• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.45-77
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• 2009

Background : Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) devides the human body into eight constitutions. Up until now, checking the pulse types is only way to classify the eight constitution. Recently we try to make a questionnaire that is based on the Eight-Constitution characters and analyze the answer from patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy Objective : This study intends to analyze each answer of the Eight-Constitution Questionnaire with independent sample t-test. Methods: Participants of this study were outpatients in ECM clinics located in Korea. The resources were collected from 925 patients who were classified into one of the eight constitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. SPSS 13.0 for Windows was used for independent sample t-test. Results and Conclusions: 1. The proportion of participants' constitutions is in the order of Pancreotonia (28.0%), Colonotonia (17.3%), Pulmotonia (18.1%), Hepatonia (18.1%), Vesicotonia (8.5%), Cholecystotonia (7.0%), Renotonia (2.6%) and Gastrotonia (0.4%). 2. Eight-Constitution Questionnaire consists of 5 parts; Appearance, Character, Body reaction, Physiology & Pathology and Food reaction. 3. 44 items were chosen among 128 question about Body reaction, Physiology & Pathology and Food reaction. 4. Due to the deficiency of Gastrotonia examples, useful items have to be given up. If we can gather Gastrotonia examples, we can use meaningful items more than 44.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 2006

Objectives: Although Korean Acupuncture (KA) in Korean Medicine (KM) shares its origins with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it has made its own contribution to the field of acupuncture and general medicine. This study reviews characteristics of KA. Methods: Representative theories of KA were reviewed in light of a constitutionally individualized and practically integrated approach. Individualized approach in KA is based on constitutional energy traits recognized in Saam, Taegeuk, and Eight Constitution acupuncture theories. New practically integrated therapeutic modalities, such as herbal, and bee venom acupunctures, have also been developed in KA. Results: As a form of natural medicine, KA along with KM put emphasis on the vitality and self-correcting mechanism of an individual, which led to the refinement of constitutional approach. KA along with KM theories features a summarized understanding and practical application of integrated therapeutics, which produced creative development of new modalities. Conclusions: KA is expected to make significant contributions to the individualized and practical medicine, based on basic research and clinical trials.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.105-129
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to obtain basic data about the effects of Constitution-Acupuncture (CA) based on Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) by the expert CA Oriental Medical Doctors. Methods: The resources were collected from the internet survey method. 35 samples were collected. The SPSS 13.0 for windows and Answer Tree 3.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The results from this research are as follow. 1. The motivation that apply ECM to clinic are 'Because ECM is effective for diagnosis, treatment and prevention against disease' 48.6% and 'Because CA therapy is effective' 25.7%. 2. The advantage that CA therapy compare to the other acupuncture therapy are 'Management and prevention against disease are available by ECM theory to a person who exact constitution is confirmed' 82.9%, 'CA therapy is superior in treatment of hard symptoms to treat by the other acupuncture therapy' 80%, 'Treatment effect is good' 77.1%, 'Needle manipulation of CA is simple comparatively' 57.1%, 'It is definite whether treatment effect is good or not' 54.3% and CA therapy is superior all in diseases of twelve category. 3. When the effects of CA is good, patients expressed much 'Eyesight lightened', 'Took deep sleep at night', 'Fatigue decreased', 'Body is light', 'Feelings became refreshing' as well as 'Symptoms were improved' and also physicians confirmed as those reactions whether treatment is effective. Conclusions: The research suggest that CA is effective therapy in clinic, and so further study is needed for CA therapy.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.10-23
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• 2000

Four-constitutional theory proposed by Dr. Lee, Je-ma has been evolve for last 100years by his followers. One of the major progresses was the emergence of constitutional acupuncture proposed by Dr. Kwan Doh-won. Constitutional acupuncture included the new pulse diagnostic method to determine the body type, pulse diagrams and corresponding acupuncture method called five element acupuncture in which five-element points in 12 meridian channels are used. Dr. Sa-ahm proposed five-element acupuncture three and a half hundred years age. Conjunction of Dr Lee's theory to Dr. Kwan proposed eight constitutions with eight pulse diagrams. He also adopted eight acupuncture prescriptions out of twenty-four Sa-ahm's acupuncture prescriptions. The author, Dr. Yom Tae-hwa, proposed more inclusive theory of 24 constitutions with 24 diagnostic pulse diagrams in Las Vegas International Acupuncture Convention in 1986. This article reviews history of constitutional medicine briefly. Each step of theoretical evolution from four-constitutional theory to twenty-four-constitutional theory is explained. By understanding the theoretical connection between twelve meridian channels based on five-element theory and four-constitutional theory in the article, one will easily accept the emergence of twelve of twenty four constitutional theory. Next, the article is focused on four subcategories under Sao-Yin constitution, which are one-sixth of 24 constitution. in this section classification, pulse diagnostic method, pulse diagram acupuncture prescriptions and herbal prescriptions are explained in detail. Then, clinical trial reports of acupuncture treatment and/or herbal formulas for such constitutions are attached for the rest part of the article. the purpose of this paper is to present the new hypothesis with the result of preliminary clinical trial hoping that additional clinical reports from other practitioners in this field triggers well-designed clinical study in future.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.27-44
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• 2007

