Journal of Acupuncture Research

Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society (대한침구의학회)
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Korean Medicine Treatment for Managing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Case Report

  • Park, Ji-won (Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine) ;
  • Jeong, Myung-In (Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine) ;
  • Jeong, Wu-Jin (Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine) ;
  • Hong, Hae-Won (Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine) ;
  • Koo, Ji-eun (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Korean Medicine, Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Sung-won (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Korean Medicine, Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine) ;
  • Kyung, Da-hyun (Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology of Korean Medicine, Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine)
  • Received : 2022.05.17
  • Accepted : 2022.07.26
  • Published : 2022.08.31
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Abstract

A 53-year-old male who had received surgery on his right ankle joint 10 years previously was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome the following year. Despite various treatments (sympathetic nerve-block medication, pain relievers, corticosteroids, nerve blocks, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) over the years there was no improvement in his symptoms. Recently the patient was admitted to a Korean medicine hospital where he received treatment (acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal treatment) and his symptoms gradually showed improvement. The patient was concurrently on psychiatric medicine, antihistamine medication, and opioids for pain (when necessary). A decrease in numeric rating scale, Oswestry disability index scores, and an increase in the Korean version of the 5-level EuroQol-5 dimension score showed symptom improvement within 36 days. This study suggests complex Korean medicine treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome may result in a reduction in pain and improved quality of life.

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References

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