Raah Acupuncture · Koreatown, Los Angeles

Selected clinical cases

Anonymized cases from our clinical records — showing what the patient came in with, how care progressed, and what was documented at the end.

4 cases · updated as records are reviewed

Real records, not promises Each case is drawn from a documented course of care at Raah Acupuncture. Identifying details have been removed or generalized.
What we include Treatment duration, measurable changes, functional outcomes, and other care when it materially affected the case.
Clinical case disclaimer A case report describes one person's experience. It does not establish that acupuncture or herbal medicine alone caused the outcome, and it does not predict how another patient will respond.

Selected cases

Different presentations, fully documented courses

Outcome in brief Pain decreased from 6/10 to 3/10, numbness resolved, left-leg weakness improved by approximately 80%, and great-toe extension improved substantially.

Initial presentation

A man in his late 40s presented after an initial lumbar injury followed by a reinjury. He had developed left lower-extremity weakness, foot drop, and numbness, with pain radiating from the low back down the left leg to the great toe.

At the first acupuncture visit, pain was 6/10 despite gabapentin. Lumbar flexion and extension were limited, and the chart documented left lower-extremity weakness and sensory changes consistent with L4–L5 radiculopathy. Gait was affected by the foot drop.

Imaging and medical context

MRI findings reviewed in the chart showed a large 5–6 mm L4–L5 disc protrusion, slightly left of midline, with approximately 1.5 cm inferior migration consistent with an extruded disc fragment. The report described moderate central canal stenosis and severe left lateral-recess stenosis.

Surgical treatment had been under consideration because of the motor weakness. The patient remained under medical supervision while pursuing conservative care.

Course of care

Symptoms and motor function were followed across seven visits. By the fifth visit, the patient reported improvement and elected to cancel the planned surgery and continue conservative management. He completed two additional visits afterward.

Treatment approach

Care included individualized acupuncture, infrared therapy, and cautious manual treatment, adjusted according to changes in pain, sensation, strength, gait, and functional tolerance. The case is presented as the documented course during conservative care, not as evidence that acupuncture prevented surgery.

Final documented status

Pain6/10 → 3/10
NumbnessResolved
Leg weakness~80% improved

At the final documented visit, great-toe extension was substantially stronger. Lumbar range of motion was within functional limits with only mild discomfort, and no neurological deficits were observed. He had resumed light activity such as biking and was preparing to return to work.

Longer-term follow-up

The treating clinician later confirmed that the patient returned to work and was doing well without the functional limitations seen at the beginning of care. This longer-term update is clinician follow-up and is kept separate from the contemporaneous final SOAP documentation.

Outcome in brief Gingival symptoms improved by approximately 90%, the sore throat resolved, chin pain nearly resolved, and neck pain decreased from 6/10 to 3/10.

Initial presentation

A woman in her early 20s presented with generalized gingival swelling and inflammation, left-sided sore throat, chin pain, and significant neck and upper-back tension. She had already been evaluated by a dentist and referred for specialist dental evaluation.

Neck and upper-back pain was 6/10, with marked SCM tension and painful, restricted cervical rotation.

Treatment approach

Care combined acupuncture, myofascial treatment, infrared therapy, and herbal medicine. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang was prescribed at 2 g twice daily for seven days. Dental and specialist follow-up remained part of the plan throughout the episode of care.

Why the herbal prescription matters

Both follow-up notes document improvement after the prior treatment and herbal therapy. The treating clinician considered Huang Lian Jie Du Tang an important component of the improvement in the oral and throat symptoms. The relative contribution of acupuncture, herbal medicine, natural recovery, and dental care cannot be isolated from this case.

Visit 2

Gingival symptoms~50% improved
Neck pain6/10 → 4/10
SCM symptoms~80% improved

Redness and aching had decreased markedly. The sore throat was almost completely resolved, chin pain had improved considerably, and cervical rotation was easier, although not yet fully restored.

Final visit

Gingival symptoms~90% improved
Neck pain3/10
Cervical ROMWithin normal limits

The sore throat had completely resolved and chin pain was nearly resolved. Previous SCM symptoms were no longer a significant complaint. The third visit represented the final treatment for this episode of care; no additional treatment was planned at that time.

Clinical context

Acupuncture and herbal medicine were used as supportive care, not as a replacement for dental evaluation. The patient had already been evaluated by a dentist and was advised to continue appropriate dental or specialist follow-up if oral symptoms persisted, recurred, or worsened.

Outcome in brief The patient reported approximately 90% overall improvement, with no pain at rest, normal gait, full range of motion, and only mild discomfort with running by the final visit.

Initial presentation

A woman in her 30s presented with new-onset left calf pain after going for a run. She described intense tenderness in the calf and pain with walking, rated 6/10. The discomfort was significant enough to mildly disturb her sleep.

On examination, she walked with an antalgic gait and had tenderness of the left calf. Lower-extremity movement was limited by pain with walking. There was no significant swelling or erythema, and no neurological deficits were observed.

The presentation was assessed as an acute muscular calf strain involving the gastrocnemius/soleus region.

Treatment approach

Care included individualized acupuncture and infrared therapy directed toward pain reduction and muscular recovery.

Activity guidance

The patient was also advised to temporarily avoid running and high-impact activity, gradually resume activity as symptoms improved, and incorporate gentle stretching as tolerated.

Visit 2

Pain6/10 → 4/10
Range of motionWithin functional limits
Swelling / neuro deficitNone

After the first treatment, the patient reported a temporary increase in pain on the day of treatment and the following day. This was followed by approximately three days of notable relief.

When some discomfort returned, it was less intense than at the initial visit, with pain rated 4/10. Examination continued to show calf tenderness, but range of motion was within functional limits and there remained no significant swelling, erythema, or neurological deficit.

