• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2023

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic and recurrent upper gastrointestinal symptom that has no organic cause. A 49-year-old male patient positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) visited the clinic because of FD and constipation. He received complex Korean medicine treatment, including acupuncture and herbal medicines, from April 14 to July 18, 2022 (27 times) in the outpatient department. Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), FD-related quality of life (FD-QoL), Euro QoL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) were used as evaluation tools in this study. Symptoms were relieved after 3 months of treatment, and his QoL improved (GSRS, 15-3; NDI, 110-21; FD-QoL, 52-20 [eating status, 10-3; liveliness status, 12-8; psychological, 1-0; role-functioning status, 18-9]; EQ-VAS, 40-65; NRS, 8-4). The results revealed that complex Korean medicine treatment could alleviate FD and constipation in patients with HIV.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was aimed to facilitate mutual comprehension between Western and Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) by analyzing recognition of medical school students on traditional medical prescription and treatment such as herbal medicines and acupuncture. Methods : We conducted a survey targeting medical school students of four medical schools from April through May 2009, and analyzed 208 cases responded. Results : Survey results revealed that medical school students took knowledge of traditional medicine from TV programs and on the Web in general. They thought they had considerable traditional medical knowledge but did not almost understand for professional contents. Regardless of some positive recognition for traditional herbal medicine, negative perspectives were more common and its safety and efficacy on the drug reference were considered as a major reason. On the other hand, recognition on acupuncture was comparatively positive. Scientific data for both herbal medicine and acupuncture are lacking in reality but the attitude only for acupuncture was different. Of the survey respondents, 57.8% had negative attitude against diagnostic methods of TKM and 59.1% opposed to the usage of modern medical equipments by TKM doctors. With regard to the future position of TKM, they tacitly approved that TKM would be absorbed into the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and importance of TKM objectification, followed by Government's support. Conclusions : Medical school students neither affirm nor deny TKM as a whole but the state of awareness for each item was similar to the physician. In terms of TKM its internal and external innovation would be required to continuously establish objectification of TKM prescription and scientific research on treatment technology.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.41-46
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• 2020

Objectives : According to 2013 statistics, the primary infertility rate is 13.5%. The current situation is much worse than that reported, so it is even emerging as a social problem. The purpose of this study is to analyze the 5 cases of successful infertility treatment with herbal treatment and to give hope to the infertile couple to become pregnant and to suggest the possibility of herbal treatment in infertility treatment. Methods : We administered Jokyungjongok-tang gamibang as a herbal medicine and treated with acupuncture, moxibustion. Treatment was done once or twice a week. The herbal medicines were taken 30 minutes after meals and 3 times a day. While taking the herbal medicine, they were prohibited from eating flour, pork, liquor, tobacco and coffee. Patient status was assessed by consultation through pulse, tongue and abdominal diagnosis. The diagnosis of pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography at hospitals and the success of the treatment was judged based on healthy birth. Results : Patients had common features, such as lower abdominal pain, menstrual cramps, and blood clots during menstruation. Herbal medicine combined with acupuncture, moxibustion improved patients' overall fatigue and reduced the body's coldness. Since then, the dysmenorrhea and blood clots have decreased, and the digestion condition has improved. Therefore they became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy baby. Conclusion : Jokyungjongok-tang gamibang was effective in improving the body's coldness and uterine condition and was successful in pregnancy and helped to give birth to a healthy baby.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.217-227
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• 2015

Objectives : This study is an evaluation of the effectiveness of treatments combined with Korean medical methods, such as relaxative Chuna and Gangchuk herbal medicines, for patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Methods : In this study, medical records of ten patients who experienced failed back surgery syndrome and participated in intensive Korean medical treatment were reviewed. All patients received relaxative Chuna and acupuncture along with Gangchuk herbal medicines during hospitalization. Numeric rating scale(NRS) in the degree of 0 to 10, pain-free walking distance(PFWD) and oswestry disability index(ODI) were measured before and after treatments. Results : The patients were hospitalized for an average of 22 days. The average NRS of lumbar pain in all patients decreased from $7.7{\pm}1.6$ to $3.2{\pm}2.2$ and the average NRS decline of leg pain was from $7.7{\pm}1.7$ to $3.2{\pm}2.2$, both of which indicate statistical significance(p < 0.05). PFWD in all patients increased from 113.3 m to 798.1 m on average. The average ODI in all patients significantly improved from $63.9{\pm}7.0$ to $43.9{\pm}6.9$(p < 0.05). Conclusions : The treatments combined with Korean medical methods for failed back surgery syndrome patients are clinically effective and viable.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.57-60
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• 2017

