• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.93-103
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of ultra sound (U/S) and chuna on lumbago by meridian muscle electrography (MMEG). we performed U/S and chuna on erector spinae muscle. Methods This study was carried out on 20 lumbago patients. 20 patients were divided into U/S group and chuna group. U/S group take treatment 5 minutes. Chuna group take treatment 10 minutes. After performing U/S and chuna treatment 6 times, we compared both in terms of VAS, ODI, ROM, root mean square (RMS) and special edge frequency (SEF) on erector spinae muscle. The effect of each treatments are compared by Wilcoxon's signed rank test. The difference of effect between both groups are compared by Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. Results 1. Both U/S group and chuna group showed significant improvement in VAS and ODI after treatment. 2. U/S group showed insignificant improvement in both RMS and SEF. 3. Chuna group showed significant improvement in SEF at left lower point and RMS at left upper point. 4. Both U/S group and chuna group showed insignificant improvement in ROM. 5. There are no significant differences between both groups except SEF at left upper point. Conclusions According to above results, we found out that performing U/S or chuna on erector spinae muscle has effect in terms of VAS and ODI. But, in terms of SEF, we found out different result for both side. And we can't found out effect in terms of RMS and ROM of L-spine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2016

Objectives : A previous study demonstrated that the connecting points of three yang meridians attenuated changes of nNOS, and Norepinephrine(NE) in rats. The current study investigated the changes in nNOS, NO and NE upon the needle insertion at varying depths at the connecting point of three yin meridians of the hand. Methods : Needles were inserted into rats, on both left and right sides of the connecting point, including the LU7, HT5 and PC6 acupoints which are three yin meridians of the hand. After insertion, needles were retained for five minutes. Each acupuncture groups were treated acupuncture at each acupoint and at the depths of superficial, middle and deep layer. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture, and tissues of each point near meridian vessel was extracted to examine the changes in the expression of nNOS, NO and NE. Results : Compared with the superficial layer group, nNOS production significantly decreased in the middle and deep layer at LU7 acupoint group and in the deep layer at HT5, PC6 acupoint group. The tissue NE decreased in the deep layer on PC6 acupoint and the plasma NE increased at the middle layer at LU7 acupoint group but decreased at the deep layer on at LU7 acupoint group. Conclusions : Acupuncture at connecting points of three yin meridians of the hand can regulate the activities of nNOS, and NE.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.105-117
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• 2008

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effect of five element constitutional acupuncture(Sa-am acupuncture) therapy at acupoints on the Yin meridians on obese rats(Sprague Dawley strain, male) induced by high fat diet. Methods : The control and acupuncture groups were provided with high fat diet, and the acupuncture groups were treated with five element constitutional acupuncture(Sa-am acupuncture) every other day for five weeks. We observed the body weight gain, food intake, riglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, AST, and ALT. Result : The acupuncture group treated with five element acupuncture on the meridians of spleen, heart, pericardium showed significant decrease of body weight, the groups treated on the meridians of lung, heart, pericardium showed signigicant decrease of food intake. Concentration of HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased in the groups treated on the meridians of spleen, heart, pericardium, liver. Conclusion : Reviewing these experimental results, it appears that the five element constitutional acupuncture(Sa-am acupuncture) therapy at acupoints on the meridians of spleen, heart and pericardium have an efficacy on obesity induced by high fat diet.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.75-89
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• 2009

Objectives: Warm needling combines simultaneously the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. This study was to investigate whether warm needling could relieve acute knee arthritis induced by carrageenan in rats. Methods: To illuminate the underlying mechanisms of the warm needling-induced antinociception, weight bearing force (WBF) was observed on the acute knee arthritic rat model. Under general anesthesia, ST36, SP9, Hakjung extra point, LI4 were punctured and stimulated with 30 mg moxa ball combustion on top of the needle (${\emptyset}0.18{\times}8mm$). Results: In behavioral test, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb 3 hours after the induction of arthritis. Warm needling on the contralateral or ipsilateral ST36 failed to show antinociceptive effect on the acute knee arthritis. Warm needling on the contralateral SP9 or LI4 increased WBF values to normal level in the acute stage of the arthritis. Warm needling on the Hakjung extra-point resulted in the significant antinociceptive effects through acute stage. These effects of warm needling were suppressed by opioids receptor antagonist naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and alpha adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Conclusion: The data suggest that warm needling-induced antinociception is differently mediated by acupoints and accomplished by activating the descending inhibitory systems including endogenous opioids and $\alpha$-adrenoceptors.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.39-51
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• 2009

