• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2017

Objectives: To inform a clinical case of a refractory levator ani syndrome, that was improved by treatments of traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Methods: A 55-years old female had complained severe anorectal pain which didn't respond to Western medicine therapeutics during 5 months including 45-day hospitalization. Whereas the symptom was rapidly resolved by the treatment in a Korean medicine hospital, and the clinical outcome was monitored. Result: There was no abnormality explaining the anorectal pain from blood tests, gastrointestinal endoscopy, sonogram and computed tomography for abdomen and pelvis. The patient was diagnosed with a levator ani syndrome. Based on the typical feature of tenderness of lower abdomen as well as beating sign around belly, an herbal drug, Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang (柴胡加龍骨牡蠣湯) was prescribed. In addition, the warm acupuncture at BL 31 to BL 33 and moxibustion on lower abdomen were given to the patient. The anorectal pain was radically reduced from treatment 7-day, and it almost disappeared within treatment 25-day. Conclusion: This case report would provide information for the potential of TKM therapies focused on the refractory levator ani syndrome which no satisfactory therapy exist.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2024

This case report highlights the efficacy of traditional Korean medicine in treating chronic levator ani syndrome. A 47-year-old male suffered from chronic anorectal pain for 14 years. Over the last 5 months, the severity and frequency of the pain increased, and he was unresponsive to Western medicine and acupuncture outside Korea. The patient reported moderate anorectal pain from early morning until midday, affecting daily efficiency and concentration. The pain was triggered by defecation and alleviated by lying down. He was diagnosed with levator ani syndrome related to "cold symptoms of the liver and kidney - Yin", for which modified Nangan-jeon was prescribed. Indirect moxibustion (CV4, Ki1), Aconitum ciliare Decaisne pharmacopuncture (GV1, BL33), and acupuncture (HT7, ST36, SP6, LR3, LI4) were also administered weekly. After 8 weeks, the anorectal pain decreased by 2 points on a numeric rating scale, leading to patient satisfaction and return to his home country.