• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.265-271
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• 2023

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a disease that narrows the spinal canal, causing neurological symptoms. To date, there have been several reports on traditional Korean medicine treatments for OPLL; however, there is no study on complex acupuncture treatment. Herein, we report 2 cases of cervical OPLL involving cervical pain, upper limb radiating pain, and hypoesthesia. The patients were diagnosed using C-spine computed tomography and did not receive any treatment at any other hospital. The patients were treated with acupuncture treatments, including electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and acupotomy, at Daegu Korean Medicine Hospital at Daegu Haany University. The results were assessed using the visual analog scale, neck disability index, and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, and the results indicated an improvement in the symptoms. Thus, this study demonstrated that complex acupuncture treatment may be helpful for treating cervical OPLL and improving the quality of life.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2016

Objectives : This study reports the clinical effects of Korean medical treatment on a patient with suspected diabetic muscle infarction (DMI). Methods : A patient diagnosed with spinal stenosis was suspected of DMI. The patient was treated with acupuncture, bee-venom pharmacopuncture and gastrocnemius stretching. Symptoms were evaluated by verbal numeric rating scale (vNRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Manchester foot pain and disability index (MFPDI). Results : After approximately 5 weeks of Korean medical treatment, including 8 bee-venom treatments, vNRS, ODI, and MFPDI all decreased. Conclusion : The results suggest that Korean medical treatment is effective for treating pain caused by DMI.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.125-145
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• 2009

Objectives : To analyze the inclusion criteria of participants, control group interventions, and the results of prior studies of acupuncture for OA. Also to identify aspects of the procedure that are associated with positive outcomes in order to establish ideal acupuncture treatment model. And to assess the methodological quality of the trials with modified Jadad score and FEAS in order to evaluate the quality of prior studies and find out whether or not acupuncture has a positive effect in treating OA. Methods : Articles up to the date of November 2008 were searched via computerized databases of PubMed, Journal of Korean Oriental Medicine, The Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Journal of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine. Bibliographies of reviewed papers were also searched and reviewed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews concerning the effects of acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) on symptoms of osteoarthritis of the human knee, published in English and Korean were included. The acupuncture treatment methods of the reviewed trials were assessed based on STRICTA. And the methodological quality of the trials was assessed by modified Jadad score and FEAS. Results : Twenty one trials of acupuncture for OA were analyzed. Based on the results of this review the following factors might contribute to optimal results from acupuncture treatment. 1) Usage of $ST_{35}$, $GB_{34$, $EX_{32}$, $ST_{36}$ and $SP_9$ acupuncture points. 2) More than four acupuncture points should be used. 3) More than 15 minutes of needle retention time. 4) Needle length-40mm and diameter-0.30mm 5) Usage of EA 6) more than 10 times treatment 7) Treatment frequency of more than once a week, 8) Treatment duration longer than 6 to 8 weeks. Conclusions : High quality clinical trials of Acupuncture for OA is still in lack. Future investigators must concentrate their attentions on the quality of acupuncture treatment itself used in the trials as well as the methodological quality of trials.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.199-209
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• 2008

Objectives : To explore the adverse events and safety following facial cosmetic acupuncture treatment (Miso-Acupuncture). Subjects and methods : This study was a retrospective survey of practitioner's reports. The practitioners worked as facial cosmetic acupuncturists, gave informed consent, and completed a case report form between July and November of 2007. On this form, practitioners were asked to report the degree of adverse events relating to the Miso-Acupuncture, the total safety of the treatment, and reasons patients gave for quitting treatment. The practitioners in this study were all Oriental Medicine Doctors(OMD) who had trained at the Miso-Acupuncture Academy for 40 hours we received 23 final report cases. Results : In this study, adverse events following Miso-Acupuncture treatment were mild bruising(15 ; 65.2%), bleeding(12 ; 52.2%), pain(8 ; 34.8%), fatigue(7 ; 30.4%), headache(5 ; 21.7%), and others(10 ; 43.5%). The average degree of adverse events was between mild and moderate, which needs no extra treatment. The total safety of treatment for 16 weeks was between safe and nearly safe, and there was no need to quit treatment in spite of mild adverse events. Eight patients(34.8%) quit treatment, almost all for personal reasons unrelated to the Miso-Acupuncture. Conclusions : These results suggest that the Miso-Acupuncture has no serious adverse events and is a relatively safe treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.290-299
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• 2012