Objectives: Studies involving patients with spinobulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), which is often referred to as Kennedy's disease, similar to those involving patients with progressive muscular disease (PMD), are rare. This paper reports a case study involving the use of Korean medicine to treat a patient with SBMA. Methods: We treated a patient with SBMA with unique symptoms by using various kinds of pharmacopuncture and herbal medicines for about two and a half years. After the treatment had ended, we evaluated the patient's conditions and the side effects of the treatment. Results: After treatment, the patient's symptoms were stabilized, and the patient suffered no abnormalities or side effects. No special changes in condition were noted during treatment period, and the patient was very satisfied with his response to treatment. Conclusion: Existing treatments have some considerable after effects and are difficult to apply in domestic clinics. In this regard, our findings should open possibilities for new clinical guidelines. Nevertheless, the limitations associated with this case study should be resolved, and more studies need to be conducted.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.87-98
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find a literature study of infantile anorexia clinical cases with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to utilize with Korean medicine treatment methods. Methods 5 TCM journals with the highest impact factors were searched and selected among the journals listed in www.cnki.net. The search keywords were, "Children's Anorexia", "Infantile Apositia", "Infantile Anorexia", "Anorexia Nervosa", and "child of anorexia". he search was limited to the publication date from 2000 to 2012. Results Total 20 studies were selected: Acupuncture (5), Herbal medicine (9), Complex Treatment (3), External Application (2) and Moxibustion (1). Among the Acupuncture related studies, 1 study tested the effect of Sifeng (EX-UE10, 四縫), 3 studies tested the effect of Sifeng (EX-UE10, 四縫) and other acupoints treatment together, and 1 study tested the effect of combination of other acupoints. In all these studies, the study groups showed better therapeutic effects compared to the control groups. The Herbal medicine related studies showed the improvement in appetite and weight as a result of Herbal Medicines treatment. Among the Complex Treatment related studies, 2 studies tested the effect of Acupuncture and Chiropractic co-treatment, 1 study tested the effect of Moxibustion and Herbal medicine co-treatment. In all these studies, symptoms of Infantile anorexia showed significantly improved. Other papers related to External Application and Moxibustion treatment were reported improving in appetite and had other the clinical effects as well. Conclusions Clinical studies testing the effect of TCM for the treatment of Infantile Anorexia have been conducted in small scales, and all the studies showed a certain level of symptom improvement of the patients in the study groups. These results implicate that the methods in Korean medicine can be highly potential treatment options for the treatment of Infantile Anorexia. Accurate and well-controlled studies in large scale would be required to prove the effect of Korean medicine for the treatment of patients with Infantile Anorexia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to review the acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) in China. Methods : The literatures were searched using the database-China Academic Journals(CAJ)(~2015.1.). Clinical studies of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for GERD such as randomized controlled trial(RCT), non-randomized controlled trial(NRCT), case series, or case report were included. Results : Thirty studies met our inclusion criteria: 24 RCTs, 4 NRCTs, 1 case series, 1 case report. Various kinds of treatment such as body acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, acupuncture therapy with finger on back-shu point, electroacupuncture, acupoint injection, auricular acupuncture, and moxibustion were used in the clinical studies. The treatment groups take herbal medicines at the same time in 16 studies, and proton pump inhibitor(PPI) and histamine 2 receptor antagonist were used as a comparative treatment in the most of studies. Acupuncture or moxibustion treatments were done daily or 2~3 times a week for 5 days~18 weeks. All of studies reported higher effective rate in the acupuncture or moxibustion treatment group compared to the western medication control group. Conclusions : The results of this study could be used for the future practice and the clinical research about the acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for GERD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aims to report the effectiveness and safety of Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods : A 73-year-old man who had suffered from severe facial pain for one year and who had had a healthy tooth extracted due to the pain is reported. He could not eat or sleep due to the severe pain. Acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, herbal steam, and herbal medicines were used for the treatment. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and adverse events were checked daily, and other outcomes (Baseline Evaluation, Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], Short Form Health Survey 36-Bodily Pain [SF-36 BP], and Patient Global Assessment [PGA]) were measured at hospital admission and discharge. During the follow-up examinations, his pain was evaluated roughly, without using any formal measurements, on the basis of a global assessment. Results : All measured parameters, including pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction were noted to have improved at the time of discharge compared to admission: VAS from 10 to 1.5, NRS from 7-8 to 1-2, and SF-36 BP from 0 to 22.5, and the patient's global assessment was somewhat improved. He did not take any analgesics after discharge and noted only mild adverse events, like pain where the acupuncture and thread embedding acupuncture needles were inserted. His pain relief was maintained for 6 months. Conclusion : Korean medicine with thread embedding acupuncture might be a safe and effective treatment for TN. In the future, larger sample sizes and high quality randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm its efficacy and safety.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.120-132
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• 2020

Objectives: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is defined as severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) with weight loss, ketonuria, and electrolyte imbalance. Many NVP or HG patients get hard to take herbal medicine since the smell and taste of it. Therefore, the distilled herbal medicines are often used in clinical practice. A 32-year-old, 14-week pregnant female was admitted for 3 weeks at a Korean medicine hospital. She was experiencing HG accompanied by 19.61% (10 kg) weight loss, ketonuria, and electrolyte imbalance. The patient received Bosaeng-tang gagambang in its distilled form, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, sticker needles, cupping, moxibustion, and hydration during admission. The severity and frequency of NVP, weight loss, and ketonuria significantly improved without any side effects. Before the therapy, she admitted to two obstetrics and gynecology hospitals, 1 week each, with no improvement. This case presents the therapeutic potential of Korean medicine including herbal medicine in its diluted form for HG and NVP.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to present the clinical guidelines for Korean medical treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Methods : Reports for Korean medical treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome were collected, analyzed and summarized from the Electronic journal search since 2000. Results : In Korean medicine treatment of irritable bowel syndrome used herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal acupuncture, and auricular acupuncture. Herb medicines were administered according to the patient's case by a prescription of considering physical condition and symptoms. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapies stimulate the median points of LR(足厥陰肝經), ST(足陽明胃經), LI(手陽明大腸經), SI(手太陽小腸經). The assessment items for Korean medical treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome were abdominal symptoms, defecation, autonomic nervous system changes, stress, Live blood condition and mental health. Conclusions : Through continued research need to develop better treatment strategies for Korean treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.