• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2020

Background: Several Korean medical doctors have been practicing applied kinesiology (AK), invented in 1964 by Dr. George J Goodheart, USA. Although the efficacy of traditional acupuncture (TA) and pharmacopucture treatment for lumbar conditions/diseases has been examined, the possible benefits of combining TA and AK have not been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to report the effects of combining TA and AK treatment for lumbar disorders using the Japanese Orthopedic Association lumbar score (JOALS) assessment. Methods: There were 21 outpatients treated at Samse Korean Traditional Hospital between March 2018 and September 2018, who presented with L4/L5 or L5/S1 root radiculopathy associated with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar herniation of intervertebral disk (LHID). They were treated 10×(2 sessions per week, for 5 weeks) with TA and AK approaches that included a category block, manipulation or strain/counterstrain treatments. The primary outcome was mainly assessed using the JOALS score which was used before (0 ×), during (5 ×), and after treatment (10 ×). Results: There were 19 patients diagnosed with LSS and 2 were diagnosed with LHID. Using the JOALS assessment, TA and AK combined approaches improved the lumbar conditions of all 21 patients after 5 × treatmentsand continued to improve after 10 × treatments (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Combined TA and AK treatment was effective in treating spinal conditions/diseases. Prospective, relevant, well-controlled protocols for TA and AK therapies for various conditions are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.73-92
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to understand the treatment process experiences of patients with whiplash associated disorder treated with Traditional Korean Medicine. Methods : This study was based on grounded theory. We recruited a total of 10 participants between the ages of 19 and 65, who were hospitalized at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and received treatment after traffic accidents from January to October 2014. Data was collected from in-depth interviews and notes, and was analyzed using open coding, axial coding and selective coding. Results : The core category of the phenomenon: 'The experiences of the treatment process for patients with whiplash associated disorder treated with Traditional Korean Medicine', was elicited as 'The selection of Traditional Korean Medicine treatment over other treatments for holistic healing that supplement for the deficiencies of Western medical treatment'. Conclusion :' The experiences of treatment process for patients with whiplash associated disorder treated with Traditional Korean Medicine', was elicited as 'The selection of the Traditional Korean Medicine treatment over other treatments for holistic healing that complements deficiency of the Western medical treatment'.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.105-112
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• 2015

Objectives To investigate clinical effects of needle embedding acupuncture treatments for chronic low back pain patients. Methods 30 patients with chronic low back pain were recruited and randomized into two groups-the embedding acupuncture group or the placebo. At baseline, the age, height, weight, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were measured. And surface electromyography (SEMG) data of both erector spinae at L2, L4 level were also measured on both groups and asymmetry index (AI) were calculated. The embedding or placebo acupuncture treatment was performed on the erector spinae according to SEMG values; immediately after the first evaluation and 48 hours after the first visit. After 96 hours of intervention, the VAS, ODI score and SEMG of both erector spinae were measured again. Statistical significance was determined using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test or the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results The mean VAS, ODI score after treatment was decreased significantly compared with baseline on both groups. And the VAS, ODI score and AI of the embedding acupuncture group was more decreased significantly than the placebo (p<0.05). Conclusions The results suggest that embedding acupuncture for chronic low back pain patients was effective on the VAS pain score, ODI score and AI of the erector spinae.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.79-88
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• 2020

