What is the principle behind TAME (Transcatheter Arterial Microembolization)? Why is chronic pain related to abnormal blood vessels?

What is the principle behind TAME (Transcatheter Arterial Microembolization)? Why is chronic pain related to abnormal blood vessels?

Article Summary

You have tried anti-inflammatory drugs, rehabilitation, shockwave therapy, pain patches, and local injections, yet the pain remains recurrent. Many people ask: what exactly hasn't been addressed? Starting from the mechanism, this article explains why chronic pain is associated with abnormally proliferating microvessels, and how TAME (Transcatheter Arterial Micro-Embolization) works to address this link.

Why Won't Chronic Pain Heal?

Because the source of pain may be more than just inflammation. Clinically, pain that persists for more than three months with a pain level of 5 or higher on the VAS pain scale is referred to as chronic pain. After muscles, tendons, and joints are injured, repeatedly strained, or degenerated, in addition to local inflammatory responses, abnormally proliferating microvessels may also grow in the area. These blood vessels, accompanied by exposed nerve endings, will continuously release "I am injured" signals.

Conservative treatments like anti-inflammatory drugs and pain patches address the inflammatory response; rehabilitation addresses mobility and muscle strength. However, for the abnormal vascular and neurological structures that have already formed, these methods can hardly act directly on them. This is one of the reasons why some chronic pain recurs repeatedly and why the effects of treatments become increasingly limited.

What Is the Principle of TAME?

TAME (Transcatheter Arterial Micro-Embolization) is a minimally invasive interventional treatment administered through arterial injection. The principle is to deliver embolized particles to the abnormally proliferating microvessels to make them shrink, aiming to reduce the source of pain signals and alleviate the persistent local inflammatory state.

We can imagine it like this: abnormal blood vessels and nerve endings are like a source that continuously sends out pain signals. What TAME does is address this source itself, rather than trying to suppress it after the signal has already been sent out. This is also where it differs from the aspects targeted by anti-inflammatory drugs and rehabilitation; the three are not mutually exclusive or intended to replace one another.

微細血管栓塞術介紹

"Pruning" Abnormal Vessels: Will Normal Vessels Be Affected?

The concept of treatment is to only address the abnormal parts. Standard C-TAME is performed under the guidance of angiographic equipment: physicians use microcatheters to identify abnormally proliferating blood vessels on the image, and selectively deliver embolized particles to the target area. The concept is similar to a gardener pruning a tree, cutting away only the messy and redundant branches while preserving the healthy trunk. After the abnormal vessels shrink, the pain signals and local inflammatory responses released by them are reduced, while normal vessels are preserved.

U-Medical's C-TAME utilizes the GE OEC 3D mobile C-arm with cone-beam CT (3D tomography) function to obtain three-dimensional images of microvessels during the procedure for selective embolization.

Under What Circumstances Is It Suitable to Evaluate TAME?

Three common evaluation prerequisites: Pain persists or recurs for more than three months; conservative treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs, rehabilitation, shockwave therapy, pain patches, or local injections have been tried with limited efficacy; and the level of pain has affected sleep, work, or sports.

Common evaluation sites cover the fingers, toes, wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders, and hip joints. Examples include frozen shoulder, partial rotator cuff tears, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, degenerative knee osteoarthritis, as well as long-term pain caused by post-surgical, major injury, or repetitive strain degeneration. It should be clarified that TAME has specific indications and is not suitable for all chronic pain. It still must be determined by a physician based on medical history, physical examination, and imaging.

微細血管栓塞數適用

For Further Understanding, What Can I Read?

To learn about the differences between C-TAME and the simplified s-TAME, whether hospitalization is required, and the duration of recovery, please refer to 〈C-TAME and s-TAME Microvascular Embolization Frequently Asked Questions〉 on this site; to understand the difference between TAME and long-term steroid pain management, you can refer to 〈What Is the Difference Between TAME Microvascular Embolization and Long-Term Steroid Pain Relief?〉. If your pain has persisted for more than three months and conservative treatments have shown limited results, you can first perform a pre-assessment via LINE, and bring your past imaging data (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound) and treatment records during your visit for the physician to confirm the source of pain and discuss suitable options.

Written by: Dr. Ping-Sheng Lu
Professional Review: Dr. Ping-Sheng Lu 2026/07/25

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and cannot replace a physician's diagnosis and medical advice. The suitability of any treatment must be evaluated and decided by a doctor.

