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Author: Dr. Lee Seung Hwan, Tong-In Clinic
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Editor : Sia
Hello! I'm Lee Seung Hwan, doctor at Tong-in Korean Medicine Clinic.
Are you dealing with chronic pain that just won't go away - for a year, two years, or more? 😫
If pain persists - only temporarily relieved by painkillers or physical therapy - it may be time to address 'structural instability,' the fundamental cause of pain.
Based on my co-authored book, 『Hands-On Thread Embedding Therapy』, I'll explain the therapy for chronic pain treatment. 👁️🗨️
🪡 Delivering Continuous Stimulation to Pain Areas
Thread embedding therapy can be understood as an enhanced acupuncture treatment that maximizes the long-established effects of acupuncture in Korean medicine.
It's a treatment inserting special threads - harmless to the body and completely dissolving over time - into pain-causing areas (acupoints, muscles, ligaments, fascia, etc.).
While regular acupuncture only stimulates during treatment sessions, thread embedding provides continuous stimulation for months as inserted threads remain in the body. This maintains long-term 'retained needle effects' - as if needles stayed in place for extended periods - which is thread embedding's major advantage.
📌 Are Dissolvable Threads Safe for the Body?
PDO threads (Polydioxanone) used in thread embedding are medical materials long used in internal surgeries.
For example, the same thread material is used in surgeries suturing internal organs and muscles like the heart or abdomen. This demonstrates its safety for human bodies with virtually no side effects.
📌 From Pain Treatment to Cosmetic Procedures
Thread embedding treatment reportedly provides positive effects on symptom relief and functional recovery for musculoskeletal diseases with pain and chronic conditions like lumbar disc issues.
Additionally, applications are expanding beyond dermatological and cosmetic fields. Clinical use is extending to internal medicine conditions, gynecological conditions (especially menopausal syndrome), and even psychiatric areas (depression, neurosis, etc.).
This is because thread embedding offers various effects including nerve function recovery, immunity enhancement, and metabolism improvement. In other words, thread embedding is gaining attention as a Korean medicine treatment helping body balance and resilience beyond simply relieving pain.
🪡 Stops Pain by Correcting Collapsed Structure
Chronic pain primarily stems from structural imbalance as specific body parts weaken.
Thread embedding therapy focuses on correcting this collapsed structure and strengthening weakened tissues.
📌 How Thread Embedding Works
1. Threads inserted in pain areas provide 'support' to weakened tissues.
Thread embedding is inserted into soft tissues like muscles or ligaments, acting like solid supports or props. It's particularly effective for recovering stability in core muscles supporting the lower back or the cervical spine (neck) - key to overall body balance.
2. Tissue regeneration occurs around inserted threads.
This is like activating our body's 'regeneration switch'. This process promotes collagen regeneration, rebuilding weakened muscles and ligaments stronger and more elastic. While threads dissolve away, newly created tissue remains, making effects last longer.
3. Activates sensory receptors regulating nerve-muscle function.
Thread embedding activates sensory receptors like muscle spindles that regulate muscle tension, helping our bodies self-regulate muscle movement and tension. This positively impacts pain relief and muscle function recovery.
📌 Thread Embedding Effects Based on Clinical Trials
According to 2018 clinical trial results, thread embedding treatment showed promise as an effective and safe option for chronic lower back pain patients. Key findings include:
1. Pain Relief
Patients receiving thread embedding experienced significantly decreased pain intensity.
2. Functional Improvement
Patients' lumbar functional disabilities improved, enhancing daily activity abilities previously limited by pain.
3. Safety Confirmation
Thread embedding could be performed relatively safely without serious side effects. Most reported side effects were mild and temporary.
This research provides important evidence suggesting thread embedding can positively impact chronic lower back pain patients' pain relief and functional recovery while ensuring sufficient safety.
🪡 What Makes Thread Embedding Special?
Thread embedding therapy offers three major advantages especially for chronic pain sufferers:
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No Surgery or Numbing Needed
Thread embedding is a non-surgical treatment similar to injections or acupuncture, without incisions or anesthesia, no scarring, and fast recovery. Daily activities are possible immediately after treatment.
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Long, Sustained Effects
Threads gradually dissolve in the body over 3-6 months, maintaining treatment effects long-term. Effects often improve over time due to regenerated tissue.
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Applicable to Various Chronic Conditions
Applied to various chronic conditions beyond musculoskeletal diseases like lower back pain, neck pain, knee arthritis, frozen shoulder, and disc conditions - including facial paralysis and neuropathic pain.
Living with chronic pain can be challenging, but understanding your treatment options is empowering. Thread embedding therapy represents one approach within Korean traditional medicine for addressing structural pain causes. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this treatment method!
