• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.111-118
• /
• 2024

This case report highlights the efficacy of traditional Korean medicine in treating chronic levator ani syndrome. A 47-year-old male suffered from chronic anorectal pain for 14 years. Over the last 5 months, the severity and frequency of the pain increased, and he was unresponsive to Western medicine and acupuncture outside Korea. The patient reported moderate anorectal pain from early morning until midday, affecting daily efficiency and concentration. The pain was triggered by defecation and alleviated by lying down. He was diagnosed with levator ani syndrome related to "cold symptoms of the liver and kidney - Yin", for which modified Nangan-jeon was prescribed. Indirect moxibustion (CV4, Ki1), Aconitum ciliare Decaisne pharmacopuncture (GV1, BL33), and acupuncture (HT7, ST36, SP6, LR3, LI4) were also administered weekly. After 8 weeks, the anorectal pain decreased by 2 points on a numeric rating scale, leading to patient satisfaction and return to his home country.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.105-121
• /
• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the effects between the degree of herniated intervertebral lumbar disc (HIVD) at L4-5 level and improvement of low back pain treated by Korean Medicine therapy. Methods 567 patients who received inpatient treatment from May 2014 to December 2015 in the Daejeon-Jaseng of Korean Medicine Hospital were divided into 6 groups by the degree of HIVD at L4-5 level confirmed with a Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging. All patients received a combination of treatment including acupunture, chuna manual therapy, pharmacopunture, herbal medication. They were compared and analyzed on the basis of improvement between measuring Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ5D Index) as they were hospitalized and as they were discharged. The statistically significance was evaluated by SPSS 23.0 for windows. Results After treatment, Normal stage on Intervertebral Lumbar Disc at L4-5 level group's Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ5D Index) improvement was $1.30{\pm}1.62$, $4.52{\pm}11.82$ and $0.04{\pm}0.11$ respectively. Bulging group's improvement was $3.25{\pm}2.81$, $8.28{\pm}13.02$ and $0.09{\pm}0.17$ respectively. Spinal canal occupying ratio (SOR) less than 20 group's improvement was $2.15{\pm}1.92$, $11.79{\pm}17.81$ and $0.13{\pm}0.23$ respectively. SOR 20 to less than 40 stage group's improvement was $2.13{\pm}1.92$. $10.79{\pm}15.93$ and $0.10{\pm}0.26$ respectively. SOR 40 to less than 60 group's improvement was $2.16{\pm}2.24$, $9.80{\pm}16.62$ and $0.15{\pm}0.25$ respectively. Surgery group's improvement was $2.47{\pm}2.21$, $11.64{\pm}18.53$ and $0.15{\pm}0.27$ respectively (p<0.03). But there was no statistically significance between 6 group's improvement after treatment (p>0.05). Conclusions After inpatient treatment by Korean Medicine therapy, Most patient's pain, disability and Health Related Quality of Life was improved significantly. But there was no statistically correlation between the degree of HIVD at L4-5 level and improvement of low back pain. So We think that future research of higher quality and correct statistics shall be necessary.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.25-34
• /
• 2015

