• Title/Summary/Keyword: meridian system

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Hado and Russell's Paradox (하도(河圖)와 러셀 역설)

  • Kim, Byoung-Soo
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.583-590
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    • 2007
  • The significance of Han medicine (韓醫學), the Korean traditional medicine, that has lasted throughout the past couple millenniums relies upon Han Philosophy distinguished by its uniqueness. In brief, the specificity of Han medicine is characterized by unity of spirit and body, part and whole. According to this theory, when curing a frozen shoulder, it is usually cured by acupuncturing the area around the part that aches, but also doing so on the area that is totally different from the aching part such as the opposite part of the body. In fact, this can be pursued only through aspects that enable one to realize the unity of part and whole, and a ground for this possibility bases upon the crux of Eastern Philosophy, I-ching(역), such as theory of Five Elements (음양오행) and Three Pillars(삼재). In Western set theory, the issues of Class(부류) and elements(요원), whole and part were independently discussed in the area of mereology, and the question of part and whole was encountered with aporia and paradox since Greek ancient philosophy. At the turn of this century, many philosophers endeavored to pursue academic inquiry to resolve this paradox, especially by Russell and Whitehead through ${\ll}$Principia Mathematica${\gg}$ at the beginning of this century. in the process, there came out a phrase 'Russell's Paradox'. Russell himself proposed a typological resolution as an answer to the inquiry. However, 'Russell's Paradox' still remains as an aporia even till present days. During medieval period, this inquiry was even considered as 'insolubia'. Throughout this paper, 1 attempt to provide an analytic aspect on 'Russell's Paradox' from an unique thinking method and perspective of Han medicine that embodies the concept of 'unity of part and whole'. To do so, 1 suggest a physiological model in the first place depicted by diagrams of Circle 원, Quadrangle 방, Triangle 각(CQT) that portray the logic of Hado or Hotu 하도 which is 'the pattern from the river Ho'. That is to suggest that CQT원방각 of Hado can De a logical foundation that explains the notions of spirit (정신,뇌), internal organs(장부), and meridian system which functions as a solution to the question of 'Russell's Paradox'. There are precedent academic works examining the issue from philosophical aspect such as Sangil Kim's ${\ulcorner}$Han medicine과 러셀역설 해의${\lrcorner}$ Han Medicine and Resolution of Russell's Paradox(2005), and this analysis will further attempt to critically examine such works from a perspective of Han medicine.

Perceptions and Experiences of Acupuncture among Expatriates Living in Korea: A Qualitative Study (국내 거주 외국인의 침 치료 경험과 한의학에 대한 인식: 질적연구)

  • Lee, Seungmin Kathy;Park, Inhyo;Miller, David B.;Lee, Sangjae
    • Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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    • v.37 no.3
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    • pp.172-182
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    • 2020
  • Objectives : In this study, we conducted a focus group interview among expatriates living in Korea, to investigate their experiences and perceptions of acupuncture and Korean Medicine in order to improve the usage of Korean Medicine in the medical tourism market. Methods : The inclusion criteria for the focus group interview was: (1) participants between the age of 20 to 75 years old; (2) those who had lived in Korea for more than 90 days, and (3) those who were able to express their thoughts freely in English. The participants were informed that the interviews will be recorded and transcribed. We ended recruitment once saturation of materials was met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed after each interview. Results : The interviews were held between June to December 2016. Twenty-four participants were recruited but four dropped out and a total of twenty participants successfully finished the interviews. Six focus group interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed that Korean Medicine was relatively less known compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Participants automatically associated acupuncture with the management of pain or stress and replied that these were the areas that they thought acupuncture would be most effective. Positive experiences with acupuncture and with the acupuncture practitioners were factors that promoted the use of acupuncture whereas lack of awareness, accessibility and accreditation were factors that hindered its use. Other factors that hindered the use of acupuncture was needle phobia and the perception that acupuncture lacks scientific evidence. Conclusions : Awareness on Korean Medicine and acupuncture is low. Participants lack awareness on what diseases acupuncture can treat, the scientific evidence behind the mechanism of action, and the rigorous education system that Korean Medicine doctors must go through to get their license. Rigorous marketing should be encouraged, which includes greater exposure in the media, more honest reviews from patients, and promotion of the scientific evidence base.

