• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.111-119
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• 2014

Objectives This study aims to analyze a thermal distribution in biological living tissue during warm needling therapy by using a finite element method. The analysis provides an understanding of warm needling's efficacy and safety. Methods A model which consisted of four-layered tissue and stainless steel needle was adopted to analyze the thermal distribution in living tissue with a bioheat transfer analysis. The governing equation for the analysis was a Pennes' bioheat equation. A heat source characteristic of warm needling therapy was obtained by previous experimental measurements. The first analysis of the time-dependent temperature distribution was conducted through points on a boundary between the needle and the tissue. The second analysis was conducted to visualize the horizontal temperature distribution. Results When heat source's peak temperatures was above $500^{\circ}C$ and temperature rising rates were relatively slow, the peak temperature at skin surface exceeded a threshold of pain and tissue damage ($45^{\circ}C$), whereas when the peak temperature was around $400^{\circ}C$, the peak temperature at the skin surface was within a safe limit. In addition, the conduction of combustion energy from the moxa was limited to the skin layer around the needle. Conclusions The results suggest that the skin layer around the needle can be heated effectively by warm needling therapy, but it appears to have little effect at the deeper tissue. These findings enhance our understanding of the efficacy and the safety of the warm needling therapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.75-82
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of warm needling therapy in a patient with cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Methods : A 53-year-old Korean male patient diagnosed with cervical myelopathy due to ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament was treated with warm needling therapy on posterior neck aside from the routine inpatient treatment from June 26th to July 16th. Clinical improvement was evaluated with visual analogue scale(VAS), Japanese orthopedic score(JOA), grip and release test, finger escape sign and patient satisfaction was measured using a five-point Likert scale. Results : After 21 days of treatment, the patient showed improvement in VAS, JOA, grip and release test and finger escape sign. The patient also expressed satisfaction with the treatment. Conclusions : The results suggest that warm needling therapy may be an effective additional treatment for cervical myelopathy and other symptoms related to ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL). Further studies should be carried out regarding possible long-lasting effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the effects of warm needling in a patient with cancer who had chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: A 46-year-old Korean female outpatient diagnosed with malignant ovarian cancer was treated with warm needling therapy on the foot acupuncture points for CIPN. Neuropathic symptoms and quality of life were assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and the functional assessment of cancer therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-NTX) score. Results: After 6 months of treatment, the patient showed a reduction in the severity of CIPN symptoms and an improvement in the quality of life, although the severity of symptoms fluctuated as the patient underwent chemotherapy sessions. Conclusion: This study suggests that warm needling may be an effective treatment for CIPN.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to introduce a case of osteochondral lesions of the left talus caused by ankle sprain and suggest complex traditional Korean medical care with warm needling therapy as a possible method of conservative treatment. Methods : A 20-year-old male with osteochondral lesions of the left talus complaining of ankle pain and restricted range of movement was treated mainly with warm needling therapy and other combined Korean medicine therapy from January 5, 2015 to January 12, 2015. Improvements of symptoms were measured by American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Score (AOFAS Score), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Range of movement (ROM). Results : During 8 days of treatment, the patient showed gradual improvement in AOFAS score, VAS at rest and at weight bearing position, as well as ROM of the ankle. Conclusion : According to the result, warm needling therapy is a possible conservative treatment for osteochondral lesions of the talus. Further studies are needed regarding possible longterm effects.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate whether warm-needling is more effective than acupuncture in relieving the pain and improving the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis(OA). Methods : 76 volunteers with knee OA participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received warm-needling(n=38), while the other group received acupuncture(n=38). Sixteen sessions of warm-needling or acupuncture were conducted on the pain region of each problematic knee over a period of 8 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) scores, physical health score based on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36) and the Global Assessment(PGA) was measured. Results : Compared to the acupuncture group, the warm-needling group showed a significant decrease in pain, function, and total WOMAC scores according to the Mann-Whitney U-test. The PGA scores of the warm-needling group also showed a significant improvement compared to the acupuncture group. Conclusions : Warm-needling showed a greater pain relief effect on knee OA compared to the acupuncture group. These findings suggest that warm-needling may be a promising alternative therapy for treating knee OA.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.127-139
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Traditional Korean Medical treatment on Postherpetic Neuralgia. Methods : Five patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia were treated with Warm Needling, Bee venom Acupuncture, Cupping Therapy, Sipjeondaebo-tang. To evaluate the results of this treatment, we used Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Pain Rating Scale(PRS), Quality of Sleep(QSP). Results : After treatment, VAS, PRS, QSP and clinical symptoms of 5 patients were improved remarkably. Conclusions : According to the results, These findings suggest that Traditional Korean Medical treatment can be effective for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.13-26
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• 2024

Objectives This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Korean traditional medicine treatments for recurrent lumbar disc herniation by analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods The following 6 databases were used Korean studies Information Service System, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Research Information Sharing Service, ScienceON, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Only RCTs were selected. The risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane's risk of bias tool. Results A total of 10 RCTs were analyzed, which utilized 8 types of interventions, including acupuncture, moxibustion, warm needling, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, and chuna manual therapy. Acupuncture and moxibustion were the most frequently used treatments. There were 7 outcome measures, including the effective rate, visual analog scale, Japanese Orthopedic Association. The effective rate was assessed in all studies. Meta-analysis results indicated that warm needling therapy and traditional Chinese medicine interventions were more effective compared with the control. Conclusions In this study, warm needling therapy and herbal medicine interventions demonstrated beneficial effects. As the meta-analysis was conducted with only a subset of RCT studies, further large-scale, systematic RCT studies are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1060-1067
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• 2017

Objectives: This case study examined the effects of treatment with traditional Korean medicine on a central post-stroke pain patient, who had impingement syndrome of the right shoulder. Methods: The patient received traditional Korean medical treatments, including acupuncture, warm-needling, moxibustion, and cupping, throughout the treatment period, and extracorporeal shock-wave therapy and physical therapy for part of the treatment period. The effects of treatments were measured with a manual muscle test (MMT), numerical rating scale (NRS), range of motion (ROM), and gait staging index (self-invented). Results: The clinical symptoms of the patient were improved considerably after the complete treatment. Conclusions: Traditional Korean medicine may be effective for treatment of central post-stroke pain in patients with impingement syndrome.