Objectives : The purpose of this study is to summarize the historical aspects of parabolic reflector moxa and to suggest the applications of light moxibustion in Korean medicine. Results : Getting a fire by parabolic reflector(concave mirror) is well known because of the Olympic torch lighted with a solar reflector in Greece. From anecdotes or myths for Diocles and Archimedes(third century B.C.) a long history has been chronicled in books and films in western culture. However, it has another history in Asian countries since 2,000 years ago. Some reflectors had a tiny size with 6.5 to 10 cm in diameter, 4 mm to 1 cm thickness, and these mobile handheld devices could make us guess that they have been used for multiple purposes. Bronze reflectors were described in Dongeui-bogam, and excavated from the ancient remains of the Shilla and Koryo dynasties. This common firing device was used as a moxibustion device, one of the acupuncture and moxibustion modalities in traditional Korean medicine. Conclusions : Reflector moxa has been used as a light moxibustion to deliver heat energy to acupuncture points, muscles, and skin along meridians. We present a plausible proposal to improve other phototherapy modalities including reflector moxa in Korean medicine practice.

Objectives : Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc is common reason causing back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercise prevent back pain recurrence by strengthening lumbar muscles. Sling Exercise Therapy(SET) is a system for spinal muscle stabilization and strengthening using fixed string and mobile band. The purpose of this study is to investigate and measure the effectiveness of SET and oriental medicine for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods : The subjects for this study are 40 patients suffering from Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc in our clinic. They were measured and compared by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), 4 grades of recovery degree and sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type, times of exercise. Results : In the above index, the score(VAS, 4 grades of recovery degree) improved after treatments. But they make no difference between sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type and times of exercise. Conclusions : These results suggest that SET may be used for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc for pain management and muscle strengthening as an essential treatment regardless of sex, age, period of disease and disc herniation type.

Objectives : In order to confirm the anti-cancer effect of Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid, this study was proceeded. Methods : A549 lung cancer cells were cultured to be treated by Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid as dose dependent manner for 72 hours. And then the cell viability, nucleus fragmentaion, p21 and p53 protein expression, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression, procaspase-3 PARP protein expression. Results : 1. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid decrease A549 cell viability as dose dependent manner. 2. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid induced the nucleus fragmentation in A549 lung cancer cells as dose dependent manner. 3. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid increase the p21 and p53 protein expression. 4. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid decrease the Bcl-2 protein expression but cannot affect the Bax protein expression. 5. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid increase the activation of caspase-3 and PARP protein. Conclusions : As the above results, it was conclused the Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid had the anti-cancer effects to induce apoptosis.

Objective : This paper introduces a unique meridian theory developed by Japanese philosopher Yuasa Yasuo. Method : His meridian theory is well organized in his philosophy, so we systematically review his major works and philosophy from which we systematize his meridian theory. And we critically examine it with current studies. Results and Conclusions : He tried to overcome Cartesian mind-body dualism by Eastern thought and newly developing neurophysiology. He articulated "body scheme" from human information systems, primarily nervous system and meridian system, which regulate physiological functions. It consists of 1st external sensory motor circuit, 2nd circuit of coenesthesis, 3rd emotion-instinct circuit and 4th circuit of unconscious quasi-body. Meridian system is the 4th circuit, through which he thought various affect(emotion) flows. Based on the relationship of emotion-autonomic nervous system- meridian-skin, he tried to confirm the existence of meridian system. His theory illuminates mind-body problem and emotion-meridian relationship in traditional East Asian medicine.

Objectives : To characterize the thermal properties of traditional warm needle and new warm needle with various air flows as an important environmental factor and to suggest the necessity of maintaining suitable environment of clinics to maximize their efficacy. Methods : We measured the temperature characteristics of traditional moxa warm needle and new moxa charcoal warm needle by applying an automatic temperature acquisition system with thermocouples while external various air flows were supplied. Temperatures of two positions at the needle body were measured while a moxa cone burned. Typical temperature characteristics like peak temperature, duration, curve shape and the efficiency of the heat stimuli by heat amount analysis were executed. Results : Both warm needles showed similar temperature curve with an increase in the air flow. Peak temperature and duration of effective heat decreased with the air flow, as shown in indirect moxibustion on garlic. The temperature change pattern by the air flow became more apparent when the total combustion heat was compared with the effective heat. The values from two positions on the needle body were significantly different, showing a distance dependency from the heat source of warm needle acupuncture. Conclusions : Thermal properties of warm needle acupuncture was observed variously with surrounding air flow of 0.0 - 0.7 m/s. It emphasized the importance of environmental control as well as the warm needle itself such as heat source and needle. The latter has already been known to deliver designated heat to subjects. It also indicated the importance of education and skill of the practitioners of warm needle acupuncture.