목적 : 신맥 혈위 자극이 뇌활성화 변화에 미치는 영향에 있어 자침 시술자간의 재현성을 fMRI 영상을 통해 평가하고자 하였다. 방법 : 본 연구는 건강한 성인 남자 15명을 대상으로 실시하였으며, 15명의 피험자 중 7명은 각각 2회 방문하였으며, 두 시술자에 의해 침을 맞고 총 4개의 데이터를 얻었다. 나머지 8명은 1회 방문하여 두 시술자에게 침을 맞아 2개씩의 데이터를 얻어 총 44개의 fMRI 데이터를 얻었다. 실험자간의 차이를 줄이기 위해 자침의 깊이와 회전, 강도 등을 동일하게 하였으며, 우측 신맥혈에 자침하였다. 침에 의해 활성화되는 영역을 확인하기 위해 블록디자인을 사용하여 fMRI를 촬영하였다. 결과 : 다른 날에 실시한 같은 시술자내의 재현성은 24 %, 같은 날 실시한 다른 시술자간의 재현성은 64 % 로, 다른 시술자간의 재현성이 서로 다른 날 실시한 같은 시술자내의 재현성보다 높게 나타났다. 결론 : 침을 이용한 fMRI의 실험에서 시술자에 의한 차이 외에도 실험하는 날짜의 차이, 피험자 인체의 생리적인 변화 등에 의한 차이가 크다는 것을 본 실험을 통하여 확인하였다. 그리고 자침의 깊이와 회전, 자극의강도 등을 동일하게 함으로써 다른 시술자간의 재현성을 높일 수 있다는 것을 확인했다. 추후 침실험에 있어서 여러 변수들에 의한 차이를 극복하고 재현성을 높일 수 있는 방법에 관한 더욱 심도 있는 연구가 필요하다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2018

Objectives : The GB18 belongs to one of the 92 controversial points in the development of WHO standard of acupuncture point location. The number of Chon measurement of GB18 is described differently in the A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ChimGuGakEulKyung; AB Classic) and the Complete Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion(ChimGuDaeSeong; Complete Compendium). The aim of the study is to review the point location of GB18 and compare the relation of the location of BL7. In addition, I would like to propose new locating method of GB18. Methods : In order to review I examined the expressions of the location of GB18 and the mapping location on the acupuncture chart in the landmark classic acupuncture literatures. Results : In the most literatures, the location of GB18 was described by the distance from the GB17. The distance was 1.5 chon with one exception of 1 chon. The intervals from GB15 to GB18 was 1 chon or 1.5 chon. Although the distance from the anterior hairline is the same as 4 chon, mapping points of GB18 and BL7 on the acupuncture chart were different. Conclusions : Consequently, in the AB Classic, meaning of the location is the actual distance of scalp surface. In the Complete Compendium, however, meaning of the location is the hypothetical distance in the imaginary scalp surface. Therefore, it is safe to find the GB18 on the same level with GV20 on the connecting line of bilateral auricular apexes. The relation of GB18 and BL7 should be reconsidered.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze public and researcher interests in suicide and related illnesses and acupuncture and acupressure treatment using Google Trends and some electronic databases. Methods: Search results for keywords "suicide," "acupuncture," "acupressure," and several illnesses related to suicide were analyzed in Google Trends from January 2004 to June 2023. Illnesses included anxiety, depression (including major depressive disorder), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorder (including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa), substance use disorder, autism spectrum disorder, personality disorder (including borderline person- ality disorder), and chronic pain. Search results were extracted using relative search volume (RSV) scores between 0 and 100. Search terms were also searched in online databases, including PubMed, CNKI, and OASIS, to estimate the number of related studies, and descriptive analysis was conducted. Results: Google Trends analysis showed a strong positive correlation between the RSVs of "suicide and depression," "acupuncture and chronic pain," and "acupressure and PTSD." The electronic database search results produced numerous studies published on "suicide and depression," "acupuncture and depression," and "acupressure and anxiety." High interest in "suicide and depression," "acupuncture and chronic pain," and "acupressure and anxiety" was seen among the public and researchers. Interest in "suicide and chronic pain," "acupuncture and eating disorder," and "acupressure and PTSD" was higher in the public than among researchers, while "anxiety and suicide" and "anxiety and acu- puncture" showed opposite trends. Conclusions: The results of this research enable an understanding of public and researcher interest in suicide, acupuncture, acupressure, and suicide-related illnesses. The results also provide a basis for fu- ture research and examining public health implications in Korean medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.87-101
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• 2023