Analysis of Case Studies of Treating Atopic Dermatitis - focusing on Korean Herbal Medicine Used in Cases - (아토피 피부염 증례 연구 분석 - 한약 처방을 중심으로 -)

  • Han, Chang-Yi;Park, Jung-Gun;Kang, Dong-Won;Park, So-Young;Kim, Bong-Hyun;Kim, Yoon-Bum;Kim, Kyu-Seok
    • The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.151-163
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    • 2019
  • Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in cases and to find the general tendency of herbal medicine treatment and to establish the primary treatment direction of Atopic dermatitis. Methods : In the domestic databases, Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System(OASIS), Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal(KTKP), National Discovery for Science Leader(NDSL), Research Information Sharing Service(RISS), we selected among the papers published in the last 20 years using search terms related to "Atopic dermatitis & Cases". Reports based on Sasang constitutional medicine and Six meridian pattern identification were excluded and a total of 21 papers were finally selected. Results : 113 herbal medicines were retrieved from 21 papers. The most commonly used herbs are Scutellariae Radix(黃芩), Rehmanniae Radix(地黃), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(甘草). Atractylodis Rhizoma(蒼朮), Akebiae Caulis(木通), Smilacis Rhizoma(土茯?), Paeoniae Radix(芍藥) used mostly when Oozing exists, Trichosanthis Radix (瓜蔞), Asparagi Radix(天門冬), Persicae Semen(桃仁), Carthami Flos(紅花) used mostly when Dryness, Lichenification, and Pigmentation exist. The average score of SCORAD index was improved after Herbal medicine treatment. Conclusion : Through this study, we could find out the tendency of herbal medicine to treat Atopic dermatitis along with Symptoms.

Effects of Aqua-Acupuncture of Carthami Flos(GV15) on the Changes of Cerebral Hemodynamics in Rats (아문(瘂門)(GV15)의 홍화약침(紅花藥針)이 백서(白鼠)의 뇌혈류역학(腦血流力學) 변동(變動)에 미치는 영향(影響))

  • Ahn, Young-sun;Wei, Tung-shuen;Cho, Myung-rae;Chae, Woo-seok;Yun, Yeo-choong
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.19 no.5
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    • pp.92-111
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    • 2002
  • Objective : Carthami Flos has been used as a herb to promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis in oriental medicine for many centuries, and Amun(GV15) has been used as a meridian point to treat apoplexy etc. To investigate treatment of cerevral vascular disease(CVA) by promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis(活血化瘀法), we observed the experimental effects and mechanism of auqa-acupunture of Carthami Flos(ACF) injected into GV15 on cerevral hemodynamics and cardiovascular system of rats. Method : Aqua-acupuncture of Carthami Flos(ACF) was injected into GV15, and then we investigated experimental effects and mechanism of ACF on the cerebral hemodynamics[regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), pial arterial diameter(PAD), meal arterial blood pressure(MABP)] and cardiovascular system[cardiac muscle contractile force(CMF), heart rate(HR)I by pretreatment with methylene blue(MTB) and indomethacin(IDN). The changes in rCBF, MABP, CMF and HR were tested by Laser Doppler Flowmetry(LDF), and the changes in PAD was determinated by video microscopy methods and video analyzer. Results :The results were as follows in normal rats ; The changes of rCBF and PAD were significantly increased by ACF($120{\mu}{\ell}/kg$) in a injected time-dependent manner, but MABP was not changed by ACF. The changes of cardiovascular system were increased by ACF in a injected time-dependent manner. And pretreatment with MTB was significantly inhibited ACE induced increase of rCBF and PAD, and was decreased ACF induced increase of HR. And pretreatment with IDN was increased ACF induced MABP and CMF. And the results were as follows in cerebral ischemic rats ; The changes of rCBF was increased stabilizly by treatment with ACF($120{\mu}{\ell}/kg$) in during the period of cerebral reperfusion, but pretreatment with MTB was increased ACF induced increase of rCBF during the period of cerebral reperfusion. The results were as follows in normal rats ; The changes of rCBF and PAD were significantly increased by ACF($120{\mu}{\ell}/kg$) in a injected time-dependent manner, but MABP was not changed by ACF. The changes of cardiovascular system were increased by ACF in a injected time-dependent manner. And pretreatment with MTB was significantly inhibited ACF induced increase of rCBF and PAD, and was decreased ACF induced increase of HR. And pretreatment with IDN was increased ACF induced MABP and CMF. And the results were as follows in cerebral ischemic rats ; The changes of rCBF was increased stabilizly by treatment with ACF($120{\mu}{\ell}/kg$) in during the period of cerebral reperfusion, but pretreatment with MTB was increased ACF induced increase of rCBF during the period of cerebral reperfusion Conclusions : In conclusion, ACF causes a diverse response of rCBF, PAD an HR, and action of ACF is mediated by cyclic GMP. I suggested that ACF has an anti-ischemic effect through the improvement of crebral hemodynamics in a transient cerebral ischemia.

