Knee Osteoarthritis: How to Approach Korean Medicine Treatment Before Surgery — Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic at Suyu Station
Author: Director Lee Moon-young (Chief Director, Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic)
This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Service Act.
If you have received a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis and started searching with the question "Is there any way other than surgery?", this article may be helpful. Please check the following three points first.
▪ If conservative treatment shows response and daily function can be maintained, Korean medicine treatment can be considered as one meaningful option.
▪ There are clinical reports indicating that combined approaches using acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, chuna therapy, and herbal medicine are more advantageous for pain relief and functional improvement than single treatments.
▪ However, since structural restoration of cartilage damage is difficult with any current treatment, it is important to first confirm suitability with a specialist Korean medicine doctor based on the stage of progression and symptom severity.
In What Situations Can Korean Medicine Treatment Before Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis Be Considered?
Degenerative knee arthritis is a condition in which cartilage gradually wears down, causing repeated inflammation and pain. Many people believe that "once diagnosed, surgery is ultimately the answer," but in reality, the options vary depending on the stage and severity of symptoms.
According to health information from Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, there are situations where surgery does not need to be chosen immediately if pain is not severe or conservative treatment shows response. The National Health Insurance Service health information (Understanding Knee Arthritis Correctly) also guides that continuing non-surgical approaches is the principle while symptoms improve with conservative treatment.
Korean medicine treatment is one option that can be considered during this 'conservative treatment' phase.
▪ Conclusion: If daily function can be maintained and conservative treatment shows response, Korean medicine treatment can have significance as a pre-surgery approach.
▪ Scope of Application: Suitability varies depending on stage of progression, pain intensity, and extent of cartilage damage, so preliminary diagnosis from a specialist Korean medicine doctor is essential.
Responses may vary depending on constitution and degree of symptoms.
Q. Do all degenerative arthritis patients receive the same treatment?
No. The range of applicable treatments varies depending on whether the condition is at an early, intermediate, or late stage, and also depending on constitution and accompanying symptoms. It is first necessary to identify the current stage through a diagnostic consultation.
Types of Korean Medicine Treatment Applied to Degenerative Knee Arthritis and Their Mechanisms of Action
Korean medicine applies combined treatment rather than single procedures to knee degenerative arthritis. The main treatment methods and their respective roles are summarized in the table below.
| Treatment Method | Main Action | Application Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture and Electrical Stimulation Acupuncture | Pain signal regulation, muscle tension relief | Research reports indicate greater effect size when continued for 4 weeks or more |
| Bee Venom Acupuncture | Joint area inflammation response regulation | Does not contain steroid components; applied to various joint areas including fingers and knees |
| Chuna Therapy | Joint alignment improvement, surrounding muscle and ligament function recovery | Clinical experience and expertise are important; synergistic effects expected when combined with other treatments |
| Herbal Medicine | Inflammation regulation, whole-body function harmonization | Customized prescription based on constitution and symptoms; systematic review reports contribution to reduction in NSAIDs dosage |
| Medicinal Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Cupping | Promotion of local blood circulation, relief of blood stasis | Selective application depending on symptom location |
According to an expert column published in Korean Medicine News, there is a systematic review result showing that in groups using herbal medicine preparations, NSAIDs (analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs) dosage was reduced and quality of life improved. Regarding acupuncture treatment, research stating that it is "one of the safe and effective treatment options for degenerative knee arthritis and has greater effect size when treated for 4 weeks or more" has been reported through Korean Medicine News.
A study published in the SCI(E)-level international journal Medicine (cited in Farmer's Newspaper) reported that after Korean medicine integrated treatment, pain scores (NRS) decreased from 5.4 at hospital admission to 2.96 after treatment, and in the same study, satisfaction with medicinal acupuncture treatment was reported at 65.4% of respondents.
▪ Conclusion: Combined approaches using acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, chuna therapy, and herbal medicine are utilized for pain relief and joint function improvement.
▪ Scope of Application: The focus of treatment varies depending on symptom severity and constitution, and combined approaches are recommended over single treatments.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic's Approach to Korean Medicine Treatment for Knee Arthritis
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic (formerly Gwangdeok Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic Gangbuk Suyu Branch) provides high-concentration bee venom acupuncture without steroid components combined with acupuncture treatment based on extensive clinical experience, and offers customized treatment on a weekly basis, confirming patient progress each week and reflecting it in prescriptions.
