Chapter 124
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Thread Embedding Therapy
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"Are you closing it up with that?"
Cheon Won-il asked, looking at the thread embedding needle.
"No, it's not directly suturing the torn part. Actually, it goes in along the muscle fibers like this. It strengthens the muscle while supplying blood to promote natural healing."
I placed the thread embedding needle on his shoulder and roughly showed him the path it would take.
"I'll insert it now. It only hurts a little when the needle pierces the skin."
It wasn't like the barbed thread I'd used before—long with barbs protruding from the thread.
The needle inserted with the thread was just a bit thicker than a regular acupuncture needle.
I inserted two thread embedding needles along the supraspinatus fibers and one into the trapezius.
It was a method of inserting the needle connected to the thread into the muscle and then pulling out just the needle.
"Bearable?"
"Mm...... Yes. It hurts more than regular acupuncture, though."
"Supraspinatus is all set. I'll treat the other rotator cuff muscles too. The supraspinatus tear is the result, not the cause."
"They all strain together, and the weakest one tears?"
"That's how it is in your case, sir."
For a young person, a rotator cuff tear is an injury. But for someone of a certain age who uses their arm a lot, tears like this are often found even without a specific incident.
It's cumulative damage from wear and tear over a long period.
While chatting with Cheon Won-il, I inserted thread embedding needles into the infraspinatus and teres minor as well.
The four muscles of the rotator cuff.
Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.
Among them, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor aren't hard to access with acupuncture.
Even covered by the trapezius, they're positioned above the scapula, so you can approach from the back.
But the subscapularis is on the front of the scapula, behind the lungs, so you have to enter very carefully from the armpit side.
"This hurts too, doesn't it?"
I gently rubbed his armpit to palpate.
For most people with shoulder pain, it tightens up along with the rest, and even if the trapezius loosens, this spot doesn't easily follow.
"Eek!"
Cheon Won-il let out an involuntary yelp.
"Sorry about that. The lungs are......"
"Don't worry. I'll just do one herbal injection, so when you stretch your shoulders, loosen this area too."
Since I couldn't see him daily, I had to do everything possible today.
Not just the points for the rotator cuff issue and shoulder pain, but I checked and pressed all the muscles in the neck and shoulders to find the tender spots.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
With needling at the pressure pain points done, the last step was electroacupuncture.
Applying electrical stimulation to the areas needing reinforcement.
"Stay like this for 20 minutes. Any discomfort?"
"No, it's fine."
I drew the curtain in the treatment room and stepped out to the waiting area.
Of course, Kim Chunsik, Jeon Minji, Yu Kyung-hun, and Seong Myeongin—who had all followed to watch my treatment—were there too.
"Don't worry too much. Even though the tear is bigger than you first thought, it's not untreatable. It should improve."
The energy emanating from Cheon Won-il wasn't weak.
If I drew it in and added a bit of reinforcement with tools, recovery was definitely possible.
"Thank you so much."
Seong Myeongin bowed deeply.
"Wow, is there anything you can't do?"
"You can read ultrasounds like that too...... My judgment was too narrow."
"Heh heh, I need to train harder so I don't fall behind Director Han."
"Me too! I'll practice martial arts and study everything diligently!"
Jeon Minji and Yu Kyung-hun's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Why was even Director Kim Chunsik so amazed?
Boosting the new friends like that!
"Yep. Let's all fight on."
Pain somewhere is very common when painting.
You get lost in the zone and stay in one position for hours.
Neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, fingers, lower back—even knees; nothing was spared.
When young, it was fine after a night's sleep.
A bit older, he got friendly with Korean medicine clinics.
Sometimes massages, other times injections at orthopedic clinics.
And not long ago.
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art suggested a special exhibition of Eastern paintings centered on Cheon Won-il and his disciples.
Cheon Won-il was a master who never missed any domestic Eastern painting exhibitions, and he'd exhibited there before.
But including his disciples' works.
It was a great opportunity for those unknown youngsters.
'It hurts more than usual lately.'
His shoulder hadn't been great recently, but he wanted to finish the piece prepared for the exhibition schedule.
Cheon Won-il had overdone it a bit.
"Aigoo, frozen shoulder. Do lots of stretching during treatment. It takes time to heal anyway."
He got treatment at his regular clinic, but the pain didn't improve at all.
'Just push through this month and rest.'
The exhibition was a huge success.
Some kids got great reviews, and even the youngest disciple—practically unknown—got an exclusive contract offer from a major gallery.
But Cheon Won-il's shoulder wasn't so lucky.
"Hmm...... Slight rotator cuff tear. Rest is key. Physical therapy and monitor progress."
He got an MRI and every treatment from both hospitals, but no improvement.
Eventually surgery? Would he regain full arm use?
General anesthesia, arthroscopy......?
Searching images, Cheon Won-il squeezed his eyes shut.
"Teacher, how have you been?"
Maybe from searching surgery vids before sleep.
Unlike his usual reply to his disciple's check-in, Cheon Won-il complained.
"Don't end up like me—baby your shoulder from a young age."
Come to think of it, that gallery rep who wanted him badly had recommended a clinic.
