Forward Head Posture

In cases of straight neck syndrome that have persisted for years, repeated micro-injuries and healing occur within the fascia and ligaments, leading to adhesion (tissue sticking together and hardening) and fibrosis. At this stage, the relaxation effect of regular acupuncture often does not last more than a few days. *Dochim* (needle blade) is a treatment that uses a fine blade-like tip of about 0.5 to 1 mm to physically separate adhered fascia and ligaments and induce a tissue regenerative response. It is highly worth considering in chronic cases where the same posture is repeated professionally, such as driving. Treatment intervals are typically 1 to 2 weeks, requiring fewer sessions than standard acupuncture. From a Korean medicine perspective, a condition described as "temporary relief" refers to a stage where blood stasis and phlegm are firmly lodged in the fascia, blocking the pathways themselves even when Qi and blood circulate. While acupuncture is a treatment that moves Qi, Dochim plays a different role as it structurally opens blocked pathways. The procedure is performed precisely by confirming adhesion sites and surrounding structures using ultrasound. After dissection, weakened ligaments are reinforced using fire acupuncture and thread embedding to promote regeneration and maintain the relaxed state. Chronic patients in their 50s often exhibit a combination of muscle and vein excess yang, where tissue recovery is impaired due to liver and kidney deficiency. Therefore, internal treatment using constitution-tailored herbal medicine to clear blood stasis and replenish the liver and kidneys is necessary to ensure the long-lasting effects of Dochim. Opening the structure (external treatment) and filling the foundation (internal treatment) are the two key approaches to escaping chronic straight neck syndrome.