• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.74-85
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• 2007

Objective : In this study we wanted to confirm if proper stimulation and de-Qi of traditional Korean medical acupuncture could increase hot flash relief efficacy. Design : A randomized controlled, single blind study. We used two modalities of acupuncture, one with optimal stimulation [Study group; Korean medical acupuncture (TKMA)] and one with minimal stimulation [Control group; Minimal acupuncture (MA)]. Same acupoints [PC6(內關), HT8(少府), HT7(神門), LI4(合谷), ST36(足三里), SP6(三陰交), Ren4(關元)] were used in both groups. Fifty-two patients were treated twice a week for 8 weeks, and follow up was done after 4 weeks from the last treatment. Patients were checked hot flash VAS (visual analog scale), frequency and duration every time they visited. Results : Hot flash relief efficacy by 100mm hot flash VAS was obvious in both groups. Hot flash VAS scores of study group were smaller than the scores of control group at the early stage (3rd, $4^{th}$ and $8^{th}$ visit), but there wasn't a remarkable difference between study and control group at the end of the trial. Besides, diminution of hot flash VAS was faster and more even in the study group than control group by visualization using 'Box plot'. We compared frequency and duration of hot flash, 100mm sweating, palpitation, sleep disturbance VAS, and Kupperman Index, MENQOL, Patient's global assessment score. Both groups showed definite decrease from the baseline, but the difference was not statistically significant. There wasn't any adverse event. Hot flash relief efficacy was kept in most patients after 4 weeks' follow-up. Conclusion : Acupoint combination by Traditional Korean medical theory is effective on hot flashes and hot flash relief efficacy was faster and more even in optimal stimulation than minimal stimulation.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2012

Objectives : This study is set out to discover more about the treatment of anxiety disorder in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Methods : We searched the database-China Academic Journals(CAJ). For papers published since 2007-2011, which are classified in categories. Results : We have finally selected 23 articles, and the results were as follows: 1. Stages of Anxiety disorder are discussed in various aspects. 2. Diagnostic criteria and evaluation criteria were the same, especially, in the CCMD and HAMA was used most frequently. Adverse effects were reported using TESS. 3. There are various ways, such as Herbal medicine, acupuncture, electroacupuncture stimulation, acupoints injection, and abdominal massage therapy to treat Anxiety disorders in TCM. 4. Zizyphus jujuba, Poligala tenuifolia, Poria cocos are mainly used in herbal medicine. Sinmun(HT7), Sameumgyo(SP6), Naegwan(PC6) are mainly used in acupuncture points. 5. The treatment group, cured by herbal medicine or acupuncture, was similar in its therapeutic efficiency to that of the control group, which was cured by western medicine. In some cases, the treatment group was better off than the control group. Herbal medicines have been reported that they have less side effects and drug addiction than the western medicines. We predict that herbal medicine in the treatment for anxiety disorders will have an advantage. Conclusions : There are a wide range of approaches in the treatments for Anxiety disorders in TCM. In some aspects, herbal medicine is more effective than that of the western medicine. According to this study, we predict that herbal medicine in the treatment for anxiety disorders, has some advantage. Therefore, there is a need for more clinical research for this disorder in Korean traditional medicine.

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

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.497-507
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the treatment response to Korean medicine of a paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) patient with dysarthria and weakness of distal extremity. Case presentation: A 53-year-old female diagnosed with PCD complained of dysarthria and weakness of distal extremity. During 32-day hospitalization, she was treated with Korean medicine, namely, herbal medicine (modified Gamiguibi-tang), acupuncture (15 minutes twice a day at CV23, HT7, LI4, LR3, ST36, SP6, GB20, TE17, PC6, GV20, Ex-HN1, GV24 etc.), moxibustion, and cupping, combined with Western medicine (prednisolone, azathioprine) and physical therapy. Post-treatment, the patient global assessment (PGA) score of dysarthria fell from 100 to 60; grasp power rose from 15 kg to 19 kg and 13 kg to 17 kg in the right and left hands, respectively; and the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and Beck depression inventory (BDI-II) scores changed from 10 to 8, 0 to 80, and 34 to 7 respectively. Follow-up visits continued for about a month after discharge, improvement in symptoms maintained, and there were no significant side effects. Conclusions: Given the lack of standard treatment for PCD, Korean medicine can be tried clinically for the treatment of PCD patients with dysarthria and weakness of distal extremity. However, further studies with control groups are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.202-210
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• 2004

