De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

The posture of scrolling or typing with the thumb while holding a smartphone in one hand keeps the wrist bent slightly ulnarly (towards the little finger). Repeatedly moving the thumb in this position causes friction inside the tendon tunnel of the first dorsal compartment to increase rapidly. It initially begins with a heavy sense of fatigue, but if the tendon sheath thickens, a positive reaction may appear on the Finkelstein test (severe pain when bending the wrist while clenching the thumb into a fist). From a Korean medicine perspective, the core pathogenesis involves muscle and tendon damage caused by overwork, as well as the stagnation of blood stasis resulting from blocked Qi and blood circulation. If the Qi and blood flow in the meridian passing along the outer side of the wrist near the thumb is blocked, a pulling and burning pain occurs. At Dongjedang, acupuncture treatment is used to prioritize the restoration of Qi and blood circulation in the meridians, and in cases where blood stasis has accumulated, pharmacopuncture is used to promote local anti-inflammation and regeneration. Internal treatment enhances digestive and absorption functions to ensure sufficient nutrient supply to the muscles and tendons.