• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 1998

In order to evaluate calorie rate of moxa-combustion(direct moxibustion=DM, indirect moxibustion with stainless steel tube=IMS, indirect moxibustion with ginger slice=IMG), calorie rate(%) in the preheating period, heating period, retaining period, and cooling period was calculated respectively to the total combustion calories in all the periods. The result are as follow: 1. Indirect moxibustion with stainless steel tube had the highest rate with the statistical significance than other groups during the preheating period, represented statistical differences between IMS group and IMG group, and also between DM group and IMS group. 2. Indirect moxibustion with ginger slice group showed the highest rate with the statistical significance and followed by DM group and IMG group during the heating period, represented statistical difference among DM, IMS, and IMG group. 3. Direct moxibustion group had the highest rate with the statistical significance than other group during the retaining period, represented statistical difference between DM group and IMG group, and also between DM group and IMS group. 4. Indirect moxibustion with stainless steel tube had the highest rate with the statistical significance than other groups during the cooling period, represented statistical differences between IMS group and IMG group, and also between IMS group and DM group.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.111-119
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• 2014

Objectives This study aims to analyze a thermal distribution in biological living tissue during warm needling therapy by using a finite element method. The analysis provides an understanding of warm needling's efficacy and safety. Methods A model which consisted of four-layered tissue and stainless steel needle was adopted to analyze the thermal distribution in living tissue with a bioheat transfer analysis. The governing equation for the analysis was a Pennes' bioheat equation. A heat source characteristic of warm needling therapy was obtained by previous experimental measurements. The first analysis of the time-dependent temperature distribution was conducted through points on a boundary between the needle and the tissue. The second analysis was conducted to visualize the horizontal temperature distribution. Results When heat source's peak temperatures was above $500^{\circ}C$ and temperature rising rates were relatively slow, the peak temperature at skin surface exceeded a threshold of pain and tissue damage ($45^{\circ}C$), whereas when the peak temperature was around $400^{\circ}C$, the peak temperature at the skin surface was within a safe limit. In addition, the conduction of combustion energy from the moxa was limited to the skin layer around the needle. Conclusions The results suggest that the skin layer around the needle can be heated effectively by warm needling therapy, but it appears to have little effect at the deeper tissue. These findings enhance our understanding of the efficacy and the safety of the warm needling therapy.

• 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.