References:

  1. Okuno Y, Korchi AM, Shinjo T, Kato S, Kaneko T. Midterm clinical outcomes and MR imaging changes after transcatheter arterial embolization as a treatment for mild to moderate radiographic knee osteoarthritis resistant to conservative treatment. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2017;28(7):995–1002.(PubMed:28365171)

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Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

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盧炳昇

醫師

Joint Pain Care
Dr.Yu-Ju Lin
Pharmacist Consultation
RPhLing-Chia Ku
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DeanBeam Lu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

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許宏隆

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DeanBeam Lu
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Dr.Chun-Lung Tsou
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Dr.Chuan-Chih Hsu
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DeanBeam Lu
Pharmacist Consultation
RPhLing-Chia Ku
Varicose Vein Care
Dr.Hung-Lung Hsu
Men's Health
Dr.Chun-Yu Lin

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5:30 PM ― 8:30 PM

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許宏隆

醫師

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盧炳昇

醫師

Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

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許傳智

醫師

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許宏隆

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林俊宇

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Pain Specialty Clinic / Endogenous Stem Cell Specialty Clinic: NT$3,000 (includes advanced diagnostic ultrasound, X-ray imaging, physical examination, and a detailed consultation) / Follow-up visit: NT$1,500

Men's Health Clinic: Initial consultation NT$1,500 / follow-up consultation NT$800

Cardiovascular Health Special Clinic: Initial visit NT$1,500 / Follow-up visit NT$800

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for joint pain: initial visit NT$600 / follow-up visit NT$300

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for tech neck, shoulders, and lower back: Initial visit NT$600 / follow-up visit NT$300

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for varicose veins: Initial visit NT$600 / Follow-up visit NT$300

Pharmacist outpatient clinic: Initial visit NT$600 / Follow-up visit NT$300

Notes

Closed all day on Sundays.

Please complete check-in no later than 30 minutes before the clinic closes.

To save your valuable time, please make more use of online booking.

Clinic Hours

Outpatient Schedule

Schedule

Closed on Sundays

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Morning clinic

10:00 — 13:00

Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

疼痛特診

盧炳昇

醫師

Joint Pain Care
Dr.Yu-Ju Lin
Pharmacist Consultation
RPhLing-Chia Ku
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

Afternoon clinic

2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

Endogenous Stem Cell Care
DeanBeam Lu
Neck, Shoulder & Lower Back Pain Care
Dr.Chun-Lung Tsou
Cardiovascular Health
Dr.Chuan-Chih Hsu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pharmacist Consultation
RPhLing-Chia Ku
Varicose Vein Care
Dr.Hung-Lung Hsu
Men's Health
Dr.Chun-Yu Lin

Evening Clinic

5:30 PM ― 8:30 PM

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

疼痛特診

盧炳昇

醫師

Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

疼痛特診

許傳智

醫師

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

疼痛特診

林俊宇

醫師

Outpatient Billing Method

Pain Specialty Clinic / Endogenous Stem Cell Specialty Clinic: NT$3,000 (includes advanced diagnostic ultrasound, X-ray imaging, physical examination, and a detailed consultation) / Follow-up visit: NT$1,500

Men's Health Clinic: Initial consultation NT$1,500 / follow-up consultation NT$800

Cardiovascular Health Special Clinic: Initial visit NT$1,500 / Follow-up visit NT$800

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for joint pain: initial visit NT$600 / follow-up visit NT$300

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for tech neck, shoulders, and lower back: Initial visit NT$600 / follow-up visit NT$300

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for varicose veins: Initial visit NT$600 / Follow-up visit NT$300

Pharmacist outpatient clinic: Initial visit NT$600 / Follow-up visit NT$300

Notes

Closed all day on Sundays.

Please complete check-in no later than 30 minutes before the clinic closes.

To save your valuable time, please make more use of online booking.

Clinic Hours

Outpatient Schedule

Schedule

Closed on Sundays

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Morning clinic

10:00 — 13:00

Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

疼痛特診

盧炳昇

醫師

Joint Pain Care
Dr.Yu-Ju Lin
Pharmacist Consultation
RPhLing-Chia Ku
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

Afternoon clinic

2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

Endogenous Stem Cell Care
DeanBeam Lu
Neck, Shoulder & Lower Back Pain Care
Dr.Chun-Lung Tsou
Cardiovascular Health
Dr.Chuan-Chih Hsu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pharmacist Consultation
RPhLing-Chia Ku
Varicose Vein Care
Dr.Hung-Lung Hsu
Men's Health
Dr.Chun-Yu Lin

Evening Clinic

5:30 PM ― 8:30 PM

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

疼痛特診

盧炳昇

醫師

Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

疼痛特診

許傳智

醫師

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

疼痛特診

林俊宇

醫師

Outpatient Billing Method

Pain Specialty Clinic / Endogenous Stem Cell Specialty Clinic: NT$3,000 (includes advanced diagnostic ultrasound, X-ray imaging, physical examination, and a detailed consultation) / Follow-up visit: NT$1,500

Men's Health Clinic: Initial consultation NT$1,500 / follow-up consultation NT$800

Cardiovascular Health Special Clinic: Initial visit NT$1,500 / Follow-up visit NT$800

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for joint pain: initial visit NT$600 / follow-up visit NT$300

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for tech neck, shoulders, and lower back: Initial visit NT$600 / follow-up visit NT$300

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for varicose veins: Initial visit NT$600 / Follow-up visit NT$300

Pharmacist outpatient clinic: Initial visit NT$600 / Follow-up visit NT$300

Notes

Closed all day on Sundays.