■ Objectives The purpose of this case report is to show the effect of korean medicine on a progressive supranuclear palsy patient with gait disturbance and dizziness. ■ Methods A patient with gait disturbance and dizziness diagnosed as progressive supranuclear palsy was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion. The period of admission is 16 days and we evauated the improvements of symptoms by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS), Numeric Rating Scale(NRS) and Global Assessment(G/A). ■ Results After taking Modified Bosimhwan andbeing treated by acupuncture therapy, improvements of gait disturbance and dizziness are observed. ■ Conclusion This case report proved the effect of Korean medicine on progressive supranuclear palsy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.186-193
• /
• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to report a case that showed improvements in the symptoms of patients with alcoholic hepatitis without any indication of deterioration of the disease. Methods: Western medicine with Urusa tablets and Godex capsules and Korean medicine therapeutic approaches, including Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang, acupuncture, and moxibustion, were administered to a patient during the period of treatment. Blood tests were used to determine levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), AST/ALT ratio, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total cholesterol. Fatigue was measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and the patient's total sleeping time was checked, daily. Results: After the combined treatment, the AST/ALT ratio and the AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total cholesterol, and direct bilirubin levels were decreased. Through Oriental medicine for the purpose of improving symptoms, NRS of fatigue decreased from 10 to 5, and the amount of sleeping time increased from 2 to 5 hours. Conclusions: The herbal medicine had no effect on the hepatoprotective drugs such as Urusa tablets and Godex capsules used to treat alcoholic hepatitis, and no adverse reaction from the combined administration was observed. To reduce fatigue and insomnia in patients with alcoholic hepatitis, it might be helpful to combine Western medications with Korean medicine treatments, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.776-785
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to report and demonstrate the effect of Korean medical treatment on a wedge resection of a lung patient with mucinous adenocarcinoma. The patient was an 84-year-old female who was diagnosed with mucinous adenocarcinoma and underwent wedge resection. The patient was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine (Banhahubak-tang and Gamiondam-tang). The EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, Lung Cancer 13 (EORTC QLQ-LC13), numeric rating scale (NRS), and the Global Assessment (G/A) were used to assess the changes in symptoms, including operation site pain and dyspnea. After treatment, the patient showed improvement in operation site pain and dyspnea, based on the NRS and G/A. However, dyspnea and pain were aggravated based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13. Therefore, Korean medicine may have a substantial benefit for patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma after wedge resection of the lung.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.197-205
• /
• 2016

Objectives : To report the clinical application and safety of Traditional Korean Medical treatment for patients with low back pain during pregnancy. Methods : Three patients who suffered from low back pain during pregnancy were treated with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine for 12 to 21 days. Numeric rating scale (NRS) of low back pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were checked to measure the outcome. A liver function and renal function test was carried out to identify any drug-induced liver or renal injury, and any adverse events were monitored thoroughly until delivery. Results : Low back pain reduced on NRS in all cases, and no serious adverse effects were found in the patients or infants. Conclusion : This study suggests that Traditional Korean Medical treatment is a candidate therapy for relieving low back pain during pregnancy, and also is safe for both patients and infants.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.210-216
• /
• 2015

Background: Infusion methods during regional analgesia using perineural catheters may influence the quality of postoperative analgesia. This study was conducted to compare the effects of combined or bolus-only infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine on the postoperative analgesia in interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) with perineural catheterization. Methods: Patients scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were divided into two groups, one that would receive a combined infusion (group C, n = 32), and one that would receive intermittent infusion (group I, n = 32). A perineural catheter was inserted into the interscalene brachial plexus (ISBP) using ultrasound (US) and nerve stimulation, and 10 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine was administered. After the operation, group C received a continuous infusion of 4 ml/h, and a 4 ml bolus with a lockout interval of 60 min. Group I received only a 4 ml bolus, and the lockout interval was 30 min. Postoperative pain by the numeric rating scale (NRS) and the forearm muscle tone by the manual muscle test (MMT) were checked and evaluated at the following timepoints: preoperative, and postoperative 1, 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Supplemental opioid requirements, total consumed dose of local anesthetic, and adverse effects were compared between the two groups. Results: Sixty-four patients completed the study and the postoperative values such as operation time, time to discharge, and operation site were comparable. There were no differences in NRS scores and supplemental opioid requirements between the two groups. The MMT scores of group I at 4 and 12 h after surgery were significantly higher than those of group C (P < 0.05). The total consumed dose of local anesthetic was significantly lower in group I than in group C (P < 0.05). The adverse effects were not different between the groups. Conclusions: The bolus-only administration of 0.2% ropivacaine provided a similar analgesic effect with a lower total volume of local anesthetic and decreased motor weakness compared to combined infusion. Therefore, bolus-only administration is an effective postoperative analgesic method in ISBPB with perineural catheterization after rotator cuff repair.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.77-86
• /
• 2013

