Q What kind of treatment do you receive when visiting a Korean medicine clinic for the first time for peripheral neuropathy?
A During the first visit, a differential diagnosis is identified through a detailed medical history and neurological examination. Subsequently, an intensive initial treatment plan is established, focusing on acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and moxibustion. If necessary, ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture is used to directly target the area around the nerve pathway.
Detailed Answer
Procedure during the first visit for peripheral neuropathy: ① Medical History: Confirmation of symptom location and pattern (numbness/pain/sensory loss/cold sensation), onset time, underlying disease (diabetes, alcohol consumption, medication), and previous test results (nerve conduction test, blood test). ② Basic Neurological Evaluation: Vibration sensation, light touch sensation, and tendon reflex testing. ③ Korean Medicine Differential Diagnosis: Classification into Qi-blood deficiency, Spleen-Kidney deficiency, Damp-phlegm-blood stasis, etc. ④ Explanation of Treatment Plan: Frequency of acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and moxibustion; presence of herbal medicine; expected course. ⑤ 1st Treatment Session: Acupuncture at meridian acupoints appropriate for the differential diagnosis + pharmacopuncture around the ankle and sole (anti-inflammatory and blood flow improvement). Moxibustion (dissection of nerve entrapment site) if necessary. Treatment time is approximately 30–50 minutes.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
The goal of the initial treatment is to rapidly resolve Qi and blood stagnation around the nerve. Acupuncture is performed along the meridians on the inner side of the leg, and in cases of severe blood stasis, moxibustion is used to physically dissect adhesions around the meridian pathways. Pharmacopuncture rapidly reduces inflammation around the nerve. At Dongjedang, we honestly explain the expected course and stages of treatment during the first visit to ensure patients understand the flow of treatment and can participate.
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