Objectives : The aim of this study is evaluation for significance of skin meridian-acupoints energy measurement system, and is verification of principle to measure the bio-ion charge on acupoints. Methods : To check a correlation between the MEP(Meridian Energy Potential) and bio-electric charge condition, ten acupoints(left/right BL meridian : BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23) were chosen. Based on basic theory concerning the upward trend of the bio-electric charge by cupping therapy, we measured MEP change before and after 600mmHg(80kPa) Negative pressure stimulation using cupping. Results : We could identify the correlation between MEP and the condition of bio-electric charge in acupoints. Also, we checked the balance or imbalance of left/right the MEP and unusual cases. Conclusions : We confirmed significance of proposed principle and meridian energy measurement system.

Objectives : In the study on the waveform analysis of radial artery pulse diagnosis, we need to establish fundaments of contemporary pulse diagnosis research, and to find the change of pulse waveform parameter with applied variation pf pressure. Methods : As we will to do experimental research on the difference of pulse waveform on the radial artery with applied variations of pressure(5 stage-pressure) and measuring position(left KWAN). In this research, we analyzed the change of the waveform according to five stage pressure. Results : The results were as follows; When we analyzed the change of the waveform according to pressure in the left KWAN, E, hl, h2 and A were the difference between 8ths pressure grades in 95% trust section. And t2, t4 were the difference between 8ths pressure grades in 95% trust section. W was the difference between 8ths pressure grades in 95% trust section. And h2/h1 was the difference between 6ths pressure grades in 95% trust section. There is the difference between 1st and 2nd grade & between 2nd and 5th grade in the case of t4/t2 in 95% trust section. And there is the difference between 1st and 5th grade, between 3rd and 4th grade, between 3rd and 5th grade & between 4th and 5th grade in the case of W/A in 95% trust section. And there is the difference between 1st and 2nd grade, between 2nd and 3rd grade, between 2nd and 4th grade, between 3rd and 4th grade, between 3rd and 5th grade & between 4th and 5th grade in the case of A/E in 95% trust section. Conclusions : We found the statistically resonable differences between each pulse depending on the applied pressure. And Analysing the radial pulse(left KWAN) at 5 applied pressure levels may be useful to study on the pulse waveform diagnosis.

Objective : "HangYak" and "GuGeupBang" were used as a book title in "HangYakGuGeupBang". Therefore we can examine the early years of the medical of HangYak and the medical of first-aid. Methods : We studied the contents and the characteristics of Acupuncture and External treatments which were presented in "HangYakGuGeupBang". We searched the practical meaning of the publishing it too. According to "HangYakGuGeupBang". Results : Acupuncture was performed as a simple external treatment; however moxibustion was used for various symptoms in several ways. In addition, many external treatments such as hot massages, the treatment of bath and dropping lotion in the eyes were introduced in "HangYakGuGeupBang". We believe that these materials were easily gotten around us so people who lived in a poor and remote village without a doctor could apply with ease if they learned these contents. Conclusions : As a result it can say that "HangYakGuGeupBang" was published as a practical book which could be used simply even though people didn't have enough medical knowledge nor examined inside and outside-heat and cold.