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Body Composition Factor Comparisons of the Intracellular Fluid(ICW), Extracellular Fluid(ECW) and Cell Membrane at Acupuncture Points and Non-Acupuncture Points by Inducing Multiple Ionic Changes (생체이온 변화 유발 후 경혈과 비경혈에서의 생체 구조 성분 분석 및 비교를 통한 경혈 특이성 고찰)

  • Kim, Soo-Byeong;Chung, Kyung-Yul;Jeon, Mi-Seon;Shin, Tae-Min;Lee, Yong-Heum
    • Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.66-78
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    • 2014
  • Objectives : The specificity of acupuncture point has been a highly controversial subject. Existing researches said that ion-distribution differences are observed on the acupuncture point. This study was conducted under the assumption that multiple ionic changes induced by muscle fatigue would be different between the acupuncture point with non-acupuncture point. Methods : To induce the identical fatigue, twenty subjects performed the knee extension/flexion exercise using the Biodex System 3. ST32 and ST33 as well as adjacent non-acupuncture points were selected. We measured blood lactate and analyzed the median frequency(MF) and peak torque. To obtain the information on the extracellular fluid(ECW), intracellular fluid(ICW) and cell membrane indirectly, we used the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis(MF-BIA) method. Results : MF, peak torque and blood lactate level of all measurement sites were gradually returned to normal. Re resistance of ST32 had a stronger response, but a non-acupuncture point adjacent to ST33 had a larger response up to 20 minutes post exercise. Ri resistances were similar for both acupoints and non-acupoints. The $C_m$ capacitance of ST32 had a stronger response after inducing fatigue, but ST33 had a smaller response than a non-acupuncture point adjacent to it. Conclusions : In comparison with before and after inducing fatigue, the specificity of acupuncture points was not clearly observed. Hence, we concluded that the body composition factors extraction method had the limitation as a method of finding the specificity of acupuncture points by inducing fatigue.

The Historical Study of Headache in Chinese Ming Dynasty (명대의가(明代醫家)들의 두통(頭痛)에 대한 인식변화에 관한 연구)