Background: Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) classifies the human body into eight constitutions. Diagnosis of discrimination of the eight constitutions depends on a unique pulse diagnosis. However, pulse diagnosis is subjective and requires vigorous training. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the validity and reliability of the Eight-Constitution Questionnaire as a diagnostic method. Methods: Participants of this study were outpatients in six ECM clinics located in Seoul. The resources were collected from 409 patients who were classified into one of the eightconstitutions according to their pulse types and their responses to constitution-acupuncture therapy. SPSS 13.0 for Windows was used for statistical analysis: factor analysis, reliability analysis, independent sample t-test, and multinomial logistic regression were used to verify the results. Results and Conclusions: 1. The proportion of participants' constitutions is in the order of Pancreotonia (23.7%), Colonotonia (19.8%), Pulmotonia (18.1%), Hepatonia (16.9%), Vesicotonia (8.1%), Cholecystotonia (7.3%), Renotonia (5.3%) and Gastrotonia (0.7%). 2. Sevencomponents and 74 items were selected through factor factor and relaibility analysis performed on about 251 items. 3. The firstcomponent's mean is significantly higher in Pancreotonia than that in other constitutions (p<0.05). The second is in Pulmotonia and Colonotonia, whereas the third is in Hepatonia and Cholecystotonia. Fifth is in Vesicotonia, the sixth is in Colonotonia, and the fourth and seventh are not significant in specific constitutions. 4. The percentage that Pancreotonia is correctly predicted is 96.9%, Pulmotonia is 91.9%, Colonotonia is 91.4%, Hepatonia is 88.4%, Vesicotonia is 81.8%, Gastrotonia is 66.7%, Renotonia is 66.7%, Choleeystotonia is 30.0%, and the total percentage is 85.3%.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.131-134
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the relationship between Sasang Constitution and length of chest and abdomen region. Methods : Forty eight participants were enrolled. Weight, height, and lengths from CV22 to CV16, from CV16 to CV8, and from CV8 to CV2 were measured. Ratios of last three lengths to total CV22 to CV2 were calculated respectively. On the other hand, Sasang Constitution was analyzed with QSCCII(Questionnaire of Sasang Constitutional Classification II). The analysis of relationship between the measurements and Sasang Constitution was carried out with SPSS to compare the mean values according to Sasang Constitution. Results : All the mean values were not significantly different depending on the Sasang Constitution, except the ratio of the length from CV16 to CV8 to the length from CV22 to CV2, only in female participants. The ratio was higher in the female Soeumin participants than any other constitutional groups. Conclusions : This result showed that Soeumin could be assumed that they might have weak digestion abilities.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2014

