• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

This study was conducted to assess the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) and interferential current(IFC) in the patients with myofascial pain syndrome(MPS) on upper trapezius. Twenty patients with MPS on upper trapezius was assigned randomly to TENS group(n=10), IFC group(n=10). In TENS group, TENS was applied to the trigger point. In IFC group, IFC was applied to the trigger point. Duration of treatment was 2 weeks. Effects were assessed before treatment, post treatment by visual analogue scale(VAS), and pain rating score(PRS). Significant change of VAS was noticed in TENS group and IFC group. Significant change of PRS was noticed in TENS group and IFC group. IFC groups were significantly higher than TENS group that of the VAS and PRS. These result showed that IFC is effective treatment method for pain control in patients with MPS.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to investigate high energy and low energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and which one is more effective for shoulder pain. Design: Single blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Fifty two subjects with upper trapezius (UT) trigger point (TrP) participated in this study. They were allocated to high energy (n=26) and low energy group (n=26). This study applies ESWT and investigates the changes of pressure pain threshold (PPT) and visual analogue scale (VAS). The high and low energy groups received focused piezo electric type ESWT 4 Hz, 1,000 pulses and 0.351 and $0.092mJ/mm^2$ respectively. Outcome measures of PPT and pain was measured by algometer and pain VAS. These measurements were performed before and after treatment. Results: The PPT value was significantly increased in both groups after treatment (p<0.05) and VAS scores were significantly decreased after treatment in both groups (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions: ESWT is an effective treatment for the application of the UT TrP. Although there were significant effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on PPT and VAS scores, there were no signficant differences between high and low energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.359-364
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• 2014

This paper describes the development of needle type probe that measures temperature and injects medicine for both diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal pain syndrome (MPS). The size of trigger points is from several micrometers to millimeter. Therefore, it is required to develop a medical device that is capable of not only finding the trigger points by temperature measurement, but also injecting medicine at the exact location for treatment. To challenge these difficulties, thermocouple was fabricated on the surface of a needle using metal deposition process. Special type of stainless-constantan thermocouple was achieved from the stainless body of a needle itself and deposited constantan metal film. In particular, parylene coating enables to limit the temperature sensitive area to the end of the needle tip. Fabricated needle type probe produces $3.25mV/^{\circ}C$ of thermoelectric sensitivity and compared its performance with commercial T-type thermocouple in animal muscle sample.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.379-385
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was to determine the immediate effects of pulsed magnetic field (PMF) in subjects with upper trapezius (UT) trigger point (TrP). Methods: Fifteen subjects with UT TrP were recruited for the study's PMF group (pain threshold=$2.29kg/cm^2$), and 15 age-, weight-, and gender-matched subjects with UT TrP were recruited for control group (pain threshold=$2.25kg/cm^2$). Pressure algometer was used to measure pressure pain threshold on UT TrP and, cervical range of motion (ROM) inclinometer was used to measure cervical ROM. Surface electromyography was used to record UT, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscle activity and relative ratio during scapular plane abduction between pre- and post-treatment. Results: The PMF effectively improved pain threshold and concurrently increased ROM (rotation to the painful side, lateral flexion to the nonpainful side). In addition, the PMF may effectively deactivate UT activity during abduction and the muscle activity ratio between UT and serratus anterior. Conclusion: These findings provided empirical evidence that PMF can be an effective treatment method to reduce pain threshold, to increase cervical ROM, and deactivate UT activity in individuals with TrP.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.1 s.22
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• pp.163-168
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• 2007

Objectives : This study is to report the effect of Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture on two patients suffering from the pain of popliteal part. Methods : We treated the patients with the pain of popliteal part by acupuncture according to meridian(Taeyang and Soyang-Meridian), and we injected 0.1${\sim}$0.2cc of Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture to his pain site. And then we evaluated their pain by VAS(Visual Analog Scale). Results : 1. A combined treatment-Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture and Acupucture- had a very excellent effect on relieving pain of popliteal part originated from trigger point and referred pain of Popliteus or Biceps Femoris. 2. It appears that Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture is very effective against trigger point of muscle and pain site fixed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.105-108
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• 1993