  • Chun, Duk-Bong;Maeng, Woong-Jae;Kim, Nam-Il
    • The Journal of Korean Medical History
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.43-56
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    • 2011
  • Everyone once in a life experience headaches as symptoms are very common. According to a study in a country of more than a week and as many as those who have experienced a headache amounts to 69.4%. In addition, the high reported prevalence of migraine in 30s for 80% of all migraine sufferers daily life interfere with work or was affected. In Western medicine, the cause of headaches is traction or deformation of pain induced tissue like scalp, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, fascia, extracranial arteriovenous, nerves, periosteum. But it turns out there are not cause why pain induced tissue is being tracted or deformated. Therefore, most of the western-therapy is mainly conducted with regimen for a temporary symptom reduction. Therefore, I examined how it has been developed in Chinese Ming Dynasty, the perception of headache, change in disease stage and an etiological cause. Oriental medicine in the treatment of headache is a more fundamental way to have an excellent treatment. The recognition of head in "素問($s{\grave{u}}$ $w{\grave{e}}n$)" and "靈樞($l{\acute{i}}ng$ $sh{\bar{u}}$)" began to appear in 'Soul-神($sh{\acute{e}}n$) dwelling place' and 'where to gather all the Yang-'諸陽之會($zh{\bar{u}}$ $y{\acute{a}}ng$ $zh{\bar{i}}$ $hu{\grave{i}}$)'. Also, head was recognized as '六腑($li{\grave{u}}f{\check{u}}$) 淸陽之氣($q{\bar{i}}ng$ $y{\acute{a}}ng$ $zh{\bar{i}}$ $q{\grave{i}}$) and 五臟($w{\check{u}}$ $z{\grave{a}}ng$) 精血($j{\bar{i}}ng$ $xu{\grave{e}}$) gathering place'. More specific structures such as the brain is considered a sea of marrow(髓海-$su{\check{i}}$ $h{\check{a}}i$) in "內經($n{\grave{e}}i$ $j{\bar{i}}ng$)" and came to recognized place where a stroke occurs. Accompanying development of the recognition about head, there had been changed about the perception of headache and the recognition of the cause and mechanism of headache. And the recognition of headache began to be completed in Ming Dynasty through Jin, Yuan Dynasty. Chinese Ming Dynasty, specially 樓英($l{\acute{o}}u$ $y{\bar{i}}ng$), in "醫學綱目($y{\bar{i}}xu{\acute{e}}$ $g{\bar{a}}ngm{\grave{u}}$)", first enumerated prescription in detail by separating postpartum headache. and proposed treatment of headache especially due to postpartum sepsis(敗血-$b{\grave{a}}i$ $xu{\grave{e}}$). 許浚($x{\check{u}}$ $j{\grave{u}}n$) accepted a variety of views without impartial opinion in explaining one kind of headache in "東醫寶鑑($d{\bar{o}}ng-y{\bar{i}}$ $b{\check{a}}oji{\grave{a}}n)$" 張景岳($zh{\bar{a}}ng$ $j{\check{i}}ng$ $yu{\grave{e}}$), in "景岳全書($j{\check{i}}ng$ $yu{\grave{e}}$ $qu{\acute{a}}nsh{\bar{u}}$)", established his own unique classification system-新舊表裏($x{\bar{i}}nji{\grave{u}}$ $bi{\check{a}}ol{\check{i}}$)-, and offered a clear way even in treatment. Acupuncture treatment of headache in the choice of meridian has been developed as a single acupuncture point. Using the classification of headache to come for future generation as a way of locating acupoints were developed. Chinese Ming Dynasty, there are special treatments like 導引按蹻法($d{\check{a}}o$ y ${\check{i}}n$ ${\grave{a}}n$ $ji{\check{a}}o$ $f{\check{a}}$), 搐鼻法($ch{\grave{u}}$ $b{\acute{i}}$ $f{\check{a}})$, 吐法($t{\check{u}}$ $f{\check{a}}$), 外貼法($w{\grave{a}}i$ $ti{\bar{e}}$ $f{\check{a}}$), 熨法($y{\grave{u}}n$ $f{\check{a}}$), 點眼法($di{\check{a}}n$ $y{\check{a}}n$ $f{\check{a}}$), 熏蒸法($x{\bar{u}}nzh{\bar{e}}ng$ $f{\check{a}}$), 香氣療法($xi{\bar{a}}ngq{\grave{i}}$ $li{\acute{a}}of{\check{a}}$). Most of this therapy in the treatment of headache, it is not used here, but if you use a good fit for today's environment can make a difference.

A study of conception of pyo(標).bon(本).joong(中) in the part of woongihak(運氣學) in negeong(內徑) (내경(內徑) 운기편(運氣篇)의 표(標).본(本).중(中) 개념에 대한 연구(硏究))