목적 : 이 연구는 서로 다른 두 경혈이 심박변이도에 미치는 영향을 비교하고, 자율신경계에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위해 수행하였다. 재료 및 방법 : 13명의 지원자가 3개의 세션에 균등하게 무작위 배정되었다. 각 세션에서 지원자들은 신맥(BL62), 조해(KI6), 또는 비경혈에 각각 침처치를 받았다. 10분간 휴식을 한 후에 자침 전, 유침기간, 발침 후 기간에 5분 동안 심박변이도 측정을 하였다. 유침기간에는 2분 간격을 두고 2회 심박변이도를 측정하였다. 결과 : 신맥에 자침한 군에서는 자침후 기간에 total power(TP)와 standard deviation N-N interval(SDNN)이 유의하게 증가하였다. 유침기간 중 첫 5분 동안의 TP와 SDNN은 자침전 값과 유의한 차이가 없었으며 유침기간 중 마지막 5분 동안에는 다소 증가하는 경향은 있었지만 통계적인 유의성은 없었다. 반면에 조해와 비경혈에 자침한 군에서는 TP와 SDNN에 유의한 변화가 관찰되지 않았다. 발침 후에 신맥자침군에서는 조해와 비경혈 자극군과 비교해서 TP가 유의하게 변화하였다. 그러나 SDNN은 발침 후에 세 군 사이에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결론 : 이 실험 결과는 조해와 비교했을 때 신맥에 자침한 경우 심장 기능 및 자율신경계와 관련이 있는 대체적인 활성이 증가한다는 것을 보여주었다. 이 결과는 신맥 자침이 자율신경계와 관계되어 있는 심장의 기능에 미치는 영향을 통해서 경혈의 특이성을 관찰할 수 있음을 의미한다.

Objective : To examine whether any correlation between tendency towards depression and tenderness at special acupuncture points exists, thus to explore the potential diagnostic property of acupuncture points. Methods : A total 31 subjects were included in this study. They filled out questionnaires about their mental [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Profile of Mood States (POMS)] and physical (fatigue due to overexertion, and food accumulation) symptoms. Identical weight around Alarm points (CV17, CV12, ST25, CV5, CV4, and LR13) and transport points (BL14, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL25, and BL27) was given using an algometer and the subjects rated their pain on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also measured. Results : The subjects were divided into two groups, normal and depressive tendency groups with a cut-off point of nine on BDI. The depressive tendency group reported significantly higher values in SRI, POMS, and questionnaire for fatigue due to overexertion. In the pressure pain measurement, depressive tendency group had more pressure pain at CV12, left side of BL20, BL14, BL22 and both sides of BL21, BL25, BL27, significantly (each p<0.05). The data of HRV did not show significant differences between groups. Conclusions : People with a tendency towards depression may be prone to stress, negative mood, and fatigue due to overexertion. In addition, they may be more likely to develop tenderness at alarm points and transport points compared with healthy people. Further research is needed to confirm this finding.

Objectives : The acupoint-meridian relationship of an acupoint is one of important features of the acupoint. It has also shown evolutionary development over the history of medicine. This study analyzed the prototype kind of information on acupoint-meridian relationships in the A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion(the Classic) of 2c BCE. Methods : The acupoint-meridian relationship of all the acupoints listed in the Classic was counted and reviewed in comparison with the information in the contemporary standard texts. Results : In comparison with the contemporary standard of 361 meridian points, the Classic listed 349(97%) acupoints. Of contemporary standard 361 points, 287(81%) acupoints still maintain the same acupoint-meridian relationship as in the Classic. Conclusions : Acupoint-meridian relationship in the Classic has largely been maintained throughout the history and still comprises a major proportion of the contemporary body of knowledge on acupoint-meridian relationship.

Objectives : Polymyositis is non-hereditary, autoimmune rheumatic disease, and one of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. It is characterized by progressive symmetrical proximal muscle weakness. Major clinical signs and symptoms of polymyositis are chronic non-suppurative inflammatation of skeletal muscle, elevation of muscle enzyme, and electromyographical changes. By use of Korean medicine treatments, muscle weakness and normalize muscle enzyme can be improved in case of polymyositis. Methods : A Patient, 32 years old, whom diagnosed with polymyositis on muscle biopsy and electromyographical changes, had medical treatments with Corticosteroids and Immunosuppressants, but no improvement was noted. She was treated with Korean Medicine, especially Ohaeng-Hwa Acupuncture(五行和 鍼法) and Ssanghwa-Tang(雙和湯) for three months period. Results : With Korean Medicine treatment of polymyositis for three months, most of her clinical signs and symptoms have been improved significantly, especially her muscle weakness and muscle enzyme level. Conclusion : This case has been reported to show that Korean medicine treatments have positive effects on polymyositis.