Final visit

Overall improvement~90%
PainNone at rest · 3/10 running
GaitNormal

By the third documented visit, the patient reported that her calf symptoms had improved by approximately 90%. She denied pain at rest and reported only mild discomfort with running, rated 3/10.

Objective findings showed normal gait without antalgia; full ankle and calf range of motion without pain at rest; minimal residual calf tenderness; mild discomfort only with resisted plantarflexion; no swelling or erythema; and no neurological deficits.

The patient stated that she felt confident in her recovery and requested discharge from active care.

Outcome at a glance

Treatment course
3 visits over approximately 3 weeks
Pain
6/10 with walking → 4/10 → no pain at rest; 3/10 only with running
Gait
Antalgic → normal
Range of motion
Limited by pain → full and pain-free at rest
Tenderness
Significant → minimal residual tenderness
Functional status
Returned toward running activity
Disposition
Patient requested discharge from active care

Clinical takeaway

This case documents progressive functional recovery during a short course of conservative care for an acute calf strain.

Importantly, the response was not completely linear: the patient experienced a temporary post-treatment flare after the first visit before experiencing several days of relief and continued improvement. By the final visit, gait and range of motion had normalized, resting pain had resolved, and only mild activity-related discomfort remained.

As with all clinical cases, this represents one patient's documented course and does not establish that acupuncture alone caused the improvement or predict how another patient with a similar injury will respond.

Outcome in brief The patient reported approximately 90% overall improvement by the fourth visit. Right shoulder pain decreased from 6/10 to 3/10, shoulder range of motion improved from painful and limited abduction to near-full motion, and she was able to return to swimming with minimal pain and difficulty. At a subsequent visit one week later for an unrelated complaint, her chart documented that the right shoulder pain had resolved.

Initial presentation

A woman in her 30s presented with right shoulder and periscapular pain associated with frequent headaches. Pain was localized to the upper trapezius, infraspinatus, rhomboid, and posterior deltoid regions and was rated 6/10.

The shoulder pain had begun to interfere with swimming. She experienced difficulty with shoulder abduction, with pain occurring at approximately 110 degrees, limiting her ability to perform normal swimming strokes.

Examination showed painful and restricted shoulder abduction with tenderness and increased muscle tension involving the upper trapezius, infraspinatus, rhomboids, and posterior deltoid. No swelling, erythema, or neurological deficits were observed.

Treatment approach

Care included individualized acupuncture and infrared therapy directed toward reducing shoulder and scapular myofascial pain and improving mobility. Manual therapy to the shoulder and scapular region was also documented during one of the follow-up visits.

Activity guidance

The patient was initially advised to avoid aggravating activity, including swimming, and then gradually return to swimming as symptoms improved. Stretching and strengthening exercises were encouraged to support shoulder stability and recovery.

Visits 2 and 3

Pain6/10 → 4/10
Overall improvement50% → 70%
HeadachesNone since first treatment

At the first follow-up, the patient reported approximately 50% overall improvement. Shoulder pain decreased from 6/10 to 4/10. She was able to attempt swimming again and reported improved arm elevation and better ability to swim, although some pain remained. Shoulder range of motion had improved compared with the initial visit, with only mild residual discomfort. She also reported no headaches since the previous treatment.

By the third visit, the patient estimated that her overall symptoms were approximately 70% improved. She had resumed swimming and reported that arm strokes were easier than before, although some difficulty remained. Pain remained 4/10, and shoulder range of motion continued to improve, with only mild discomfort at the end range. Headaches remained absent during this period.

Visit 4

Pain3/10
Overall improvement~90%
Range of motionNear-full

At the fourth shoulder-focused visit, the patient reported approximately 90% overall improvement. Shoulder pain had decreased to 3/10. She was able to swim with only minimal pain and difficulty and reported noticeably easier arm strokes.

Objective examination showed near-full right shoulder range of motion; minimal discomfort only at end range; mild residual tenderness in the upper trapezius, infraspinatus, rhomboid, and posterior deltoid; no swelling or erythema; and no neurological deficits. Headaches had remained absent throughout the shoulder follow-up visits.

Later confirmation

At a subsequent visit approximately one week later for an unrelated calf complaint, the patient's chart documented that her right shoulder pain had resolved.

A mild headache was reported at that later visit, so the headache component should not be interpreted as permanently resolved.

Outcome at a glance

Treatment course
4 shoulder-focused visits over approximately 2 weeks
Pain
6/10 → 4/10 → 4/10 → 3/10
Overall improvement
Approximately 90% by Visit 4
Shoulder abduction
Painful around 110° → near-full range of motion
Swimming
Limited / unable to swim comfortably → resumed → minimal pain and difficulty
Headaches
Frequent initially → absent throughout shoulder-treatment follow-ups
Later shoulder status
Documented as resolved at a subsequent visit

Clinical takeaway

This case demonstrates a documented progression from shoulder pain that interfered with swimming to near-full range of motion and return to swimming with minimal symptoms over four treatment visits.

The strongest feature of the case is the functional progression: swimming was initially limited, then gradually resumed, and the shoulder pain was later documented as resolved.

As with all clinical case reports, this reflects one patient's documented course of care and does not establish that acupuncture alone caused the improvement or predict how another patient with a similar condition will respond.

Raah Acupuncture

Individualized care

The diagnosis is only the beginning

At Raah Acupuncture, treatment may draw from Saam acupuncture, other acupuncture systems, manual methods, and herbal medicine depending on the presentation. Similar symptoms do not necessarily lead to the same treatment plan.

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These anonymized case summaries are provided for educational purposes only. Individual outcomes vary. They are not a guarantee of results, medical advice, or evidence that any single treatment caused the documented outcome.