Gout

During an acute gout attack (acute gouty arthritis), severe redness, heat sensation, and swelling occur due to neutrophil infiltration caused by uric acid crystals within the joint and a cytokine surge. Directly stimulating the reddened area during this period can amplify the inflammatory response, so rest and cold compresses are recommended in Western medicine as well. Even in Korean medicine clinics, it is common practice during the acute phase to focus on needling distal points and controlling systemic inflammation rather than directly needling the affected area. In Korean medicine, the acute phase is a state where damp-heat has reached its peak; therefore, internal treatment is prioritized based on the principle of cooling heat toxins and expelling dampness and turbidity. Acupuncture treatment utilizes points distal to the reddened area—specifically those regulating the energy of the lower extremities—to clear meridians and disperse heat. During the intermittent and chronic phases after attacks have subsided, Dongjedang Korean Medicine Clinic's approach involves using needle-needle therapy to resolve internal dampness and blood stasis, and administering herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution to extend the interval between recurrences and improve the environment for uric acid crystal formation.