Subject : Kim hong-kyung(金洪卿)'s view of eight extra meridians Object : Kim hong-kyung has not only deeply studied Saam acupuncture but also the function and characteristics of extra meridian at the same time. Especially, he has tried the study to connect yin yang wei qiao mai(陰陽維蹻脈) with Lee je-ma(李濟馬)'s four trigram constitution theory, therefore the author felt the need to make public the theory and started reserch on the theory. Method : I researched the physiological properties of extra meridians through the past eastern medical literature, I reported on the types of people to show well the properties of extra meridians gathering Kum-oh's verbal explanation when I had classes from him. Result : Kum-oh Kim hong-kyung defined meridians as passways of consciousness and feeling, he interpreted 12 meridians and extra meridians with the view of mind, which has very important meanings in the history of acupuncture in the point of first trial to interpret meridians from this view. He explained Ren mai(任脈) and Du mai(督脈) are meridians which show clearly properties of yin-yang to appear trusts of affirmation and distrusts of denial in the mind, as Ren(任) means entrusting and Du(督) means supervising in English. He explained Chong mai(衝脈) is the meridian representing impulsive man that has a meaning of impulse as being suggested the name of Chong mai, because Chong mai is borrowed from Foot shao yin kidney meridian(足少陰腎經). Dai mai(帶脈) is the meridian representing the characteristics of woman that has a meaning of binding as being suggested from the name of Dai mai which acts when people have something on their flank or they are pregnant, because Dai mai borrowed from Foot shao yang gall bladder meridian. He thought that four trigram divided from yin and yang is innate trigram, so Yang wei mai(陽維脈), Yin wei mai(陰維脈), Yang qiao mai(陽蹻脈), Yin qiao mai(陰蹻脈) among extra meridians have connections with Tai-yang ren(太陽人), Tai-yin ren(太陰人), Shao-yin ren(少陰人), Shao-yang ren(少陽人) of Four trigram constitution theory respectively which was created by Lee je-ma. He explained yang means opponents and wei(維) means binding. Yang wei mai is the meridian to be active when opponents bind or intervene in you, also the meridian is well active to the people who easily criticize others who are rude, to the people who well refuse restraints from organization. Because he explained yin means me and wei(維) means binding. Yin wei mai is the meridian to be active when I bind and intervene in opponents. He also state that the meridian is easily active to the people who have a tendency to gather people and make party apparatus by nature. He explained Yang qiao mai is the meridian to be active in the situation that people are waiting for others to bridge gap because yang means opponents and qiao(蹻) which has a meaning of standing on one's tiptoes means bridging gap between people. He also state the meridian is easily active to Shao yin ren who has a tendency to be passive, to easily settle down and not to move by nature. He explained Yin qiao mai is the meridian to be active in the situation that I bridge gap between me and others to make friends, because yin means me and qiao(蹻) which has a meaning of standing on one's tiptoes means bridging gap between me and others. He also state the meridian is easily active to Shao yang ren who is active in every business and who has remarkable ability to make friends. Conclusion : Kim hong-kyung stated the physiological properties of extra meridians as below. Ren mai is the meridian representing positive confidence which is easily active when people have a mind to trust others, Du mai is the meridian representing negative distrust which is easily active when people have doubts. Chong mai is the meridian representing the characteristics of man that has impulsive characteristics. Dai mai is the meridian representing the characteristics of woman to be easily active when she is pregnant. Yang wei mai has close connections with Tai-yang ren who has a tendency to refuse restraints from others and to criticize on opponent's remarks and behaviors that are wrong. Yin wei mai has close connections with Tai-yin ren, as the meridian is active in the situation that people enjoy restraining and intervening in others. Yang qiao mai has close connections with Shao yin ren, as the meridian is active to the people who are negative and passive by nature. Yin qiao mai has close connections with Shao yang yin who has a strong tendency to make friends easily by nature.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

배경 : 체질의학에서 진단의 중요성에도 불구하고 팔체질의학의 맥진의 신뢰성에 대한 과거 연구가 거의 없었다. 목적 : 본 예비연구는 팔체질의학의 맥진에 대한 진단자 간의 신뢰성 및 진단자 내의 신뢰성을 검사하기 위함이다. 재료 및 방법 : 팔체질의학을 이용한 진료 경력이 3년 내지 5년 되는 한의사 두 명이 실험에 참여하였다. 31명의 건강한 대학생들의 팔체질을 맥진을 통해 진단하고 그 결과를 확신도와 함께 각각 기록하도록 하였으며 이 중 5명은 각각 진단자로부터 3회씩 진단을 받도록 하였다. 그 결과를 분석하여 진단자 간의 신뢰성과 진단자 내의 신뢰성을 검사하였다. 아울러 진단에 대한 확신도와 결과와의 상관성이 있는지도 조사하였다. 대상자와 진단자는 서로를 알 수 없도록 가리개를 하고 실험을 진행하였다. 결과 : 진단자 간의 일치도는 35.7%였으며 카파 계수는 0.232로 보통 이하 수준인 것으로 나타났다. 진단자 내 일치도는 진단자 별로 각각 89%, 66.83%로 나타났다. 다만 두 진단자 사이의 결과가 일치하는 경우 불일치하는 경우보다 진단자의 확신도가 높은 것으로 드러났다 결론 : 본 연구에서는 팔체질의학의 맥진의 진단자 간, 진단자 내의 신뢰성이 비교적 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 이는 진단의 변수가 많고 진단자의 숙련도나 대표성의 문제 등 여러 가지 요소들로 인한 결과로 파악된다. 팔체질의학의 진단자 간, 진단자 내의 신뢰성에 대한 향후 연구가 절실히 요구된다.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.789-798
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• 2009

