Q My symptoms have improved significantly. How long should I continue treatment? Is there a criterion for ending it?
A When symptoms improve by more than 90% and nocturnal pain disappears, it is the maintenance and finalization stage. During this period, to prevent recurrence, follow-up treatments are performed 1 to 2 times at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks, and the treatment transitions to self-exercise management.
Detailed Answer
The criteria for terminating treatment are meeting all of the following: ① Disappearance of nocturnal pain, ② No pain during daily gripping or work, ③ Negative Phalen test, and ④ Normalization of sensation (restoration of two-point discrimination ability). In the intermediate stage, where symptoms have improved by 75–90%, ligament strengthening is completed using thread embedding or bee venom acupuncture. Even after treatment is concluded, a check-up once every 3 months is recommended for those in repetitive occupations.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
The determination of treatment termination is based not only on the disappearance of symptoms but also on whether Qi and blood circulation and organ functions are in a state where they can be maintained independently. Once the pulse becomes strong and the tongue coating normalizes, the internal herbal medicine is gradually reduced, and the patient transitions to self-management. At Dongjedang, we provide written lifestyle guidelines for preventing recurrence (night watch, exercise routine, and diet) after the completion of treatment, establishing a foundation for self-management.
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