The specific treatment flow is as follows:
▪ Stage 1 — Constitution and Symptom Diagnosis: Based on eight-constitution medicine, the clinic identifies each patient's individual constitution and determines the cause and progression stage of knee pain.
▪ Stage 2 — Combined Treatment Application: High-concentration bee venom acupuncture addresses joint area inflammation response, and skilled chuna therapy promotes joint alignment and surrounding muscle function recovery.
▪ Stage 3 — Weekly Herbal Medicine Prescription: Instead of long-term prescriptions, the approach involves confirming progress each week and reflecting it in the prescription, allowing for detailed responses to symptom changes.
▪ Stage 4 — Lifestyle Management: Eight-constitution-based dietary therapy and lifestyle guidance are provided so that management continues outside the treatment room.
▪ Stage 5 — Continuous Care: After chuna therapy, zero-gravity decompression treatment allows for continuous maintenance of spine and joint management.
▪ Access Convenience: Located near Exit 3 of Suyu Station, the clinic begins treatment from 8 AM, 365 days a year. You can make reservations conveniently through Naver Booking without a phone call, and free parking is available at the nearby Garden Tower (Dobong-ro 328).
Limitations and Scope of Application
It is important to understand both the potential and clear limitations of Korean medicine treatment before starting.
▪ Structural restoration is difficult. According to Seoul National University Hospital medical information, it is currently difficult with any treatment to restore degenerative changes that have already occurred to normal joints. Korean medicine treatment also approaches pain relief and functional maintenance, not treatment that reverses worn cartilage itself.
▪ Avoiding the right surgical timing is also important. Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital health information states that if non-surgical treatment shows no improvement and daily life is significantly affected, surgical treatment should be considered. In cases of severe late-stage deformity, insisting on conservative treatment may actually cause you to miss the appropriate surgical timing.
▪ It is suitable for early to intermediate stages. Korean medicine combined treatment is suitable for early to intermediate stages where daily function can be maintained, for those seeking conservative approaches before surgery.
People residing near Suyu Station, Gangbuk-gu, and Mia Crossroads can also visit the clinic. If you are looking for a Korean medicine clinic near Suyu Station, considering joint Korean medicine treatment in Gangbuk-gu, or thinking about knee pain management near Mia Crossroads, please first confirm your current stage and suitability through a diagnostic consultation.
Responses may vary depending on constitution and degree of symptoms.
The First Step You Can Take Now Before Surgery
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency National Health Information Portal guides that in the treatment of osteoarthritis, finding a treatment method suited to your condition through accurate diagnosis is important. Before starting treatment, identifying the current stage of your symptoms and suitability is the most practical first step.
The direction suited to your symptoms and stage can be confirmed through consultation. Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic is located near Exit 3 of Suyu Station and can be conveniently visited through Naver Booking. Treatment begins at 8 AM on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, so you can visit early in the morning before work. Private individual treatment spaces are operated so you can receive comfortable consultation without worrying about others' attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. I have been diagnosed with degenerative arthritis, but can Korean medicine treatment reduce pain?
Some clinical reports show results of reduced pain scores after Korean medicine integrated treatment. However, the degree of response varies depending on the stage of progression and constitution, and it is important to first confirm the approach suited to your current condition through diagnosis.
Q2. What is bee venom acupuncture and how does it work on knee joints?
Bee venom acupuncture is medicinal acupuncture made from refined bee venom, applied directly to the joint area to regulate inflammation response. As it does not contain steroid components, you can worry less about tolerance with repeated procedures, and it is applied to various joint areas including the knee.
Q3. I was recommended surgery, but is it okay to try Korean medicine treatment first?
If conservative treatment shows response and daily function can be maintained, there may be cases where you can try it first. However, in cases of severe late-stage deformity or serious interference with daily life, it is also important not to miss the surgical timing, so it is recommended to decide after specialist diagnosis.
Q4. How long should I expect the treatment period to be?
There is individual variation depending on symptom severity and stage of progression. At Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic, prescriptions are provided on a weekly basis and progress is confirmed each week, so you can adjust the treatment direction to match your own changes. Specific timing will be provided during the initial consultation.
Responses may vary depending on constitution and degree of symptoms.