Whiplash Injury

If whiplash injury persists for several weeks, adhesions form as collagen clumps together in a disorderly manner during the healing process; this causes deep stiffness and pulling sensations during exercise. Adhesive tissues have poor blood flow, making them difficult to resolve with medication or standard acupuncture stimulation alone. Dochim (straight needle acupuncture) is a treatment that uses a flat-tipped needle, 0.5 to 0.75 mm in diameter, to finely separate adhered fibers and induce tissue remodeling by stimulating regenerative activity at the ligament attachment site. Performing this procedure under ultrasound guidance allows for precise targeting of the tissue and enhances safety. In Korean medicine, chronic pain is viewed as stagnant blood settling deep within the meridians, and the treatment adheres to the principle that these blockages must be resolved. While general acupuncture regulates the flow of Qi and blood, Dochim is a treatment that directly dissolves the accumulated nodules themselves, making it suitable for patients who have entered a stage where fascia and ligaments have loosened and the underlying foundation has weakened. Since ligaments and fascia fall under the liver's domain based on the principle that the liver governs muscles and ligaments, Dongjedang separates adhesions using Dochim. Subsequently, for tissues requiring recovery, we promote regeneration using Hwachim (fire acupuncture) and thread embedding. Internally, we clear out blood stasis and dampness, and reinforce the liver and kidneys with herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution to prevent the loosened areas from hardening again. For those in physically demanding professions, we also provide guidance on post-treatment load management.