• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.99-113
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• 2014

Objectives: To provide theoretical basis for the classification of medicinal moxibustion(藥灸劑) in Health Insurance Medical Benefit in Korea through investigating trend of judicial precedents on indirect moxibustion and usage of medicinal moxibustion in "Donguibogam". Methods: We analyzed statistical data of moxibustion from Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and National Health Insurance Statistical Yearbook. We investigated major judicial precedents on indirect moxibustion to find out some trend and we searched the usages of medicinal moxibustion in "ZhenJiuDaCheng" and "Donguibogam". Results: According to recent judicial precedents, indirect moxibustion with equipment is no loner regarded as Korean Medical Procedure. In composition of 'Oriental Health Treatment', amount for acupuncture has gradually decreased instead, amount for moxibustion has increased steadily for 5 years. Medicinal moxibustion(藥灸劑) is often used as a form of indirect medicinal moxibustion with moxa in "Donguibogam". Argyi Folium, Moschus, Natrii Chloridium, Radix Preparata, Realgar and Olibanum are most frequently used for medicinal moxibustion in "Donguibogam". Medicinal moxibustions are composed of simple prescription or herb-pair or multiple prescription in "Donguibogam". Conclusions: In Health Insurance Medical Benefit in Korea, under the division of moxibustion, direct medicinal moxibustion and indirect medicinal moxibustion should be classified in addition.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.162-166
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• 2023

This study aimed to demonstrate a safe and effective procedure targeting the A1 pulley with ultrasound-guided acupotomy in patients with a trigger finger. Six ultrasound-guided acupotomy procedures were performed on 1 patient. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score, Quinnell's classification of triggering, Tanaka score, and A1 pulley thickness were measured using ultrasonography before and after treatment. This study revealed reduced NRS score, Quinnell's classification of triggering, Tanaka score, and thickness of the A1 pulley, with no side effects during the procedure. This indicates ultrasound-guided acupotomy as an effective and safe treatment method for patients with a trigger finger. Further studies are required to evaluate the beneficial effects of this treatment.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.117-124
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this report is to introduce hypersensitivity reaction of bee venom pharmacopuncture, and remind caution when use bee venom pharmacopuncture. Methods : After skin test, we were treated with bee venom pharmacopuncture to severe lower back pain and facial palsy patients depending on the state of the individual. After the treatment, bee venom hypersensitivity reaction was appeared, and we retreated hypersensitivity reaction depending on progress. Result & Conclusion : Hypersensitivity reaction of bee venom appears as various symptoms depending on the patient's condition, procedure amount and procedure point. We might reinforce skin test, and remind caution when use bee venom pharmacopuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Korean medicine combination treatments for recurring back pain after medical procedures. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on 311 patients admitted to Daejoen Jaseng hospital who were diagnosed with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral discs. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not they had undergone at least one medical procedure on the lumbar spine. They were assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions Index (EQ-5D) before and after treatment. Results: Patients who experienced a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group A), statistically significantly improved EQ-5D and ODI scores. The NRS scores also decreased however it was not statistically significant. Patients who had not undergone a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group B) had statistically significantly improved ODI and NRS scores. The average EQ-5D score decreased however, there was no statistically significant difference before and after scores in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in variation in EQ-5D, ODI, and NRS scores before and after treatment between the groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that even after a bilateral procedure and surgery, when pain in patients with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc did not decrease, (as in failed back surgery syndrome), Korean medicine combination treatment of postoperative pain was helpful and there was improvement in daily life.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2024

The use of ultrasound (US)-guided interventions has rapidly increased in Korean medicine (KM) to ensure the safety and accuracy of invasive procedures, such as pharmacopuncture and acupotomy. Although hands-on training is important for the acquisition of skills, it requires considerable time and cost. A detailed guide on the procedure and treatment regions is needed to ensure hygiene and safety during US-guided procedures in KM practice. In this study, we present the overall procedure, target structures, and treatment approaches of US-guided pharmacopuncture and acupotomy for nerve entrapment in the upper extremities of the cubital and radial tunnel, posterior interosseous nerve, carpal tunnel, and Guyon's canal syndrome. We believe that the findings of our study will serve as a foundation for future clinical research, practice, and education on US-guided KM procedures. Further research involving US-guided interventions should specify target structures in three-dimension to delineate the treatment areas.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim is to comprehend the difference of moxibustion used according to applied body parts (knee pain, neck pain, back pain) to oriental doctors running clinic in Seoul. Methods : A sampling of 288 oriental doctors running clinic in Seoul was done and the doctors were asked to fill out 20 questions by interviewing directly from Nov. 23. 2009 to Jan. 9. 2010. Results : The result shows that moxibustion was used for knee pain and back pain more than neck pain. The type of moxibustion mostly used was sticker moxibustion for all three symptoms. Burn marks were left mostly in knee and back pain. Most large volume of moxa was used to back pain. More than half of the oriental doctors used 1-3 acupoints for one procedure and on average 2-3 sessions was done. Patients with knee pain and back pain had more than 4 sessions compared to neck pain. Treatments were mostly done 3 times a week, and as for total treatment period, it took less than 1 week for acute symptom, and it took more than 1 week and less than 5 weeks for chronic symptom. Conclusions : This research shows that the method of moxibustion used differs according to the area of treatment(knee pain, neck pain, back pain) by survey of oriental doctors through direct interviews.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.137-148
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to review articles concerning acupuncture or moxibustion treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Methods : On-line databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid-EMBASE, NDSL and OASIS were searched to find articles concerning acupuncture or moxibustion treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Several overlapping articles and those not relevant to the topic were excluded, as well as review articles and commentaries. Results : 16 case reports were selected through the procedure, all of which presented successful treatment cases of Complex Regional Pain Syndromes with acupuncture and moxibustion. Most of them presented one single patient case and were published in Korea. However, almost half of them were printed in English, and had been continuously published since 2005. It was remarkable that pharmacopuncture was predominantly used to treat Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Also, we noted that Chinese scalp acupuncture needs to be studied further as two successful cases were presented from the U.S army. Conclusion : The results show that several case reports have been published regarding Complex Regional Pain Syndromes treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. However, all of them were case reports which are given low status in Evidence-Based Medicine. We expect that a more diverse range of articles, including case control studies, cohort studies and randomized controlled trials will be performed in the near future, and that a unified outcome measure will be developed for Complex Regional Pain Syndromes.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.13 no.1 s.19
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• pp.93-100
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• 2007

