Korean Medicine Treatment for Managing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Case Report

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.

Complex Acupuncture Treatment for Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Case Report of Two Patients

“…Pharmacopuncture is used to induce the chemical effects of herbal medicines through mechanical procedure of acupuncture. This is achieved by injecting herbal extracts into the acupuncture points [9]. In this study, sulfur pharmacopuncture was used for anti-inflammatory action.…”