Shoulder Impingement

Acupuncture treatment helps remove inflammatory substances by relaxing muscle tension around the shoulder and increasing local blood flow. In particular, knife-needle acupuncture is effective in physically separating adhered tissues and enlarged bursae within the narrowed subacromial space, making it superior to simple acupuncture in resolving structural issues. While steroid injections provide rapid pain relief during the acute inflammatory phase, they have limitations in terms of long-term management as repeated injections (more than three times) increase the risk of tendon tissue weakening and rupture. In Korean medicine, the core cause of impingement syndrome is viewed as stagnation of Qi and blood, and a condition characterized by numbness and pain caused by blockages from cold and damp energies. Therefore, the goal is not merely to suppress pain, but to restore normal function by clearing blocked Qi and blood. Adhered tissues are separated using knife-needle acupuncture, anti-inflammatory effects are enhanced with pharmacopuncture and bee venom acupuncture, and collagen regeneration is induced using thread embedding. Herbal medicine tailored to one's constitution reinforces the function of regulating tendons and bones, thereby enhancing the intrinsic healing power of tendons; thus, compared to injection therapy, it plays a complementary role in preventing recurrence.