Objectives: Research on the general prescription patterns of insured herbal preparations in Korea has been limited. This study aimed to analyze prescription patterns of insured herbal preparations, utilizing the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) sample cohort 2.0 data from 2010 to 2019.Methods: NHIS sample cohort 2.0 database, which represents a sample of 2.2% of the Korean population, was analyzed. We analyzed data related to prescriptions recognized as insured herbal preparations. Variables included patient demographics, diagnosis codes, prescription details, and healthcare institution characteristics. We examined trends over the decade, focusing on herbal formulae and single herb extracts.Results: During the study period, 275,358 patients visited Korean traditional medicine clinics and received at least one prescription of herbal preparations, representing 27.5% of the total sample. The number of prescriptions increased by 209%, from 34,621 in 2010 to 72,553 in 2019. Females accounted for 67% of these prescriptions, and 77% were for patients aged 70 and older. The top ten herbal formulae (TTHF), including Ojeok-san and Gungha-tang, constituted 76% of all prescriptions. Herbal formulae were used more frequently than single herb extracts, with certain prescriptions being commonly utilized. There was a notable focus on musculoskeletal disorders, with low back pain being the most common diagnosis.Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant increase in the use of insured herbal preparations, primarily in small clinics and among the elderly. Prescription patterns showed a preference for specific single herb extracts and herbal formulae, with consistent trends over time. These findings provide valuable insights for future clinical research and policy development, particularly as herbal medicine's role in the national healthcare system continues to expand.

Background and Objectives: Musculoskeletal pain is a global public health issue. Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM), a type of East Asian Traditional Medicine, offers personalized, minimally invasive treatment through Eight Constitution Acupuncture (ECA) and Eight Constitution Lifestyle Intervention (ECLI). Despite its clinical use, scientific evidence supporting ECM’s effectiveness remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness in treating musculoskeletal pain in primary care settings. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed medical records from three ECM clinics (Gangnam-Shingwang, Yeson, and Yebon) between January 2018 and August 2023. A total of 163 patients were included, with 44 providing follow-up data. Pain intensity, quality of life, and functional outcomes were assessed using validated instruments including the PainDETECT questionnaire, Korean Cancer Pain Assessment Tool (KCPAT) somatic pain scores, EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Pre- and post-treatment scores were statistically analyzed. Results: Significant decreases were observed in KCPAT somatic pain scores (11.77 ± 4.77 to 9.77 ± 5.32) and significant improvements in EQ-5D-5L scores (0.74 ± 0.12 to 0.80 ± 0.07). WOMAC and ODI scores also showed significant improvements. However, the changes in the NDI, SPADI, and PainDETECT scores were not statistically significant. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: ECM, through ECA and ECLI, may offer effective personalized treatment for musculoskeletal pain, improving both pain intensity and quality of life. Despite its small sample size and retrospective design, this study offers valuable preliminary evidence for ECM. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.