Shoulder Impingement

Chronic shoulder impingement syndrome (lasting more than 6 months) requires more treatment than in the acute phase because fibrosis and adhesions around the rotator cuff thicken, and the subacromial bursa becomes chronically hypertrophied. However, if there is no complete rupture and some muscle strength remains, functional recovery is possible through a combination of moxibustion, thread embedding, and exercise therapy. For patients with a history of more than five years, a realistic approach is required: setting the treatment goal as "restoration of daily function + disappearance of nighttime pain" rather than "complete pain relief," and proceeding with evaluations every three months. In Korean medicine, when chronic conditions arise where long-standing blood clots and waste products block the pathways of Qi and blood, thereby weakening the body's recovery ability, the approach involves first eliminating negative energy and replenishing recovery capacity before treatment. Since chronic illnesses require a strategy that simultaneously strengthens the functions of bones and tendons, the role of herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution becomes even more critical. Dongjedang presents a treatment roadmap for long-term patients, divided into short-term goals (50% reduction in pain) → mid-term goals (restoration of range of motion) → long-term goals (maintenance without recurrence).