Objective: In order to find oriental medical therapies on Parkinson's disease and to make a fundamental basis for clinical application, this study was performed. Methods: We reviewed 35 kinds of the ancient and modern text, and related articles. Results: Parkinson's disease is an extrapyramidal disease characterized by akinesia, tremor at rest, rigidity, and slowness of movement. In old oriental medical text, Parkinson's disease is described as Jinjeon(振顫), Chi, Gyeong (痙), Gyejong, Ryeon(攣) and Pyeongo(偏枯), Tantan, Jungbu(中腑症) of Jungpung(中風). According to the text, major pathological causes were Wind(風), Fire(火), Phlegm(痰), and Blood stasis(瘀血). And Parkinson's disease can be classified into four clinical types as liver & kidney yin-deficiency, qi & blood deficiency, retention of phlegm-heat, and qi-stagnation & blood stasis. Standardized acupuncture points are GV20, GB20, GV14 on head, CV12, ST25 on abdomen, GV26, ST7, GB1, S14, LI20 on face, LI4, LI11, TE5, SI3, HT3, LI15, SI6 on upper extremity, and ST36, GB34, SP6, LR3, KI1, GB30, BL40 on lower extremity. Other methods, such as scalp acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and herb-acupuncture, can be applied to treat Parkinson's disease. Conclusions: We find out that there are oriental medical concepts related with Parkinson's disease such as Jinjeon(振顫), Chi, Gyeong (痙), Gyejong, Ryeon(攣) and Pyeongo(偏枯), Tantan, Jungbu(中腑症) of Jungpung(中風), of which major causes are Wind(風), Fire(火), Phlegm(痰), and Blood stasis(瘀血). We can also apply many effective acupuncture points and acupuncture therapies according to differential diagnosis, for example, liver & kidney yin-deficiency. qi & blood deficiency, retention of phlegm-heat, and qi-stagnation & blood stasis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.125-134
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• 2010

Objectives : There has been a need for developing and establishing operational curriculum for the education of acupuncture, but defining the level and step of the acupuncture education in clinical perspectives was not thoroughly recognized so far. Methods : We analysed the usage of acupuncture points in the official textbook to recognize the most frequently used acupoints in clinical medicine. It was found that $ST_{36}$ $LI_4$ $SP_6$ $HT_7$ $LR_3$ $CV_{12}$ $BL_{23}$ $CV_6$ $BL_{20}$ $CV_4$ $LI_{11}$ $PC_6$ $KI_3$ $GB_{20}$ $GV_{20}$ $GB_{34}$ $BL_{18}$ $GV_{14}$ $BL_{17}$ $BL_{40}$ are the most frequently used 20 acupuncture points and GB(足少陽擔經), CV(任脈), ST(足陽明胃經) are the most frequently used meridians. Results : The $ST_{36}$, $GB_{34}$, $LI_{11}$ and GB(足太陽膀胱經) meridian are most frequently used for muskuloskeletal disease, $ST_{36}$, $LI_4$, $LI_{11}$ and GB(足太陽膀胱經) meridian are most frequently used for neuromuskular disease, and $ST_{36}$, $CV_{12}$, $BL_{20}$ and CV(任脈) meridian are most frequently used for the digestive system disorders. Conclusions : This study was the first systematic approach to get essential acupuncture points for the education of clinical perspectives of TKM especially for the acupuncture and moxibustion. We found that the $ST_{36}$, $GB_{34}$, $LI_{11}$ and GB(足太陽膀胱經) are the most frequently used acupuncture point and meridian. This study will be used for the development of TKM clinical curriculum.