In Sasang constitutional medicine, I have researched the process of visceral structure in the Eight Constitutionals under circulation of the five elements and the formation of primary source of illness. From this research, I could draw following conclusions through combination of the auxiliary psycho-formulas by applying the constitutional acupuncture therapy on the five elements diagnostic calculation. Since the arrangement for the five dimensions of organs in the eight constitutions has been formulated by circulation of the five elements in Sasang constitutions, if the five elements begin circulating count-clockwise from the reference point at the organs in Sasang constitutional medicine, the positive constitutional arrangement of organs is built up such as, the positive constitution of metal, earth, wood and water, while begin circulating clockwise, the negative constitutional arrangement of organs is formulated, such as the negative constitutions of metal, earth, wood and water. The source of illness results from imbalance of the organic force being generated by transfer of the five elements from compatibility to incompatibility when the five elements circulate. Hence, it has been acknowledged that if the source of illness comes from the strongest organ, it is the time when circulation of the five elements progresses from the second organ (the second strongest) in incompatibility, and if the source of illness comes from the weakest organ, it is the time when circulation of the five elements progresses from the third organ (the middle) in incompatibility. It is considered proper to diagnose meridians of the pericardium and the Triple Burners rather than to diagnose meridians of the heart and the small intestine which forms the visceral arrangement of the eight constitutions. For instance, the auxiliary psycho-formula obtains its prescription by attenuating the first organ (the strongest) while augmenting the fourth organ (the second weakest) when the axis of incompatibility in the five elements circulation crosses the second and the third organs, and it gets its prescription by attenuating the second organ(the second strongest) while augmenting the fifth organ(the weakest) when the axis of incompatibility in the five elements circulation crosses the third and the fourth organs. In addition, when medicating, the $4{\sim}5$ times of repeated performance can be assumed to represent the amount of an energy that each organ bears depending on the phase in the arrangement of the eight constitutional organs.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.377-393
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• 1996

Lumbago is the common disease in the human, many people have been sicked the Lumbago. As the traditional methods of Lumbago treatment, acupuncture, moxibustion, herb medicines have been applied to a patient, nowadays, new methods have been applied physical remedy, Yakchim (Korean herb acupuncture) remedy, Chuna remedy to. This report was collected 73 Lumbago patients by name, sex, age, motive, symptoms, X-ray, CT, MRI, lRCT, Sasang constitution type, Sasang herb medicine, Yakchim, Chuna, period of remedy, satisfaction of remedy, at the "WooRee Korean Medical Clinic" during 21 months from Sep. 14, 1994 to May 25, 1996. And this report was studied about the distribution of the Sasang constitution type, the Sasang herb medicine, the effect, the period. The results were as follows: 1. Lumbago patients were distributed like that; Taeum-ln (太陰人) 47 (66.3 %), Soyang-In 16 (21.9 %), Soum-In (13.7 %), Taeyang-In (太陽人) 0. This was different from distribution of Donguisuseibowon (東醫壽世保元), Taeum-In (太陰人) 50%, Soyang-In (少陽人) 30 %, Soum-In (少陰人) 20 %, Taeyang-In (太陽人) little, this report shows that the number of Taeum-In (太陰人) is more than that of Donguisuseibowon and the number of Soum-In is less than that of Donguisuseibowon. 2. The average satisfaction of remedy was 60.3 %, Taeum-In's satisfaction was 66.0 %, Soum-In's satisfaction was 56.3 %, Soyang-In's satisfaction was 60.0 %. 3. The effective herb medicines were as follows, Soyang-In used the Hyong Bang Ji Hwang Tang (荊防地黃湯), Yuk Mi Ji Hwang Tang (六味地黃樓), Soum-In used the Sib Yi Mi Goan Jung Tang (十二味寬中湯), Taeum-In used the Chung Sim Yon Ja Tang (淸心蓮子陽), Chung Pae Sa Gan Tang (淸師爾肝湯), Yeol Da Han So Tang (熱多寒少湯). 4. The period of remedy was about 6 weeks. The period of remedy of each types was as follows, Taeum-In was about 5.7 weeks, Soum-In was about 6.8 weeks, Soyang-In was about 4.2 weeks. 5. The method of Lumbago remedy is divided three types, sprain Lumbago, Pyobyong (表病 : outside Syndromes) Libyong (裡病 : inside symdromes). Soum-In's methods are Pyobyong's ascending the Yang (陽), adding the Gi (氣) [升陽益氣], and Libyong's descending the inside Yim (裡陰) [裡陰降氣], Soyang-In's methods are Pyobyongs's decending the outside-Yim [表陰降氣], and Libyong's ascending the cool Yang (濟陽) [淸陽上升]. Taeum-In's methods are Pyobyong's ascending the Lung's Yang (肺陽升氣), and Libyong's colding the dried hot liver (淸肝燥熱). Taeyang's methods are strong the liver and making Yim. (補r肝生陰) 6. There are two methods for using the YakChim (Korean herb-acupuncture) by Sasang constitution medicine, one is to select the Yakchim, the other is to choice the point for appling the Yakchim. The first, to select the Yakchim, the other is follows; Soum-In can select the bee Venom, Soyang-In can select the H.O. (Hong Whoa 紅花), Taeum-In can select the I (Hodo 胡挑), V, O.K. (Ungdarn, 薦膽), Uwhang 牛黃, Sa-Hyang 麝香, etc., Palgang Yakchim (eight principles Korean herb-acupuncture (八剛藥鐵)) could made by abstracted Sasang herb medicine. The second, to choice the points for applying the Yakchim are used in the TaeGiuk Acupuncture method (太梗針法), Sacho (四焦, four warmer) by Sasang constritutional physiology and pathology.