Achilles Tendinitis

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are effective for short-term inflammation relief by inhibiting the COX pathway, but there are studies suggesting that long-term use interferes with tendon collagen synthesis. Since external treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture have different mechanisms of action than anti-inflammatory drugs, they are mutually complementary when performed in combination. However, since internal herbal medicine may contain ingredients with blood-thinning effects (such as Salvia miltiorrhiza and safflower), you must inform your prescribing physician if you are taking anticoagulants or platelet inhibitors. At Dongjedang, we review all medications currently being taken during the initial consultation to determine whether to prescribe herbal medicine. Treatment focused on external therapy can be safely combined without the risk of drug interactions, and we transition treatment in stages while coordinating the timing for discontinuing anti-inflammatory drugs. If herbal medicine is necessary, we formulate a prescription tailored to the patient's constitution, focusing on Qi and blood circulation and the removal of blood stasis, and proceed only after thoroughly reviewing its safety with any Western medications currently being taken.