This study was introduced the short-term effectiveness of Oriental medicine treatment for lumbar disc herniation inpatients. We selected 208 inpatients with a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-confirmed lumbar disc herniation since June 2012 until August 2012. Their demographics characterisitics, numeric rating scale(NRS) and Oswestry back-related disability index(ODI) for low or leg pain, lumbar flexion and extension angle were assessed at baseline and when discharged from the hospital. When it measured the straight leg raisingscale(SLR), the low side of the angle was examined. Treatment every patient has received as follow; herbal medicine, bee venom, acupuncture and physical examination, spinal manipulation. NRS of low back pain and leg pain and ODI is $5.6{\pm}2.3$, $4.9{\pm}2.8$ and $45.5{\pm}20.0$, respectively at baseline and $2.8{\pm}1.8$, $2.7{\pm}1.9$ and $27.2{\pm}14.1$, respectively when discharged from the hospital. range of motion(ROM) of lumbar flexion and extension angle and SLR is $70.0{\pm}27.1$, $15.4{\pm}7.2$ and $61.3{\pm}23.0$ respectively at baseline and $80.5{\pm}16.9$, $18.25{\pm}4.1$ and $73.2{\pm}14.0$, respectively when discharged from the hospital. It shows that statistically significant improved(P<0.001). Furthermore, regarding patient satisfaction with the treatment, excellent(33.7%), good(55.4%), normal(10.4%), poor(0.5%), it suggests that most patients(89%) satisfied with the treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.267-272
• /
• 2011

Objective : Although iliac crest autograft is the gold standard for lumbar fusion, the morbidity of donor site leads us to find an alternatives to replace autologous bone graft. Ceramic-based synthetic bone grafts such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and b-tricalcium phosphate (b-TCP) provide scaffolds similar to those of autologous bone, are plentiful and inexpensive, and are not associated with donor morbidity. The present report describes the use of Polybone$^{(R)}$ (Kyungwon Medical, Korea), a beta-tricalcium phosphate, for lumbar posterolateral fusion and assesses clinical and radiological efficacy as a graft material. Methods : This study retrospectively analyzed data from 32 patients (11 men, 21 women) who underwent posterolateral fusion (PLF) using PolyBone$^{(R)}$ from January to August, 2008. Back and leg pain were assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and clinical outcome was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Serial radiological X-ray follow up were done at 1, 3, 6 12 month. A computed tomography (CT) scan was done in 12 month. Radiological fusion was assessed using simple anterior-posterior (AP) X-rays and computed tomography (CT). The changes of radiodensity of fusion mass showed on the X-ray image were analyzed into 4 stages to assess PLF status. Results : The mean NRS scores for leg pain and back pain decreased over 12 months postoperatively, from 8.0 to 1.0 and from 6.7 to 1.7, respectively. The mean ODI score also decreased from 60.5 to 17.7. X-rays and CT showed that 25 cases had stage IV fusion bridges at 12 months postoperatively (83.3% success). The radiodensity of fusion mass on X-ray AP image significantly changed at 1 and 6 months. Conclusion: The present results indicate that the use of a mixture of local autologous bone and PolyBone$^{(R)}$ results in fusion rates comparable to those using autologous bone and has the advantage of reduced morbidity. In addition, the graft radiodensity ratio significantly changed at postoperative 1 and 6 months, possibly reflecting the inflammatory response and stabilization.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of Dong-qi acupuncture on piriformis for herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) of lumbar spine patients with piriformis muscles tenderness. Methods : This research was carried out on the 60 inpatients who received treatment for their HIVD of lumbar spine from January 1 to May 31, 2014 in DaeJeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. We divided them into two groups ; group A(n=30) : common treatment on HIVD of L-spine without Dong-qi acupuncture on piriformis(acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herb medication, Chuna and physiotherapy), and group B(n=30) : common treatment on HIVD of L-spine with Dong-qi acupuncture on piriformis. We evaluated the treatment effect of each group on tenderness(checked by Algometer pressure), and with a numeric rating scale(NRS), and oswestry disability index(ODI). The evaluations of tenderness were performed 8 times : admission day, and on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th and 21st day after admission. The evaluations of NRS and ODI were performed 3 times : admission day, and on the 12th and 21st day after admission. The statistical significance was evaluated by SPSS 18.0 for Windows. Results : In group B, tenderness was significantly decreased compared with group A. The difference of tenderness from admission day to the 12th day showed significant reduction compared with group A. Conclusions : Dong-qi acupuncture is more effective in reducing piriformis muscle tenderness in the early stages of treatment. We expect that patients who receive Dong-qi acupuncture will be satisfied with Korean medical treatment and trust their doctor.