A myofascial syndrome due to continuous muscle contraction with the trigger point at the upper lateral edge of the nuchal muscles where they attach to the occipital bone is frequently seen in daily pain clinic practice. The Tienchu syndrome is a myofascial condition of the posterior neck region with a trigger point at the Tienchu acupoint(B10). When advanced, occipital neuralgia and muscle contraction headache follow. Therefore, a Tienchu block and/or occipital nerve block with local anesthetic combined with a small dose of steroid is a most effective therapeutic method for many patients who complain of posterior headache or posterior neck pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.71-90
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• 2003

The shoulder is the most flexible joint in human body, so many people suffer from the shoulder pain. In order to improve medical care about shoulder muscle disease, Myofascial Pain Syndrome(M.P.S) is compared with the oriental medical theory. The findings of this study are as follows; 1. Myofascial Pain Syndrome(M.P.S) is the sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms caused by myofascial trigger points. For the objectivity of the oriental medical theory, practical application is necessary. 2. The meridian and meridian-muscle of the shoulder is su-sam-yang(手三陽), su-sam-um(手三陰). Meridian-muscle theory is similar to anatomical muscle and myofascia. 3. There is similarity in the trigger point and Ashi(阿是)-point, taut band and palpable tender-point(硬結), referred pain and Hangki(行氣). In this study, myofacial pain syndrome is similar to the oriental medical theory. If myofacial pain syndrome is applicated in treatment, the cure of shoulder pain and objectivity of the oriental medical theory is improved.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1 s.29
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• pp.36-50
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• 1995

Acupuncture is so effective and simple to use in the pain and dysfunction syndrome of TMD. Acupuncture treatment is a point-specific. So, the selection of acupuncture point is very important. According to the traditional meridian theory, we select the points; local points around TMJ and mastication muscles(ST6, ST7, GB20, GB21) and remote point(LI4). And if there is another pain, one or two other points are added. Both neural and humoral mechanism play an important role in acupuncture analgesia. The discovery of spinal gate mechanisms shows somatic stimulation can induce pain inhibition. Humoral mechanism has been established from the discovery of opioid receptors and endogenous opioids. Acupuncture induces a relaxation in the patient, which further decreases the muscle tension.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.141-144
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• 2021

There are some cases of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) with chronic upper back pain that does not respond to dry needling or trigger point injection, well-known treatments for MPS. A 67-year-old female developed a stabbing upper back pain with trigger point at left T7~8 levels 10 years ago. She complained of the pain with Numeral Rating Scale (NRS) 8 points. Myofascial release technique and trigger point injection had no effect. Under ultrasound guidance 20 ml of 1% lidocaine was injected into thoracic paravertebral space. Immediately, the pain was reduced to NRS 4 points. One week later, the second block was performed in the same way as the first, and the pain was reduced to NRS 2 points. The stabbing pain disappeared, and oral opioids were discontinued. Ultrasound guided thoracic paravertebral space block is an effective and safe treatment for refractory MPS with chronic upper back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.43-47
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• 2007

Purpose: This study examined the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation of the infraspinatus and teres major on the shoulder function reduction. The subjects consisted of 20 female patients with a shoulder dysfunction. Methods: The 20 female patients with shoulder dysfunction participated voluntary in this research. 10 minute electro-acupuncture stimulation (frequency: 5Hz, Intensity: below the pain threshold) with Infra-red therapy, 3 times per week given to the patients' Trigger point of the infraspinatus and teres major. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Apley's Scratch Test and Global Perceived Effect Scale (GPES) were examined before alter six applications. Results: There was a significant decrease in the VAS (p<0.05) and Apley's Scratch Test (p<0.05). In addition, there was statistically significant increase in the Global Perceived Effect Scale (p<0.05). Therefore, the infraspinatus and teres major is a very important muscle for the shoulder function. Conclusion: This data will be used to develop a treatment method for patients with a shoulder dysfunction. These results suggest that the electro-acupuncture stimulation into the infraspinatus and the teres major Trigger point is an effective intervention for patients with shoulder dysfunction and pain.