  • Baik, You Sang;Park, Chan-Guk
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.114-134
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    • 1998
  • The conception of pyo(標) bon(本) joong(中) in the part of woongihak(運氣學) of negeong(內徑) one of the important thing that decides the relation between six gi(六氣) and samyum and samyang(三陰三陽) or between each other's of samyum and samyang itself, it says that the relation of Pyo-rce(表裏). So this conception from the ancient times have been used to explain the theory of meridian(經絡) and organs(五臟六腑) and in other important field of oriental medicine - Sanghannon(傷寒論), it became basis of explanation of pcthoiogical principles in the system of six kyung(六徑). At first, the subject or this study is limited to the rament of $\ll$Somun(素問)$\gg$ in order to find the accurate and original meanings of pyo(標) bon(本) joong(中). And the meanings are studied by the way of expanding it's meaning with basic conceptions of woongihak(運氣學) and astronomy included in negeong(內徑). In this study, the results are summarized as the followings. 1. The contents of - the 68th chapter of negeong(內徑), concerning pyo(標) and joong(中) come under chogi(初氣) and joonggi(中氣) of the same chapter, after consideration of astronomical knowledge. And they become active during the period that last about 30days, a haft of one step(一步) of kaekgi(客氣). 2. Bon(本) as a kind of six gi(六氣) that is revealed from internal principle of something, that is to say Ohhaeng(五行), comes mainly under the kaekgi(客氣) of woongihak(運氣學) with the meaning of 'sign' is thai the specific properties of six gi(六氣) are revealed to our sight, so we can feel that through the change of nature, Joong(中) is the other property hidden in the inside of six gi(六氣), that is a portion of original nature(本性) like the bon(本). 3. The relation of pyo(標) and bon(本) is like that bctween the principle hidden inside in all things(理) and it's expression into the real world(氣) also similar to thai of yumyang(陰陽) and ohhaeng(五行). Therefore bon(本), though it means one of the six gi(六氣), hale the property of ohhaeng(五行) and pyo(標) is revealed, with an appearance of samyum-samyang(三陰三陰). 4. pyo(標) and joong(中) are also the both sides of yum(陰) and yang(陰) that revealed under the change of yumyang-ohhaengl(陰陽五行) in the nature. For example, if the one is yang(陰), the other is yum(陰). In the process that the change of all things is revealed out, first the property of pyo(標) appears strongly and then that of joong(中) appears comparatively weakly. But, in spite of the inhibitive relation of yumyang(陰陽), pyo(標) and joong(中) promote each other. 5. Under the course of change. It happens according to the bon(本), the property of ohhaeng(五行) in the case of soyang(少陽) and taeyum(太陰), because the effect of moisture(濕) and fire(火) that makes hyung(形) and gi(氣) is very strong in the universe. In the case of taeyang(太陽) and soyum(少陰), it happens according to the bon(本) and pyo(標) because they hare the polarity of water and fire(火水), at the same time, are not separated each other. In the case of yangmeong(陽明) and gualyum(厥陰), the change appears only according to the joong(中), but not strongly because the phase of yangmeong(陽明) and gualyum(厥陰) is a lull phase processing to the next one.

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The life and medical idea of Yoo Chang (유창(喩昌)의 생애(生涯)와 의학사상(醫學思想))

