Costochondritis

The main causes of costochondritis recurrence are: ① cases where only the pain disappears but tension and adhesions in the soft tissues surrounding the cartilage remain; ② cases where habitual postural imbalances are not corrected; and ③ cases where a state of immune vulnerability persists. Since treatment with simple anti-inflammatory drugs suppresses symptoms but does not resolve structural tissue issues, there are reports indicating a recurrence rate of 30–50%. To prevent recurrence, posture correction, thoracic relaxation exercises, and immune and inflammation management must be continued even after pain subsides. Recurrent costochondritis often has a constitutional background characterized by recurring poor circulation of liver energy and weakness of digestive energy. Even if adhesions are released with needle acupuncture and inflammation is controlled with pharmacopuncture, the condition will recur unless the underlying constitution, which causes energy and blood to easily stagnate, is corrected. At Dongjedang, our goal before the conclusion of treatment is to establish a defense system against recurrence by restoring liver energy circulation and digestive function using herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution.