Whiplash Injury

The principle of whiplash injury treatment is to proceed according to the recovery stages of the damaged tissue (inflammatory phase → proliferative phase → remodeling phase). In the Stage 1 assessment, the location of pain, range of motion, and the presence of neurological symptoms are checked, and the condition of ligaments and muscles is examined using ultrasound if necessary. The goal of Stage 2 acute treatment is pain and inflammation control; Stage 3 is the period to loosen hardened tissues and strengthen weakened structures; and Stage 4 involves posture and exercise education to prevent recurrence. If you skip steps, pain is prone to recurrence. From the perspective of a Korean medicine clinic, this stage precisely overlaps with the sequence of resolving blood stasis, clearing blocked meridians, and nourishing the weakened constitution. Dongjedang’s external treatment implements this principle using a step-by-step approach. During the acute phase, anti-inflammation and pain relief are provided through acupuncture, bee venom therapy, and pharmacopuncture; during the subacute phase, adhesions are separated and ligaments are strengthened using ultrasound-guided needle acupuncture; and regeneration is promoted in slow-recovering tissues through fire acupuncture and thread embedding. Internal treatment proceeds alongside this throughout all stages; the ultimate goal is to create a physical condition that prevents recurrence even after treatment is complete by clearing out accumulated blood stasis, dampness, and toxins, and replenishing Qi and blood with herbal medicine tailored to the individual's constitution. The fundamental framework of Dongjedang’s pain treatment is to restore circulation and organ function, rather than merely alleviating localized pain.