• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to report the effect in treating a patient with a case of avulsion fracture of the proximal 5th metatarsal with a combination of Korean medicine therapy. We treated the patient with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and herbal medicine The numeric rating scale, X-ray were applied as outcome measures. After complex Korean medicine treatment, this patient's avulsion fracture of the proximal 5th metatarsal was improved and pain was reduced. This result shows that Korean medical therapy may be an effective option for avulsion fracture of the proximal 5th metatarsal.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2024

Objectives This study aims to report current status and strategies of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) on face through survey of Korean medicine doctors. Methods The survey was conducted online via e-mail to certified Korean medicine doctors. The questionnaire is developed by Korean medicine doctors in Kyung-Hee Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong. The survey mainly consisted with multiple-choice questions on the current status, cost, and adverse reactions. Results TEA was predominantly utilized for cosmetic purposes, and the billing cost was commonly determined based on the number of threads used. The reported incidence of adverse reactions during TEA was 69.9%. The most frequent self-resolving adverse reaction was bruising, while the most common adverse reaction requiring medical intervention or resulting in sequelae was the 'dimple phenomenon'. According to the questionnaire, the primary factor associated with adverse reactions was the treatment area. Conclusions This study provided insights into the practical use of TEA on face in Korean medical clinic.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.74-85
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• 2021

Ultrasound (US) can depict of various anatomical structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerve roots, and vessels, around the neck. The usage of US around the neck is increasing due to its quick and easy application for guided injection for nerves, tendons, and joints. This article elaborates the degenerative diseases causing neck pain, sonoanatomy, and the use of US for diagnosis and intervention; for example, small nerves around the neck, cervical root, stellate ganglion, medial branches, greater occipital nerve (GON), and third occipital nerve (TON). The aim of this review article is to lead readers to understand the anatomy around the neck and structural relations, and to get to know about several US-guided intervention of the neck.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.73-89
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• 2021

Objectives We conducted an online survey to understand the current status of Korean Medicine clinical practice related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to develop the CTS Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). Methods A thoroughly reviewed questionnaire was distributed by e-mail to 21,719 Korean Medicine doctors between March 26 and April 30, 2021. All raw data were arranged and analyzed systematically. Results The response rate among the doctors was 4%. Of the respondents, 82.1% responded that it is necessary to develop the CTS Korean Medicine CPG. We also obtained data related to the specific diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis management methods used at various treatment sites for patients with CTS. Conclusions This online survey will be helpful in developing the CTS CPG, which will contribute to the standardization of guidelines and improvements in the reliability of Korean Medicine. Our findings will provide valuable data and resources for future clinical studies on CTS.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.138-148
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Bangpungtongseong-san (Fangfengtongsheng-san, BTS) and Daesiho-tang (Dachaihu-tang, DST) on weight loss and improvement in lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, we intend to develop a prediction model for drug effects through the analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), gut-microbiota, and the expression of immune-related biomarkers. Methods: This study is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-design clinical trial. One hundred twenty-eight participants will be assigned to the BTS group (n=64) and DST group (n=64). Both groups will be administered 4 g medication three times a day for up to 2 weeks. The primary outcomes is weight loss. The secondary outcomes include bioelectrical impedance analysis, waist circumstance, body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, insulin resistance. The exploratory outcomes include 3-day dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire, quality of life questionnaire, gut microbiota analysis, immune biomarkers analysis, and SNP analysis. Assessment will be made at baseline and at week 4, 8, and 12. Conclusions: This protocol will be implemented by approval of the Institutional Review Board of Dongguk University. The results of this trial will provide a systematic evidence for the treatment of obesity and enable more precise herbal medicine prescriptions.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.107-117
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• 2024

The objective of this study is to report the clinical effects of applying an integrated rehabilitation protocol to four patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries. The treatments applied included acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion, chuna manual therapy, functional electrical stimulation, and other physical therapies. The evaluation methods included American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale, functional independence measure (FIM), modified Barthel index (MBI), numeric rating scale (NRS) and other scales. All patients presented marked improvements in FIM, MBI, NRS and other scales, along with increased muscle strength in the manual muscle test. The application of our protocol resulted in clear clinical benefits and enhanced the recovery and quality of life for the patients in this study.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2022