Objectives : 'Obtaining qi(deqi)' is a sensation experienced by a patient or an acupuncturist during acupuncture treatment, and it is considered to be an important factor in acupuncture treatment. However, previous studies reported conflicting results about the relationship between 'obtaining qi(deqi)' sensation and the effect of acupuncture treatment. Also, most of the previous studies investigating 'obtaining qi(deqi)' and the acupuncture effect, dealt with the analgesic effect of acupuncture. The objective of this study was to analyze the relation between the 'obtaining qi(deqi)' and the anti-itching effect of acupuncture treatment. Methods : Twenty one healthy subjects participated in this study. At the first visit, itch was induced to all subjects using intradermal injection of histamine on the lower arm. At the second visit, acupuncture treatment was applied using LI11 and 'obtaining qi(deqi)' was assessed. After acupuncture treatment, itch was induced again, and itch VAS and skin flare were assessed. Results: At the 6,8,10 minutes after histamine injection, the change of itch VAS between before and after acupuncture treatment was significant. Among 'obtaining qi(deqi)', subjects reported that 'dull ache', 'pricking', 'heavy' were most strong. Total score of 'obtaining qi(deqi)' sensation was not related to the change of itch VAS or skin flare. The 'electric shock' sensation is related to the change of itch VAS, and 'bruised' and 'heavy' sensations were related to the change of skin flare. Conclusions : Total 'obtaining qi(deqi)' is not related to the anti-itching effect of acupuncture, but several sensations showed relationship with the effect of acupuncture on itch severity and skin flare. Further researches based on various symptoms or acupuncture points, are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.320-324
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• 2021

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative spinal condition that can have unpredictable improvement and worsening of symptoms which include low back pain, radiating pain, claudication, and degenerative lumbar scoliosis affecting quality of life. In this study, thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) was used as a conservative treatment for LSS in combination with complex Korean medicine treatments (acupuncture, herbal medicines, and physical therapy). The treatment was evaluated using the numerical rating scale, walking distance and duration, and inclination of radiological lumbar scoliosis according to antalgic posture. TEA was performed 27 times between June 8, 2020, and March 16, 2021. The patient showed improvement in numerical rating scale score from 7 to 2, pain-free walking distance from 10 m to 900 m, and scoliosis inclination following treatment. The findings of this study suggest that TEA may be helpful in the treatment of LSS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41
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• pp.168-175
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• 2024

The butterfly vertebra is a rare congenital anomaly of the spine, which arises from an asymmetric fusion defect in the embryonic vertebral column. This report delineates an integrative Korean medicine treatment administered to two patients who presented with low back pain associated with asymptomatic butterfly vertebrae. The patients received comprehensive treatment comprising acupuncture, Chuna therapy, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping therapy. The efficacy of the treatments was assessed utilizing diverse parameters, including a numerical rating scale, range of motion of the lumbar spine, Oswestry Disability Index, EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level, and patient global impression of change. After the treatment, a notable improvement was noted in the evaluated indicators. These positive outcomes suggest that integrative Korean medicine treatment is suitable for patients experiencing low back pain associated with asymptomatic butterfly vertebrae.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of $PC_6$ moxibustion treatment for reducing mental stress using power spectrum analysis of the heart rate variability(HRV). Methods : 20 healthy volunteers(simple rest group : 10, moxibustion treatment group : 10) participated in this study. After instrumentation and 5-minutes rest period, mental stress by operation was provided for 5-minutes. HRV was recorded before and after the mental stress. And then the simple rest group rested for 15-minutes. The moxibustion treatment group was treated by $PC_6$ moxibustion and rested for 15-minutes. And then HRV was recorded. Results : In simple rest group, LF norm and HF norm showed a significant change after mental stress. In moxibustion treatment group, LF, HF, LF norm, HF norm and LF/HF showed a significant change after mental stress. But there were no significant difference between two groups(p>0.05) except HF. In moxibustion treatment group, LF, LF norm, HF norm and LF/HF showed a significant change after moxibustion treatment. There were significant differences between two groups(p<0.05). Conclusions : The result suggests that $PC_6$ moxibustion treatment can regulate and prevent the alteration of autonomic nerve system by mental stress.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2021

The degenerative spinal cord disease cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), and cervical myelopathy caused by trauma, can result in debilitating symptoms affecting quality of life. This study used acupotomy and other Korean medicine treatments (acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapy) to improve the symptoms of CSM and cervical myelopathy. The visual analog scale, the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA scale), the Nurick grading system, and the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale were used as the evaluation criteria to determine the effectiveness of treatment. The functional status of both patients improved from mild to moderate, with improved gait, local sensation, and level of pain. The degree of spinal cord injury remained the same. The findings of this study suggest that combined Korean medicine treatments including acupotomy may be helpful in the treatment of CSM and cervical myelopathy.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.299-315
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• 2000

Literatual Study on the Effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Bee Jeung was studies from the viewpoint of therapeutic acpuncture and moxibustion effect. And the results were as follows. 1. Generally speaking, the cause of Bee Jeung was distributed Wind(風), Coldness(寒), Wetness(濕) of meridian. 2. The symptom of Bee Jeung was dysesthesia and dyscinesia. 3. The therapeutic acupuncture and moxibustion of Bee Jeung was expel devil(祛邪) of expel wind(祛風), disperse coldness(散寒), eliminate wetness(除濕) and rectify energy(調氣). 4. The treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion had a rule generally. 5. The most used meridian was The Leg Greater Yang Bladder Meridian(足太陽膀胱經), and acupoint was Yangnungch'on(陽陵泉). 6. In the therapeutic acupuncture and moxibustion of Bee Jeung, Pung Bee was used by Tam-Kyonjong(膽肩井), Han Bee was used by Samumgyo(三陰交), Soup Bee was used by Hyonjong(懸鍾).