Please complete check-in no later than 30 minutes before the clinic closes.

To save your valuable time, please make more use of online booking.

Clinic Hours

Outpatient Schedule

Swipe left or right to see all

Schedule

Closed on Sundays

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Morning clinic

10:00 — 13:00

Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

疼痛特診

盧炳昇

醫師

Joint Pain Care
Dr.Yu-Ju Lin
Pharmacist Consultation
RPhLing-Chia Ku
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

Afternoon clinic

2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

Endogenous Stem Cell Care
DeanBeam Lu
Neck, Shoulder & Lower Back Pain Care
Dr.Chun-Lung Tsou
Cardiovascular Health
Dr.Chuan-Chih Hsu
Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu
Pharmacist Consultation
RPhLing-Chia Ku
Varicose Vein Care
Dr.Hung-Lung Hsu
Men's Health
Dr.Chun-Yu Lin

Evening Clinic

5:30 PM ― 8:30 PM

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

疼痛特診

盧炳昇

醫師

Pain Management
DeanBeam Lu

疼痛特診

許傳智

醫師

疼痛特診

許宏隆

醫師

疼痛特診

林俊宇

醫師

Outpatient Billing Method

Pain Specialty Clinic / Endogenous Stem Cell Specialty Clinic: NT$3,000 (includes advanced diagnostic ultrasound, X-ray imaging, physical examination, and a detailed consultation) / Follow-up visit: NT$1,500

Men's Health Clinic: Initial consultation NT$1,500 / follow-up consultation NT$800

Cardiovascular Health Special Clinic: Initial visit NT$1,500 / Follow-up visit NT$800

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for joint pain: initial visit NT$600 / follow-up visit NT$300

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for tech neck, shoulders, and lower back: Initial visit NT$600 / follow-up visit NT$300

National Health Insurance outpatient clinic for varicose veins: Initial visit NT$600 / Follow-up visit NT$300

Pharmacist outpatient clinic: Initial visit NT$600 / Follow-up visit NT$300

Notes

Closed all day on Sundays.

Please complete check-in no later than 30 minutes before the clinic closes.

To save your valuable time, please make more use of online booking.

Don't let pain put life on hold

Beamcare Clinic is a "specialty clinic for minimally invasive treatment" and operates by appointment only for specialty consultations, including orthopedics, rehabilitation, cardiology, varicose vein specialty care, neurology, neurosurgery and spine specialty care, men's health specialty care, minimally invasive surgery, and more. With customized treatment plans, we help you get rid of pain and continue living a wonderful life.

Clinic address: 2F-1, No. 40, Section 2, Heping East Road, Da'an District, Taipei City 106

Clinic phone: (02) 2366 0186

© 2025 Beam Medical Clinic All rights reserved

Don't let pain put life on hold

Beamcare Clinic is a "specialty clinic for minimally invasive treatment" and operates by appointment only for specialty consultations, including orthopedics, rehabilitation, cardiology, varicose vein specialty care, neurology, neurosurgery and spine specialty care, men's health specialty care, minimally invasive surgery, and more. With customized treatment plans, we help you get rid of pain and continue living a wonderful life.

Clinic address: 2F-1, No. 40, Section 2, Heping East Road, Da'an District, Taipei City 106

Clinic phone: (02) 2366 0186

© 2025 Beam Medical Clinic All rights reserved

Don't let pain put life on hold

Beamcare Clinic is a "specialty clinic for minimally invasive treatment" and operates by appointment only for specialty consultations, including orthopedics, rehabilitation, cardiology, varicose vein specialty care, neurology, neurosurgery and spine specialty care, men's health specialty care, minimally invasive surgery, and more. With customized treatment plans, we help you get rid of pain and continue living a wonderful life.

Clinic address: 2F-1, No. 40, Section 2, Heping East Road, Da'an District, Taipei City 106

Clinic phone: (02) 2366 0186

© 2025 Beam Medical Clinic All rights reserved

Don't let pain put life on hold

Beamcare Clinic is a "specialty clinic for minimally invasive treatment" and operates by appointment only for specialty consultations, including orthopedics, rehabilitation, cardiology, varicose vein specialty care, neurology, neurosurgery and spine specialty care, men's health specialty care, minimally invasive surgery, and more. With customized treatment plans, we help you get rid of pain and continue living a wonderful life.

Clinic address:
2F-1, No. 40, Sec. 2, Heping E. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan

Clinic phone: (02) 2366 0186

© 2025 Beam Medical Clinic All rights reserved