Herbal medicine may worsen pain

Patients who choose Chinese medicine prescriptions over Western treatments sometimes aggravate their pain, Lee Wen-ge, a doctor at Kang-ning General Hospital, said at a press conference.

Citing hospital statistics, Lee said, “46 percent of Taiwanese patients in the 40 to 60 age bracket who experience shoulder pain are later diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinopathy, a term used to describe injuries caused by overuse of the rotator cuff tendons.”

The causes of rotator cuff tendinopathy are many, including aging, repetitive movement, traumatic strain and sports injuries.

“The syndrome differs by case,” said Lee. While less serious cases exhibit inflammation that can be easily treated by ice compresses and rest, others can require surgery, he added.

Lee cited one 60-year-old female patient whose skin developed lesions because she kept applying herbal paste to her shoulder for a long period of time.

The woman's condition was only relieved after micro-surgery and rehabilitation, he said.

It is not uncommon to see patients go for acupuncture, massage and herbal remedies. The public, however, should understand that herbal treatment might not be the most efficient approach to pain management, he said.

“A lot of Taiwanese patients intuitively apply herbal patches when they feel shoulder pain,” said Tsuang Yang-hwei, head of Shuang Ho Hospsital's Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

Tsuang said that to ensure optimal recovery, the best way is to consult a Western medicine physician before undergoing any treatment.

However, Huang Yen-hao, an official from the Department of Health's Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, said that herbal products approved by the health authorities do indeed have medicinal effects.

Consumers should choose approved products and follow the instructions on the packaging to ensure safety, he added.

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