讀後心得

A 55-year-old female patient experienced discomfort and pain in her shoulders and neck due to long-term use of her mobile phone for stock trading. An X-ray examination revealed slight bone spurs and degenerative disc disease in her cervical spine. Initially, traditional treatments provided relief, but the effects were not lasting. She was later referred to a pain center for high-frequency thermal coagulation therapy and regenerative injections. After multiple treatments, the patient's pain significantly decreased, and her quality of life improved. With the frequent use of mobile phones, chronic shoulder and neck pain has become a common issue. The pain center focuses on advanced treatment methods, especially high-frequency thermal coagulation therapy, which has shown significant results. Chronic shoulder and neck pain can be caused by various factors, and treatment must understand the underlying causes and provide targeted care. High-frequency thermal coagulation therapy is a minimally invasive technique that can effectively reduce inflammation and pain, with quick recovery and minimal side effects. The orthopedic team offers personalized treatment plans, combining exercise and physical therapy to aid recovery. Patients should also maintain good lifestyle habits, avoid prolonged looking down, and perform regular neck exercises to strengthen muscles.

A 55-year-old female patient had been trading stocks through her mobile phone for a long time and noticed discomfort in her shoulders and neck from morning until afternoon. Sometimes, the pain radiated to her fingers, which disrupted her daily life. After an X-ray at the clinic, the doctor found that she had mild bone spurs and disc degeneration in her cervical spine. Initially, she chose traditional painkillers and physical therapy with neck traction. Although her symptoms improved temporarily, they soon recurred. A few months later, she visited an orthopedic department, and after evaluation, she was referred to a pain center for high-frequency thermal coagulation therapy and prolotherapy. After multiple treatments, the patient's pain significantly decreased, her range of motion improved, and most importantly, her quality of life was enhanced, making her mood more positive and cheerful.

With the widespread use of mobile phones, chronic shoulder and neck pain has become a common health issue. Research shows that chronic shoulder and neck pain not only affects quality of life but can also lead to depression and decreased mobility. To assist these patients, the pain center focuses on utilizing advanced treatment methods to improve neck pain, particularly high-frequency thermal coagulation therapy, which has shown good results.

Causes of Chronic Shoulder and Neck Pain

• Rotator cuff tear or subacromial impingement syndrome
• Cervical bone spurs, facet joint degeneration, disc degeneration, muscle tension
• Poor posture and prolonged neck flexion increase the burden on the neck

Before treatment, it is essential to understand the source of chronic shoulder and neck pain; chronic inflammation of muscles and fascia can be adjusted through prolotherapy. Degenerative pain from certain cervical joints can be effectively managed by blocking the medial branches of the cervical nerve roots through high-frequency thermal coagulation therapy, thus reducing the need for pain medications. If neck pain is accompanied by radicular pain to the forearm or hand, it may be due to foraminal stenosis causing nerve root compression, at which point a foraminal injection may be considered. For more severe nerve root compression, traditional surgery or minimally invasive surgeries such as cervical endoscopy may be required for decompression. If cervical pain is accompanied by loss of balance or instability while walking, a neurologic examination should be performed in addition to pain management.

Principles of High-Frequency Thermal Coagulation Therapy

High-frequency thermal coagulation therapy is a minimally invasive treatment technique that uses high-frequency electrical currents to generate heat, raising the target tissue to a specific temperature, helping to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote tissue repair. The doctor places specific electrodes at the pain site and uses ultrasound or X-ray for precise positioning, applying very fine electrodes for thermal coagulation treatment. The advantages of this therapy include a short recovery time and relatively few side effects.

Orthopedic doctors often assist patients in treating various chronic pain conditions, including problems in the limbs' joints and the cervical spine. With advances in technology and medicine, many minimally invasive or even ultra-minimally invasive surgical methods have gradually emerged, achieving good results through incisions smaller than one centimeter while minimizing damage to normal structures. However, some patients may not be suitable for surgery after examination; in these cases, the pain center will provide a comprehensive pain management plan, with a team of experienced interdisciplinary doctors and nursing staff developing personalized treatment plans based on the specific circumstances of the patient, combined with exercise therapy and physical therapy to aid in full recovery.

Precautions and Recommendations

Before treatment, the doctor will assess the indications based on medical history and physical examination. During the treatment process, patients must follow the guidance of professionals and engage in appropriate care and rehabilitation exercises to achieve the best results. Additionally, maintaining good lifestyle habits is crucial in reducing cervical pain. Patients are advised to pay attention to daily posture, avoid prolonged forward bending, and regularly perform neck stretching and relaxation exercises to enhance the strength and flexibility of the neck muscles.