• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2008

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate if Sweet Bee Venom(SBV) Therapy has the equal effect in comparison with Bee Venom (BV) Therapy on Chronic Lower Back Pain. Methods Clinical studies were conducted to 39 patients who were treated Chronic Lower Back Pain in Dept. of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongeui University from March 1 to June 30, 2008. Subjects were randomly devided into 2 groups : BV treated group(Group A, n=19), SBV treated group(Group B, n=20) In BV treated group(Group A), we treated patients with dry needle acupuncture and BV Therapy. In SBV treated group(Group B), we treated patients with dry needle acupuncture and SBV Therapy. All process of treatment were performed by double blinding method. 1. To estimate the efficacy of venom in controlling pain, we have checked Visual Analog Scale(VAS). 2. For evaluating functional changes of patients, we have checked Oswestry Lower Back Disability Questionnaire(ODI). 3. To estimate Itching which is the most prominent symptom of allergic reaction, we have checked Visual Analog Scale(VAS). Results 1. In controlling pain, the results of BV treated group(Group A) is more effective than that of SBV treated group(Group B). 2. In promoting function, the results of BV treated group (Group A) is more effective than that of SBV treated group(Group B). 3. In controlling itching, the results of SBV treated group(Group B) is more effective than that of BV treated group(Group A). Conclusions According to the study, SBV Therapy shows more effective result than BV Therapy in controlling itching. But BV Therapy is more effective than SBV Therapy in controlling pain and promoting function.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2015

Objectives: A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is characterized by back pain and fracture of a vertebral body on spinal radiography. VCFs of the thoraco lumbar spine are common in the elderly. In general, appropriate analgesics should be prescribed to reduce pain and, thus, promote early mobilization. The ideal treatment approach for VCFs has not been determined. In Korea, acupuncture and herbal medication have been used to treat VCFs for many years. There is empirical evidence that acupuncture might benefit patients with a VCF. However, no randomized, controlled, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and the safety of acupuncture for treating a VCF have been published. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial to obtain information for the design of a further full scale trial. Methods: A five week protocol for a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial is presented. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: a control group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections once a week for three weeks, and an experimental group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections plus acupuncture treatment (three acupuncture sessions per week for three weeks, nine sessions in total). The primary outcomes will be the pain intensity (visual analogue scale and PainVision$^{TM}$ system). The secondary outcome measurements will be the answers on the short form McGill pain questionnaire and the oswestry disability index. Assessments will be made at baseline and at one, three, and five weeks. The last assessment (week five) will take place two weeks after treatment cessation. This study will provide both an indication of feasibility and a clinical foundation for a future large scale trial. The outcomes will provide additional resources for incorporating acupuncture into existing treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, narcotics and vertebral augmentation. This article describes the protocol.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate correlations between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), pain, and performance ability in professional fencing players. Methods: Fifty-six athletes participated in this study. The pain group included those who had a score on a pain-related Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of ${\geq}$20 and an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score ${\geq}$10). In the non-pain group, these scores were: VAS(<20), ODI(<10). The VAS and ODI were used to measure pain throughout the study. Performance ability included motor function of the lower extremities (as assessed by a Modified Functional Index Questionnaire, MFIQ), dynamic balance (Balance system, BS and Posture med, PM), flexor and extensor muscle strength of the lumbar region was recorded as maximal isometric strength. Results: Among athletes who had pain, 5 of 15(33.33%) showed impaired functional movement. Conversely, only 2 of 41(4.88%) of those who had no pain showed such impairment (FMS ${\leq}$14score). The athletes who had pain and who had an FMS score above 14 (10/56; 17.86%) showed a significantly higher score for extensor muscle strength of the lumbar compared with those with pain and an FMS score below 14 (5/56; 8.93%) were significant correlations between the FMS and pain (r=-0.40 to -0.42, p<0.01), the MFIQ (r=-0.33, p<0.05), dynamic balance (r=-0.27 to -0.40, p<0.05-0.01), muscle strength of the lumbar (r=0.27 to 0.29, p<0.05). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the dynamic balance score (${\beta}{\beta}$=-0.41) had slightly more power in predicting FMS score than pain, motor function of lower extremity, or muscle strength. Conclusion: The FMS was significantly associated with values of pain, motor function of the lower extremities, dynamic balance, and muscle strength of the lumbar. However the FMS appears to lack relevance and reasonable evidence to suggest that it is an acceptable measurement tool for functional movement analysis.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

Backgrounds : In 2017, National Health Insurance implemented the pilot insuring project for Chuna manual therapy(CMT). 65 Korean Medicine(KM) hospitals and clinics were selected in the project to monitor the provision of insured CMT. Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CMT for low back pain provided in the real world setting. Methods : Patients with low back pain who agreed to participated in the study were enrolled and requested to complete questionnaires. Patients who received CMT regardless of receiving other KM therapies were classified to Chuna group, and patient who received KM therapies without CMT to KM group. Pain(pain-VAS) and back function(KODI, Oswestry disability index-Korean version), quality of life were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Additionally, patients who received CMT twice and more, and who's pain-VAS 20 and over were included, and patients who used pain injection were excluded in the analysis. Results : Of 371 patients who completed all questionnaire (mean age=42.6years, SD=12.45; 61% female), 96 were excluded, 170 were in Chuna group, and 105 were in KM group. Proportions of patients who had low back pain for more than twelve weeks in the Chuna group and KM group were 57.7% and 24.8%, respectively. Pain and back function were significantly improved on 4weeks and 8weeks in both groups, but there was no difference between two groups. For the patients in the sub-acute and chronic stage(>=12 weeks), change of total KODI scores in the Chuna group was higher than KM group(p=0.013) at 4weeks. Conclusions : CMT with other KM therapies can improve back function in the sub-acute and chronic patients. For insurance policy decision, economic evaluation of CMT is needed.