can lead to forward head posture or scoliosis.
Korean Medicine Treatment For Temporomandibular Joint Disorders At Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic
Temporomandibular joint treatment should not only reduce pain; it should also correct the jaw muscles and the surrounding spine together to address the underlying causes of temporomandibular joint disorder.