Objectives: Many acupuncture points have been suggested for the treatment of Bell's palsy, but information on which acupuncture points are more important in treatment is not provided. This study was conducted to investigate the importance of acupuncture points currently used clinically in Bell's palsy. Methods: By reviewing the full text of 11 books that recorded acupuncture prescriptions from the Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, the frequency of use of acupuncture points, their meridians, and their location were investigated. Results: The average number of acupuncture points used for local, adjacent and distal points selection was 10.5, 2, 4 respectively. The number of acupuncture points increased from the Qin Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty 《Bojaebang》 and then decreased, but the proportion of local points has been still high. From the Ming Dynasty, ST4, ST6, GV26, and GV24 were mainly have been used as the local points. Except for the GB12, the use of the rest of the acupuncture points gradually decreased in the adjacent points. In the distal acupuncture points, it was summarized to point of lung and large intestine channel until the Ming Dynasty, and LI4 was mainly used in the Qing Dynasty. Yangming meridian has been most often used at the local and distal area except for the adjacent area. Conclusions: In the treatment of facial paralysis, the lower part of the face had the highest proportion among local acupuncture points, and the Yangming had the highest proportion by meridian.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.167-184
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• 2023

Objectives This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of ultrasound therapy at the ST11 for regulation of sympathetic hyperactivity. Methods Forty healthy adult subjects were assigned to experimental group and control group. After taking mental stress, ultrasound therapy was applied at the ST11 in experimental group and sham-ultrasound therapy was applied in control group. The evaluation of sympathetic activity was measured by blood pressure, pulse rate, and heart rate variability at 3 times (Time 1: before the stress stimulation, Time 2: after the stress stimulation, Time 3: after the intervention). The primary end point was consisted of normalized (norm) low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) ratio, LF (norm), HF (norm). The secondary end point was consisted of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, mean heart rate, standard deviation of NN intervals, root mean square of the successive differences, total power (log). Results After the stress stimulation, all subjects showed sympathetic hyperactivity. After the intervention, the experimental group showed lower sympathetic activity than the control group. Comparing the Time 3 and Time 1, the experimental group showed no significantly differences in sympathetic activity while the control group showed higher sympathetic activity in Time 3 than Time 1. Comparing the Time 3 and Time 2, the experimental group showed lower sympathetic activity in Time 3 than Time 2 while the control group showed higher sympathetic activity in Time 3 than Time 2. Conclusions We suggest that the ultrasound therapy at ST11 can decrease sympathetic activity in sympathetic hyperactivity condition.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2 s.30
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• pp.134-148
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• 1995

Dysmenorrhea is probably the most common of all Gynecologic disorders. In the oriental medicine the etiology of Dysmenorrhea is very various, but its mechanism is just that the block of the flow makes the pain. So its treatment is removing the pain by promoting menstrual flow, promoting the flow of qi and by warming channel and activating blood flow. In the various treatments of dysmenorrhea, the method of applying drug at the acupoints which could be combined with feeding herb-medicine by oral was studied. The results obtained here were as follows; 1. In the treatments of dysmenorrhea, the method of applying drug at the acupoints was mainly applied to the type dued to stagnancy of qi and blood stasis, menorrhalgia dued to to cold and dampness, and primary dysmenorrhea. 2. The acupoint used in this treatment was Shin-gwol$(CV_8)$, the umbilicus. 3. The drugs used in this treatment were almost same as oral herb-medicine mainly to activate the blood flow and remove the blood stasis and to promote the flow of qi by warming the channel and remove the pain. 4. The duration of the treatment is, from 3 days before menstration till its period or a few days after it., usually concentrated on fore-postmenstration. 5. The effect of this treatment was reported as excellent. It is more effective to the type of stagnancy of qi and blood stasis, cold and dampness than dued to deficiency of both qi and blood, and dued to the impaired liver-kidney essence. 6. The method of applying drug at the acupoint was as an external treatment, easy, economical, and had no pain and side effect. 7. In the treatments of dysmenorrhea, the method of applying drug at the acupoint could be used as emergency treatment and symptomatic treatment in fore-postmenstration.