  • Kim, Soo-Yeol;Yoon, Chang-Yeol
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
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    • v.4
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    • pp.101-126
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    • 1990
  • At early Cheong (淸) dynasty, in medical aspect by dependent on practical studying attitude that must found a theory only by an evidence, there had been a tendancy that hoped direct research of sages' mind-eye by escaping the theory of individual classes since Geum-Won (金-元) dynasty. Yoo Chang (喩昌), born in Man-Ryeok (萬曆) 12th year of Myung (明) dynasty (A.D.1583) and dead in Gang-Hee (康熙) 3rd year of Cheong (淸) dynasty (A.D.1664). The results were as follows after studying his practical idea of medicine. 1. Yoo Chang, by recognizing the ${\ll}$Sang-Han-Ro${\gg}$ has lost its true meaning after commented by Wang Hee (王熙), Lim Eog (林億), Seong Moo-I (成無巳), etc. according to Bang Yoo-Jip's (方有執) Chak-Gan-Jung-Jeong (錯簡重訂) theory, he diversified the protocal of ${\ll}$Sang-Han-Ro${\gg}$ 397 method and arranged under Six Meridian part. (六經) 2. The theory of Sam-Gang-Jeong-Rip (三綱鼎立) can be summerized Gye-Ji (桂枝) syndrome which is the case of Wind (風) has injured Wi (衛) stage, Ma-hwang (麻黃) syndrome which is the case of Cold (寒) has injured Yeong (榮) stage, Dae-Cheong-Ryong (大靑龍) syndrome which is the case both of Wind-Cold (風寒) has injured Yeong-Wi (榮衛) stage, and there has been Sam-Gang-Jeong-Rip theory by anterior medical practitioners already but the person who formally used its Sam-Gang-Jeong-Rip term is Yoo Chang. 3. Yoo Chang seized the On Byeng (溫病) by dividing three category and in Byon-Jeung-Si-Chi (辨證施治) he influenced to many aspect of establishment of later Byon-Jeung system On-Byong (溫病의 辨證體系) pertaining to Triple-Warmer by O-Dang (吳瑭) introducing Triple-Wanner Theory. (三焦理論) 4. At Chu-Jo-Ron (秋燥論) of ${\ll}$EUi-Moon-Beop-Ryo${\gg}$, while ${\ll}$Nae-Gyeong${\gg}$ describing if humidity injury Lung, then occur a disorder in it, Yoo Chang recognized that of au tuam when dryness injure Lung there occure a disorder is it so he insisted that at this case, must use Cheong-Joe-Goo-Pye method (淸操救肺法) withherbs, pertaing to Gam-Yoo-Ja-Yoon(甘柔滋潤性) property and he invented Cheong-Joe-Goo-Pye-Tang. (淸操救肺湯) 5. Yoo Chang', so called, Dae-Gi (大氣) indicates Yang-Gi (陽氣) of chest, he insisted that man's creation and every physiological activity depends on maintainence of Dae-Gi, and it integrate Yeong-Gi (榮氣), Wea-Gi (衛氣), Jong-Gi (宗氣), Jang-Boo-Ji-Gi (臟腑之氣), Gyeong-Rak-Ji-Gi. (經絡之氣) 6. Yoo Chang's expression about partical function and character of stomach, not only bolster its theory of historical physician's expression, that is stomach is. foundatness of postnatal period, but also it has corresponding aspect with modern medicine and clinic. 7. Yoo Chang emphasized "if one cure a disease, be must understood the character of disease first and use drugs later" (先議病 後用藥) phrase about of drug usage, and his theory of Geup-Rew-Man-Joo method (急流挽舟) and three therapy of Simple Ascite (單腹腸) are all unique opinion based upon this phrase mentioned above. 8. Yoo Chang's practical idea of medicine greatly influenced to Jang Ro (張璐), Hwang Won-A (黃元御), Oh Eui-Rak (吳儀洛), Joo Yang-Joon (周揚俊), etc. and theory of Sam-Gang-Jeng-Rip (三綱鼎立), Triple Warmer Theory of On Byong (溫疫의 三焦論治), Chu-Jo-Ron (秋燥論), Dae-Gi-Ron (大氣論) etc. became important object to student of Sang-Han (傷寒) and On-Byeng. (溫病) 9. Yoo Chang's Writings has more practical meaning than other physician's, especially, later the idea of Sang-Han (傷寒) and On-Byong (溫病) greatly contributed to development of Sang-Han theory and formation of On-Byong theory.

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Efficacy and Safety of Miniscalpel Acupuncture in Knee Degenerative Osteoarthritis Patients: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial (퇴행성 슬관절염 환자에 대한 도침요법의 효능 및 안전성 연구: 임상예비연구)

  • Jun, Seungah;Park, Mu Seob;Oh, Se Jung;Lee, Jung Hee;Gong, Han Mi;Choi, Seong Hun;Hwangbo, Min;Lee, Hyun-Jong;Kim, Jae Soo
    • Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.67-74
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    • 2016
  • Objectives : The Knee degenerative osteoarthritis patients are not satisfied with the conventional therapies of KDOA, which results in the use of alternative therapies. The miniscalpel acupuncture is effective in treating chronic soft tissue, releasing contractures. However, there is little scientific evidence supporting the use of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis. This study was designed to obtain basic data for a further large-scale trial as well as provide information about the feasibility of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis patients. Methods : We describe the protocol for a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial of 5 weeks duration. Twenty patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two treatment groups: miniscalpel acupuncture treatment(experimental group); and acupuncture and electro-acupuncture treatment(control group). Miniscalpel acupuncture will be performed once with a 1-week interval for 3 weeks. Electro-acupuncture will be administered twice per week for a period of 3 weeks. The primary outcomes will be measured by visual analogue scale and range of motion. The secondary outcomes will be short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Both primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline and at 1, 2, 3 and 5 weeks(i.e. 2 weeks after treatment completion). Conclusions : This pilot study will provide a basic foundation for a future large-scale trial as well as information about the feasibility of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis.