Intercostal Neuralgia

These are considerations regarding the safety of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for the elderly. ① General Acupuncture: It is safe for the elderly and is a preferred non-drug treatment as it allows patients to avoid the side effects of painkillers (kidney, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular risks). ② Moxibustion: It is much less invasive than general surgery due to the use of a small needle for adhesion dissection. However, if the patient is taking antithrombotic agents (aspirin, warfarin, NOACs), medication verification is required before the procedure due to the risk of bleeding. In cases of severe osteoporosis, more meticulous control of the depth of the procedure is necessary when accessing the chest wall. ③ Pharmacopuncture: We check for the possibility of allergic reactions during the initial consultation. Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective: Since the elderly have weakened regenerative abilities, gentle and continuous treatment is more appropriate than strong stimulation. In Korean medicine, intercostal neuralgia in patients in their 70s is often characterized by a pattern where weakened kidney energy fails to adequately support bones and joints, contributing to thoracic spine degeneration; furthermore, a deficiency in energy and blood leads to blood clots. At Dongjedang, we adjust the insertion depth and needle intensity to suit the body type of the elderly, and formulate herbal medicine in a gentle manner to replenish energy and blood while dispersing clotted blood.