Q I am a housewife in my 40s. Do I need to take herbal medicine for my temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment? Is acupuncture alone insufficient?
A While many patients see significant results with acupuncture alone, using herbal medicine in conjunction with it improves the speed and duration of treatment in cases of chronic TMJ disorders or when accompanied by general tension and fatigue. Herbal medicine tailored to your constitution and differential diagnosis helps with the recovery of tissues surrounding the joint and prevents recurrence.
Detailed Answer
Acute and simple muscle tension TMJ disorders often improve rapidly with acupuncture alone. However, in cases accompanied by systemic symptoms such as chronic pain, sleep disorders, general fatigue, and indigestion, improving the internal environment with herbal medicine helps the external treatment effect last longer. Treatment plans are tailored individually based on the severity and duration of symptoms, as well as the patient's general condition.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Chronic TMJ symptoms mostly manifest as a combination of energy stagnation and heat in the stomach and intestines. Herbal medicine is prescribed to restore meridian flow by releasing stagnant energy and cooling heat in the stomach, and to improve blood circulation and eliminate clotted blood accumulated in the joints. By using herbal medicine tailored to one's constitution to flush out waste and clotted blood and correct organ functions, the effects of acupuncture treatment are maintained more stably, and recurrence is reduced. You can understand that acupuncture plays a role in rapid pain relief, while herbal medicine plays a role in preventing recurrence and harmonizing the entire body.
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