Maybe check it out? Any methods there?
"I'll take you right now!"
Seeing Seong Myeongin's eyes tremble, Cheon Won-il regretted his words.
Nothing serious, yet he worried him needlessly.
"It's in Busan."
"Ah...... Still, worth a visit? I heard about that director casually too. His grandson got into Korean med school thanks to him."
"Exaggeration, probably. Hmm, ......I'll stop by next month. Got a lecture in Busan anyway."
"Shouldn't you treat it sooner? It's your shoulder! If it's too far, I'll find another hospital!"
"Calm down. I'm already in treatment."
It must've bugged him, as he called again days later.
"Heo Rep called. Two Korean docs are interested in your painting."
"Oh? Good."
"That director Heo bragged about came too. Why not go and have your shoulder checked?"
Even so, going to an intro event?
Cheon Won-il scolded his disciple harshly.
"Would you like it if you went to eat and they asked you to paint? There's a time and place for business, and proper payment!"
"Ah...... Sorry."
He'd forgotten about it after.
"A~~ I can't deal! Our director says it's fine, and you come? That's Seoul folks for ya! Skip the useless courtesy and come quick next time!"
......In the end, Cheon Won-il couldn't withstand Heo Rep's nagging.
Rotator cuff tear diagnosis matched.
But 2cm?
Honestly, no sense of scale. Big? Not really?
The accompanying docs marveled at the ultrasound, but he wasn't impressed.
Inserting thread? Would that work?
Definitely needs suturing......
But surgery scared him......
"Teacher, try lifting your arm?"
After treatment, though.
"One session won't change much, ......It lifts?"
His arm went up.
2cm tear, no support? How?
Not even that different from usual acupuncture?
"Wow, immediate effect!"
"Great, teacher!"
The ultrasound-fanboying docs just lightly admired.
But Seong Myeongin and Cheon Won-il couldn't hide their shock.
"How?"
Intense treatment two months, but arm hadn't lifted properly for longer.
Lately, at 90 degrees, it trembled without moving?
"The treatment just supported it. This was a check—don't overdo it!"
Director Han Yeowon spoke like she'd expected it.
"Might ache a day or two post-threading. Director Kim here is great too, so come back in two weeks. Regular acupuncture in between is good; your usual clinic if coming's hard."
"No, not far. I'll come daily. Can't paint anyway, no schedule but lectures."
"Don't stress, rest and treat repeatedly. Quick results mean good prognosis."
"Thank you."
Director Han Yeowon returned to Busan.
Cheon Won-il followed her plan: three thread sessions two weeks apart.
Daily acupuncture, occasional herbal injections as Kim Chunsik suggested.
Pain improved fast.
The heavy lift feeling lessened.
"Ultrasound shows slight reduction. Healing. Symptoms and scans improved—no surgery needed."
"Too soon to paint?"
"Fine if painless. Never long sessions; rest every 30 min max."
"Oh, thank you!"
Cheon Won-il picked up the brush after ages.
No pain in proper posture.
Not fully healed, but feeling the brush on paper made his heart stir.
Suddenly, he wanted to give small gifts.
To Director Han who first treated him, and Director Kim kindly handling ongoing care.
Back from Seoul business soon after, the now-regular online meeting shared Cheon Won-il's progress.
Shoulder improving nicely, thankfully.
Branch 4 opening progressed smoothly.
Luckily met an interior boss who loved wuxia, poured soul into massive reno.
Grand paintings made it perfect Martial Alliance Leader and Heavenly Demon office.
'No office in real Heavenly Demon Palace, but......'
Costumes exceeded expectations.
Fancy video ones were one thing, but simplified hanbok for clinic looked legit.
'Better than Alliance Leader in rags.'
Martial arts videos...... Reactions good, but honestly modern editing win.
Yu Kyung-hun's disease intro script he reviewed? Top quality.
Crushed average doc NewTubes per couple's hope; official followers piled pre-opening.
[Whoa, Heavenly Demon treats headaches? Needles in head? Scary af.]
[Gonna test if mind-controlled by magic]
[Oppa let's stop here on Jeju trip! @muhyeoplove12321]
Opening day, reviews trickled without ads.
Treatment surprisingly good, jaw-dropping interiors, Heavenly Demon director huge wuxia fan, rare wuxia mags in waiting room, etc.
Whether this bonanza catches all rabbits? Up to skill.
I left an encouraging comment on Seongsu Murim Clinic's official SNS and logged off.
Ding~
Thought break time, but new patients.
Chart: Two registered.
Kang Jaekyung, new.
Song Wonjong, re-visit.
Re-visit: Long time since last, treated as new on system but actually follow-up.
Disease may change, so I examine fresh.
'Huh, Mr. Song Wonjong?'
The restaurant owner with reflux esophagitis before?
Moved away, no contact, relapse?
Right on cue, his voice from outside.
"Huh? You, the band guy! The drummer, right?"
"No, boss, what brings you here?"
"Haha, wrist hurts. Busy with customers, overdid it—it's bad."
"You too? Here for wrist. All meeting at acupuncture clinic?"
They bumped into each other in waiting room, acquaintances.