Objectives This study was performed to research the trends of Chinese acupuncture treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods We searched clinical studies about Chinese acupuncture treatment for AS through China National Knowledge Infrastructure. We analyzed the characteristics of selected studies according to research design, sample size, publication year, treatment methods, evaluation criteria and adverse events. Results 16 studies published from 2015 to 2020 were selected. They consisted of 11 randomized controlled trials and 5 case reports. In these studies, several types of acupuncture treatments were performed and especially there were many treatments that applied thermal stimulation of needles. The most commonly used evaluation criteria was effective rate. Conclusions This study showed that acupuncture treatment could be effective for AS. It suggested that various studies should be conducted to provide reliable evidence about acupuncture treatment for AS in Korea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Korean medicine combination treatments for recurring back pain after medical procedures. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on 311 patients admitted to Daejoen Jaseng hospital who were diagnosed with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral discs. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not they had undergone at least one medical procedure on the lumbar spine. They were assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions Index (EQ-5D) before and after treatment. Results: Patients who experienced a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group A), statistically significantly improved EQ-5D and ODI scores. The NRS scores also decreased however it was not statistically significant. Patients who had not undergone a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group B) had statistically significantly improved ODI and NRS scores. The average EQ-5D score decreased however, there was no statistically significant difference before and after scores in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in variation in EQ-5D, ODI, and NRS scores before and after treatment between the groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that even after a bilateral procedure and surgery, when pain in patients with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc did not decrease, (as in failed back surgery syndrome), Korean medicine combination treatment of postoperative pain was helpful and there was improvement in daily life.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review clinical studies of facial palsy sequelae treatment Methods : We used search engines such as PUBMED, OASIS, RISS. We limited sequelae as the cases after three months from the onset. We excluded the studies including operational treatments. We considered papers pubulished only after year 2000. Results : The kinds of treatments were acupunture treatment, physical therapy, Botulinum toxin, and steroids and antiviral agent. Four studies about acupuncture treatment were searched. Two were case studies and the other two were case series studies. Six studies about physical therapy were searched and they were devided into three according to their specific methods - neuromuscular training and biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and facial exercises. We reviewed three studies about Botulinum toxin and 3 studies about combined therapy. Conclusions : Evidence level of the acupuncture studies was not high. Neuromuscular retraining and biofeedback therapies were shown to be effective especially to synkinesis. Mime therapy, one of the facial exercise has significant effect. Electrical stimulation is thought to activate the plasticity of central nerve system. Botulimum Toxin has effective temporary treatment. Steroid therapy increases recovery rate and reduces sequelae.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Cervus elaphus herbal-acupuncture on patient with polyneuritis, who shows sensory disorder on both hands, severe pain on left foot and ambulation difficulty due to weakness on left leg. Methods : We treated the patient by Cervus elaphus Herbal-acupuncture. Other treatments were acupunture, herbal medication, several rehabilitative therapies without western medication. We used evaluation scale including VAS(Visual Analogue Scale), MRC(Medicak Research Council) and Thermological Difference of between hand and foot. Results and Conclusions : In the results, the symptoms were improved gradually, and VAS and MRC were also numerically improved. Thermological Difference of between feet was decreased from$4.40^{\circ}C\;to\;0.26^{\circ}C$. In this case, a patient was treated by oriental medical treatments without western medication, and relatively the relatively the result was more effective.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.99-105
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the functional and clinical improvement effect on temporomandibular disorder by additional Hominis Placenta and bee venom herbal acupuncture treatment. Methods : A patient was treated with Hominis Placenta, bee venom herbal acupuncture, simple acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, and herbal medicine. We evaluated the improvement by visual analogue scale(VAS) score, mouth opening range, and X-ray image. Results : The VAS score was significantly decreased and mouth opening range was increased after treatment. X-ray image showed improved change after treatments. Conclusions : We think Hominis Placenta and bee venom herbal acupuncture treatment mainly contributed to the improvement of temporomandibular disorders. Further study is needed for the confirmation of this effect of on temporomandibular disorders.

• 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.39 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with storage, voiding, and post-micturition reduce quality of life and cause mental health problems. In traditional medicine, Baliao points have been empirically used to treat urinary system diseases. In this review, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sacral acupuncture on Baliao points with sham treatment, other remedies, or other acupoints were retrieved from 8 electronic databases up to June 2021. Sixteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using a risk-of-bias (ROB) tool. Most of the evaluation indicators used in the included RCTs showed that sacral acupuncture had a significant therapeutic effect compared with the sham control intervention groups, and other remedies. However, all studies using acupoints (other than the Baliao points) as a control intervention had a "high" ROB and only reported secondary processed information, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of sacral acupuncture treatment for LUTS. No serious adverse effects were reported for sacral acupuncture, and only a low number of minor side effects were observed. These results suggest that sacral acupuncture could be considered as an alternative to existing treatments, with the added benefit of low cost. Large-scale, long-term RCTs are required in the future.