Current Status and Strategies of Thread Embedding Acupuncture on Face: A Survey of Korean Medicine Doctors

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to report current status and strategies of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) on face through survey of Korean medicine doctors. Methods The survey was conducted online via e-mail to certified Korean medicine doctors. The questionnaire is developed by Korean medicine doctors in Kyung-Hee Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong. The survey mainly consisted with multiple-choice questions on the current status, cost, and adverse reactions.Results TEA was predominantly utilized for cosmetic purposes, and the billing cost was commonly determined based on the number of threads used. The reported incidence of adverse reactions during TEA was 69.9%. The most frequent self-resolving adverse reaction was bruising, while the most common adverse reaction requiring medical intervention or resulting in sequelae was the 'dimple phenomenon'. According to the questionnaire, the primary factor associated with adverse reactions was the treatment area. Conclusions This study provided insights into the practical use of TEA on face in Korean medical clinic.