Objectives We aimed to characterize the results obtained from Korean medical examinations and questionnaires on the quality of sleep. Methods The quality of sleep was measured using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index in 400 subjects. Afterwards, heart rate variability (HRV) measurements were done, along with the analyses for tongue color, teeth marks, and tongue coating through the tongue diagnosis system. A questionnaire about body's heat, cold and sweating conditions, and the perceived stress scale (PSS) were performed. Finally, correlations between all these indicators and the sleep quality were analyzed. Results As the quality of sleep decreased, the sympathetic nervous system was stimulated. The subjects who had the blue-purple colored tongue experienced decreased quality of sleep. The quality of sleep was also deteriorated in the subjects who usually feel cold and hot easily, sweat a lot, and feel a lot of discomfort. According to the PSS questionnaire, the higher the stress level is, the lower was the quality of sleep. Conclusions We obtained meaningful results by comprehensively analyzing the sleep quality, HRV, tongue diagnosis, heat and cold conditions, sweating, and stress conditions. In particular, the sleep quality had a significant correlation with the rest of the indicators.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.159-163
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• 2018

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) after trauma and general orthopedic surgery is rare. A 74-year-old woman showed ascending paralysis symmetrically, dysarthria, dysphagia and areflexia on 14 days after minimally invasive endoscopic thermoannuloplasty on L4-5 level. Brain and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging demonstrate no abnormal findings. The electrodiagnostic study showed prolonged distal motor, sensory latencies and F-wave latencies and reduced amplitude of compound muscle action potential in nerves of upper and lower extremities. In the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, total protein and IgG were increased. We diagnosed Guillain-Barre Syndrome based on clinical features, electrodiagnostic study and CSF examination and the patient improved symptoms after immunoglobulin injection and rehabilitation. Because the occurrence of GBS after minimally invasive procedure has not been reported, we report a case of GBS after minimally invasive procedure with literature review.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2019

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of high-voltage microcurrent therapy in patients with herniated lumbar disc (HLD) presenting radicular or back pain. Method: This is a retrospective study with 33 patients who are complaining pain with HLD findings on magnetic resonance image. Microcurrent therapy was applied to leg or paralumbar area. Treatment was conducted for seven minutes with 250~1000 uA intensity as high as the patients could tolerate via stimulating probe with roller type and the frequency was 60 Hz with a sine wave pulse. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was measured just before and after the treatment. Results: The degree of pain reduction (△VAS) was 1.6 points after treatment on average. The △VAS according to the diagnosis, stenosis, dermatome area, medication, pain site and caudal epidural block was not statistically significant. However, the △VAS according to the number of treatments (< 3, ≥ 3 times) showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.04). Conclusion: High-voltage microcurrent therapy may help reduce lumbar or lumbosacral radiating pain after the procedure. The effect was better when microcurrent was applied three times or more. This result suggests that the microcurrent would have cumulative effect on reducing radicular or back pain in patients with HLD.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.36-39
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• 2019

Chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) is a major complication after inguinal herniorrhaphy. We report the treatment of CPIP using ultrasonography-combined with nerve stimulator for injection of the genitofemoral nerve (GFN). A 59-year-old man underwent laparoscopic herniorrhaphy and presented with numbness from the inguinal region to the scrotum after operation. In the pain clinic, ultrasonography-guided GFN block and pharmacological treatments had little effect. Six month after operation, patient was referred to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and ultrasonography-combined with nerve stimulator for GFN injection underwent to enhance the accuracy of neural approach. The induction of scrotal contraction and paresthesia on the GFN distribution was monitored by nerve stimulator and local anesthetic was injected. After the block, pain relief lasted for 6 months without analgesic use. Ultrasonography-combined with nerve stimulator is an effective approach to treat CPIP as it enhances precise localization and injection of small peripheral nerve like GFN.