• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.676-687
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to report improvement of acute headache incurred in a traffic accident in five patients who underwent inpatient treatment with Korean medicine. Methods: We collected data for traffic accident patients with acute headache who were admitted to the Ja-Seng Hospital of Korean Medicine from November 2019 to April 2020 and received combinational Korean medical treatment. All patients had numerical rating scale (NRS) values of 6 or greater. The patients were treated with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and chuna treatment. We measured the validity of the treatment with the NRS, Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), and Henry Ford Headache Disability Inventory (HDI) at admission and on the date of hospital discharge. Results: At the end of the treatment, all patients showed decreases in NRS, HDI, and HIT scores. Conclusions: The combination of Korean medicine at admission was effective in five patients with acute headache after a traffic accident. However, the number of subjects was insufficient and individual efficacy was not measured in this study. Therefore, further studies are needed on this topic.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.104-116
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• 2021

In order to reduce the social and economic costs due to the increase in dementia patients, which is a representative senile disease in an aging society, it will be important to prevent dementia and to detect and treat early in high-risk groups. This study reported the results of treatment for the elderly with high risk of dementia and depression who received Korean medicine (KM) treatment in 9 KM clinics. Medical charts were surveyed on 116 patients with high risk of dementia and depression who received KM treatment at 9 KM clinics in Gangseo-gu from September 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The majority of the patients were female(76.72%), the average age was 71.66±7.18 years old, and the average education level was 8.96±3.91 years. The average treatment period was 61.47±10.30 days, the average number of treatments was 15.38±1.06 times, and both acupuncture and herbal medicine were administered. After receiving KM treatment, cognitive assessment scores such as MMSE-DS and MoCA-K, depression-related GDSSF-K score, dementia knowledge, attitude, and preventive behavior, blood debilitation scale, and GQOL-D score were improved compared to before. There was no specific adverse reaction except that one patient with elevated AST and ALT levels was observed. This study showed improvement in cognitive function, depression, dementia-related scale, and quality of life in high-risk groups for dementia and depression over 60 years old who received KM treatment. More systematic and large-scale planned clinical studies will be needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.814-821
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• 2018

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers in Korea, and thyroidectomy is the first-line treatment. Hypoparathyroidism is a common complication of thyroidectomy and can cause symptoms such as numbness, spasm, and anxiety, but these issues have seldom been reported in the Korean medical literature. The present case was a 53-year-old thyroid cancer patient who complained of numbness caused by hypoparathyroidism, general weakness, fatigue, and postoperative pain after total thyroidectomy. The patient was treated with Korean medicine treatment, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, and moxibustion, and her changes in clinical symptoms were measured with a numeric rating scale (NRS), the Karnofsky performance status scale (KPS), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). After treatment, her clinical symptoms were improved, leading to an improvement in her quality of life. Therefore, Korean medicine may be effective in the treatment of thyroid cancer patients who experience numbness caused by hypoparathyroidism, general weakness and fatigue after total thyroidectomy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.777-786
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• 2020

Background: This study is a report on a case of a Wernicke's encephalopathy with quadriplegia, ataxia, and impaired cognition, whose condition was improved by Korean medicine treatment. Case report: A 51-year-old man diagnosed with Wernicke's encephalopathy was treated with acupuncture, Banhabakchulchunma-tang mixed with Ondam-tang-gami (半夏白朮天麻湯合溫膽湯加味), cupping, moxibustion, and rehabilitation. Clinical symptoms were measured with the Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Korean Mini Mental Status Exam (K-MMSE), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and a numeric rating scale (NRS). After 22 days of treatment, his clinical symptoms showed improvement. The motor function improved (MMT Rt. side Gr. 4+G/4+G, Lt. side Gr. 4G/4+G → Rt. side Gr. 5-N/4+G, Lt. side Gr. 5-N/4+G), Ataxia was relieved (BBS 3→33), cognition improved (K-MMSE 15→27), ADL scores showed improvement (FIM 58→90, MBI 40→75), and the NRS score decreased for headache (3→0). Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment could be effective in the treatment of patients with Wernicke's encephalopathy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1022-1029
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• 2016

Objectives: This study surveyed doctors of Korean medicine on how they treat hypertension in their Korean clinical practices. Methods: An invitation to take an Internet-based questionnaire was sent to doctors who were registered in the Association of Korean Medicine in September 2016. Participants were first asked general profile questions, which included age, gender, work experience as a practitioner, and specialties. Second, they were asked whether they had experience with hypertension treatment and additional questions related to hypertension. Results: A total of 991 replies were received to the questionnaire. Most of the Korean medical doctors (95%) had blood pressure units and had monitored blood pressure. A majority of the Korean medicine doctors (55%) had provided hypertension treatment. Acupuncture and herbal medicine were commonly used for the treatment of hypertensive patients. In addition, bloodletting, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, cupping, Chuna, Qigong exercise, meditation, and Tai Chi were used. Many doctors also recommended lifestyle modification. The respondents said that Korean medicine improves general health conditions (42.6%) and has low adverse effects (29.9%). One of the most common opinions about the revitalization measures of Korean medicine was expanding health insurance benefits (20.8%). Conclusions: Through this survey, we found out information about the present situation of hypertension treatment in Korean medicine. In the future, it is possible that hypertension treatment using Korean medicine will be demanded and used by practitioners if it is covered by public health insurance.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.863-869
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• 2016