TObjectives: Develop a sham moxibustion and determine whether subjects can distinguish a sham moxibustion from a real moxibustion. Design: Single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial Methods: Sham and real moxibustion resemble each other in appearance, burning procedure, but the base of the sham moxibustion isolates the moxa-producing heat and smoke. This device was tested in a clinical trial in which subjects received moxibustion at Zhongwan(CV12), Mingmen(GV4), Quchi(LI11), Zusanli(ST36), Taichong(LR3)), Hegu(LI4). Volunteers(n=32) were given pre-treatment questionnaire to assess their experience in getting moxibustion therapy and performing it. They randomized into treatment(n=16) or sham controlled group(n=16), received moxibustion according their groups. After treatments, the effectiveness of blinding was assessed. Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in sex, age, moxibustion experience. In the treatment group and the sham group, the number of subjects who believed they received real moxibustion or sham is not different significantly.(P=.668) The consistency of a moxibustion type which subjects received actually and the their guess about that, isn't different significantly in two groups.(P=.465) Conclusion: The sham moxibustion was successfully validated in this study, The results demonstrate that this sham moxibustion blinds subjects and can be used as effective placebo-control in moxibustion clinical trials.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.300-307
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• 2019

Objectives : This study details on a case of acupotomy for relapsed lateral malleolar bursitis. Methods : A 71-year-old woman with lateral malleolar bursitis was treated with acupotomy twice in an outpatient setting. A sterilized, disposable, blade width 0.5 mm × needle length 50 mm sized acupotomy was administered on GB40 and BL62 on each visit. Pain intensity assessment using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the response evaluation criteria was conducted right after each treatment. Results : Pain on NRS declined from 5 to less than 1 after twice of acupotomy treatment. This result was regarded as 'Complete Response' using the response evaluation criteria. There were no side effects during whole treatment procedure at all. Conclusions : It is turned out that acupotomy can have a positive clinical effect on lateral malleolar bursitis in this case without any adverse effect. Further controlled studies on acupotomy for lateral malleolar bursitis are required for clinical application.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.125-145
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• 2009

Objectives : To analyze the inclusion criteria of participants, control group interventions, and the results of prior studies of acupuncture for OA. Also to identify aspects of the procedure that are associated with positive outcomes in order to establish ideal acupuncture treatment model. And to assess the methodological quality of the trials with modified Jadad score and FEAS in order to evaluate the quality of prior studies and find out whether or not acupuncture has a positive effect in treating OA. Methods : Articles up to the date of November 2008 were searched via computerized databases of PubMed, Journal of Korean Oriental Medicine, The Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Journal of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine. Bibliographies of reviewed papers were also searched and reviewed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews concerning the effects of acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) on symptoms of osteoarthritis of the human knee, published in English and Korean were included. The acupuncture treatment methods of the reviewed trials were assessed based on STRICTA. And the methodological quality of the trials was assessed by modified Jadad score and FEAS. Results : Twenty one trials of acupuncture for OA were analyzed. Based on the results of this review the following factors might contribute to optimal results from acupuncture treatment. 1) Usage of $ST_{35}$, $GB_{34$, $EX_{32}$, $ST_{36}$ and $SP_9$ acupuncture points. 2) More than four acupuncture points should be used. 3) More than 15 minutes of needle retention time. 4) Needle length-40mm and diameter-0.30mm 5) Usage of EA 6) more than 10 times treatment 7) Treatment frequency of more than once a week, 8) Treatment duration longer than 6 to 8 weeks. Conclusions : High quality clinical trials of Acupuncture for OA is still in lack. Future investigators must concentrate their attentions on the quality of acupuncture treatment itself used in the trials as well as the methodological quality of trials.