Korean Journal of Acupuncture

Society for Meridian and Acupoint (경락경혈학회)
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Case Report on Three Patients with Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome Showing Improvement with Ultrasound-Guided Pharmacopuncture: Proposal of the 'SLS Triangle' Treatment Protocol

경추근막통증증후군에 대한 초음파 유도하 약침 치료 3례 증례보고

  • Hongmin Chu (Korean Medicine Convergence Research Information Center for Stroke, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Seongjun Park (Department of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Taegwang Nam (College of Korean Medicine, Wooseok University) ;
  • Kwangho Kim (Korean Medicine Convergence Research Information Center for Stroke, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Junhui Kwon (FCU Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Hyeon Joon Hong (Gwanghwamun Kyung Hee Korean Medicine Clinic) ;
  • Juhwan Song (Korean Medicine Convergence Research Information Center for Stroke, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Sanghyuk Kwon (Jinjeop Hanyang Hospital) ;
  • Jaehyo Kim (Department of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Hyein Jeong (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Kyeong Han Kim (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University) ;
  • Robin Kwon (Jinjeop Hanyang Hospital)
  • 추홍민 (원광대학교 한의과대학 한의뇌졸중중점연구센터) ;
  • 박성준 (원광대학교 한의과대학 경혈학교실) ;
  • 남태광 (우석대학교 한의과대학 한의학과) ;
  • 김광호 (원광대학교 한의과대학 한의뇌졸중중점연구센터) ;
  • 권준휘 ((주)에프씨유) ;
  • 홍현준 (광화문경희한의원) ;
  • 송주환 (원광대학교 한의과대학 한의뇌졸중중점연구센터) ;
  • 권상혁 (진접한양병원) ;
  • 김재효 (원광대학교 한의과대학 경혈학교실) ;
  • 정혜인 (경희대학교 한의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 김경한 (우석대학교 한의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 권오빈 (진접한양병원)
  • Received : 2024.07.08
  • Accepted : 2024.08.13
  • Published : 2024.09.27
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Abstract

Objectives : Cervical myofascial pain syndrome (C-MPS), a key aspect of Visual Display Terminals (VDT) Syndrome, leads to acute and chronic pain due to muscle shortening, potentially causing headaches and movement disorders. This study examines the effectiveness of Pharmacoacupuncture at the intersection of the Splenius Capitis (SC), Levator Scapulae (LS), and Serratus Posterior Superior(SPS) muscles under ultrasound guidance, known as the "SLS triangle" in treating C-MPS. Methods : Three patients (aged 30 to 37) with acute C-MPS presented at two Korean medicine clinics with severe neck pain and restricted cervical rotation. The evaluation of symptoms before treatment, immediately after treatment, and one day after treatment was conducted using the cervical rotation Range of motion (ROM) and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for cervical pain. Treatments included Acupuncture, Cupping therapy, Chuna manipulation, Physical Therapy, and Pharmacopuncture (Jaha-geo extract, 2cc at the SLS triangle). Results : All three patients showed significant improvement post-treatment. Immediately after treatment, Patient 1's NRS improved from 7 to 2, Patient 2's NRS improved from 4 to 1, and Patient 3's NRS improved from 6 to 2. Directly after the procedure, there were no significant adverse reactions except for one patient experiencing temporary dizziness. When the patients were followed up by phone 24 hours later, no adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture can significantly reduce pain and improve cervical rotation in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome. The findings suggest this non-invasive treatment is both safe and effective, warranting further research through larger-scale clinical trials to validate its efficacy and establish standardized protocols.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by a grant of the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development (NIKOM) ⸢Korean medicine industry advancement support project⸥ funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: 24R433).

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