Whiplash Injury

Generally, there are no major issues with the combined use of pain relievers (NSAIDs) and herbal medicine, and in fact, a significant number of traffic accident patients receive both Western and Korean medical treatments. However, since NSAIDs irritate the gastric mucosa, heartburn may worsen if combined with herbs that are burdensome to the stomach. Additionally, those taking anticoagulants such as warfarin must assess the potential for interactions with herbs that promote blood circulation. The basics of safe concurrent use are to space out medications by at least two hours and to inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking. From the perspective of Korean medicine, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treat superficial symptoms by reducing the signal of pain, whereas herbal medicine is closer to fundamental treatment that addresses the root cause, such as stagnant blood and waste products. Because their roles differ, they often complement each other rather than conflict. However, long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs can easily impair digestive function; weakened digestion reduces the production of Qi and blood, which are the building blocks for muscle recovery, potentially slowing down the recovery process. At Dongjedang, after reviewing the patient's medications and digestive status, we formulate herbal medicine tailored to their physical condition to dissolve stagnant blood and aid recovery without burdening the stomach. The most common pattern of concurrent treatment involves gradually reducing Western medications as pain subsides while consolidating the final stage of recovery with Korean medicine.