Objective: To describe the treatment of a 46-year-old female patient with supragastric belching using Korean medical treatment and Melonis Calyx vomiting therapy. Methods: The treatment included three administrations of Melonis Calyx vomiting therapy (day 2, day 9, and day 16), herbal decoction, acupuncture, and moxibustion. The severity of symptoms was evaluated daily with a numeric rating scale (NRS). Results: Korean medical treatment suppressed the belching and improved other symptoms. After using the Melonis Calyx, the severity of belching decreased from NRS 4 to NRS 1 (day 2), from NRS 3 to NRS 1 (day 9), and no further change from NRS 1 (day 13). Conclusions: Melonis Calyx vomiting therapy appears to be an effective treatment for patients with supragastric belching. Further study will be needed to confirm the effectiveness of Melonis Calyx vomiting therapy on supragastric belching.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2018

The aim of this survey is to investigate the current state of pattern identification, treatment and management on chronic fatigue in the Korean medicine. From May 25, 2017 to June 7, we distributed contents of questionnaires to 17,992 Korean medical doctors via e-mail, and then received answers from 329 people. The surveys were conducted by a specialized research organizations. Researchers were blinded to the participant's personally identifiable information or whether they participated in the investigation. In Korea, almost Korean medicine doctors (94.5%) used pattern identification in the treatment of chronic fatigue patients. The main diagnostic methods were visceral (38.5%), qi-blood-fluid-humor (32.3%), and sasang constitutional pattern identification (14.3%). The high-frequent therapy were herbal medicine (37.0%), acupuncture (27.9%), moxibustion (11.7%), and cupping (8.6%). The primary goals of treatment were Improvement and relaxation of stress condition (18.1%), improvement of quality of life (13.1%), increase of functional vitality (34.0%), and fatigue management (23.3%). The key factors affecting treatment outcomes were the patient's aggressiveness in treatment (23.5%) and his/her lifestyle and environment(22.7%). This study was a pioneering research for chronic fatigue on the aspect of medical service provider in the Korean medicine. We hope that this study can be used as a basis for developing a more appropriate and reasonable practice guidelines for chronic fatigue.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2014

Objectives : The Purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical application of conservative Korean treatment including hip joint MST for Bilateral Sacroillitis with Synovitis in Rt. Hip Joint Caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis. Methods : Patient is hospitalized at Dept. of Korean Internal Medicine, Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital, diagnosed as Bilateral Sacroilitis with Synovitis in Rt. Hip Joint Caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis, and treated by herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and hip joint MST. This study was measured by NRS(Numeric Rating Scale), SLRT(Straight leg raising test), Patrick test, and Blood test(ESR, CRP). Result : After conservative treatment, the patient's pain was controlled and NRS score was decreased. SLRT score also improved. Patrick test unchanged. ESR, CRP score was decreased. Conclusion : As seen in this one case, conservative Korean treatment including hip joint MST has a positive effect to control pain with Bilateral Sacroillitis with Synovitis in Rt. Hip Joint Caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.227-239
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to report the case of oriental medical treatment for the left lower limb monoplegia after herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) operation at lumbar(L)-spine. Methods: A 38-year-old man who underwent lumbar HIVD operation at a hospital admitted with motor weakness of left lower limb, a little decreased left leg radiation pain and low back pain. We treated him by acupuncture, herbal medicine, bee venom injection moxibustion, cupping treatment physical therapy and measured with visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry disability index(ODI), Roland-Morris disability questionnaire(RMDO) and manual muscle test(MMT) from 8th February to 4th May 2011. Results: After treatment most symptoms decreased, VAS score changed from 10 to 3, ODI changed 71% to 37% RMDQ changed 13 to 8 and MMT changed from 3 to 5. Conclusions: Our study suggested that oriental medical treatments are significantly applicable to the monoplegia and pain after lumbar HIVD operation. And further studies ire required to identify underlying mechanism of the treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to report the effect of oriental medical treatment in the paraplegia and pain after epidural nerve block. Methods : A 39-year-old woman who underwent epidural nerve block at a local clinic was admitted with motor weakness of lower limbs, severe lower radiating pain and decreased sensation when voiding and defecating. We treated her by acupuncture, a herbal medicine, a bee venom injection, moxibustion and cupping treatment and physical theraphy from 11th July 2008 to 14th October 2008. Results : After treatment, most symptoms decreased, VAS(Visual Analog Scale) score changed from 9 to 2. and examinated muscle power changed from 2-3 to 4-5. Conclusions : Our study suggested that oriental medical treatments are significantly effective in the paralplegia and pain after epidural nerve block. And further studies will be aid to identify underlying mechanism of treatment.