Objectives : To analyze the contents of ≪Lingshu·Jingjin≫ and study the standard posture in context of Korean Medicine. Methods : Analyzed the terms related to the name, body region and orientation of Three Yin and Three Yang used in ≪Lingshu·Jingjin≫ to deduce the standard posture of the description. ≪Lingshu·Jingmai≫ was used as supplementary data. Results : The term "Three Yin and Three Yang" in ≪Lingshu·Jingjin≫ is used to indicate regions of the human body, and based on this, terms with orientation were used. Just like 'anatomical position', there is a standard posture in Korean Medicine, and it may seem to be similar overall, but there is a difference in posture in the upper extremity. In ≪Lingshu·Jingjin≫, Greater Yang is the dorsal region, Lesser Yang is the lateral surface region, Yang Brightness is the anterior surface region of the human body. In the body trunk, Three Yin refers to the inner parts of the human body. However, in the lower extremity, Three Yin refers to the medial surface of the legs. The name of the individual Meridian-muscle was given following the region corresponding to Three Yin and Three Yang. In ≪Lingshu·Jingjin≫, there is a basic posture that became the standard posture derived from the description. In an upright standing position, the feet face forward, the fingers naturally extended, and the back of the hand faces outward. The fact that the posture of the thumb is naturally extended is especially reflected in ≪Lingshu·Jingjin≫. This is clearly different from the "anatomical position" and as it can be the base of all areas of acupuncture, it is suggested that it be defined as the "Standard Position of Acupuncture Medicine". Conclusions : Based on our analysis, we suggest the "Standard Position of Acupuncture Medicine" as an upright standing position, with the feet facing forward, the fingers naturally extended, the back of the hand facing outward, and the thumb naturally extended.

Objectives : We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) treatment combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for chronic neck pain (CNP) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial to establish a basis for larger-scale randomized controlled studies on this subject. Methods : Participants (n=36) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group, NSAIDs and combined treatment group. The MA group received MA three times over three weeks. The NSAIDs group was administered orally with zaltoprofen 80mg t.i.d. over three weeks. The combined treatment group received MA and zaltoprofen in the same manner as MA and NSAIDs groups. The primary outcome was pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the secondary outcomes were assessed using the Neck Disability index (NDI), EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D), and Patients' Global Impression of Change scale (PGIC). Assessments were made at week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3 (primary end point) during treatment and at week 7 (4 weeks after the end of treatment). Results : 35 participants completed the study. No serious adverse event occurred and blood test results were within normal limits. The improvement of VAS and NDI was significantly greater in combined and MA group than that in NSAIDs group (p<0.017). The combined group showed better outcomes in EQ-5D at visit 2 and 5, in PGIC at visit 4 than the NSAIDs group (p<0.017). No significant differences were found between combined and MA group. Conclusions : Our results suggest that both combined and MA group can be more effective in improving pain control than NSAIDs group. A large-scale clinical study is warranted to further clarify these findings.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate melanogenesis inhibition of ethanol extract of Polyporus (EP) by using B16F10 melanoma cells. Methods : We measured antioxidant effect of EP by using 1,1-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and we confirmed melanin contents and tyrosinase activity of EP in cells. Additionally, the expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and TRP-2 was observed by Western blot. Results : EP showed significantly high radical scavenging activity and inhibition of melanogenesis in dose-dependent manner by decreasing cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content with or without α-melanin stimulating hormone. TRP-1 and TRP-2 expressions were also suppressed by EP in B16F10 cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that EP inhibits the melanogenesis and it could be a new organic ingredient for hyper-pigmentation.

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review needling depth and location of LU7, BL62 and KI6 by the medical classics' records. Methods : 1. We researched the medical classics describing LU7, KI6 and BL62, and reorganized data about the location and needling depth. 2. We compared the medical classics' records on LU7, KI6 and BL62 with description of WHO standard acupuncture point location. 3. We reviewed different location and needling depth of LU7, BL62, and KI6 recorded in the medical classics with the anatomical structure. Results : 1. The common needling depth of LU7 is about 0.2 chon. But in some medical classics, the depth of LU7 is 0.8 chon. Needling depth of LU7 varied depending on the patient's hand posture. In the 'half-up' position with the thumb upward, it is possible to stimulate acupuncture on LU7 by 0.8 chon because there is a space between the tendons. 2. In WHO standard acupuncture point location, the locations of BL62 and KI6 are just below the lateral and medial malleolus. But in some medical classics, the locations of BL62 and KI6 are between the bones and muscles below the malleolus. In the locations between the bones and muscles below the malleolus, it is possible to stimulate acupuncture on BL62 and KI6 by penetrating acupuncture because there is no bone structure. Conclusions : 1. By the 'half-up' position with the thumb upward, it is possible to stimulate vertically acupuncture on LU7 by 0.8 chon. 2. By the locations of BL62 and KI6 between the bones and muscles below the malleolus, it is possible to stimulate on BL62 and KI6 by penetrating acupuncture.

Objectives : Mitochondria are typically known as intracellular double membrane-bound structures that supply energy for intracellular metabolism including Krebs cycle and beta-oxidation. Also, acupuncture has been known to stimulate the flow of energy. To explore the effect of acupuncture on the mitochondrial respiratory chain activities in rat's heart and kidneys, the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I to IV were observed. Methods : The rats were divided into 11 groups; Normal (no acupuncture treatment and under anesthesia for 10 min), heart meridian five-transport-points (acupuncture treatment at HT9, HT8, HT7, HT4 and HT3 under anesthesia for 10 min), and kidney meridian five-transport-points (acupuncture treatment at KI1, KI2, KI3, KI7 and KI10 under anesthesia for 10 min). All rats were sacrificed and the heart and kidneys were examined for the changes of respiratory chain activities. Results : Acupuncture at HT7 increased the activity of succinate dehydrogenase; acupuncture at KI2 increased the activity of ubiquinol cytochrome C oxidoreductase; and acupuncture at HT9, HT8, HT3 and KI1 increased activities of cytochrome C oxidase. Conclusions : Acupuncture assists mitochondrial repiratory chain activity via the Cytochrome C oxidase signaling pathway in heart and kidney of rats.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to report the effects of Korean medicine therapy on patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Methods : In this study, we used Korean medicine treatments, including acupuncture, bee venom therapy, chuna manual therapy, and others, to treat hospitalized patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome. Improvements in clinical symptoms were evaluated using a numeric rating scale (NRS), the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and changes in the number of tender points. Results : After Korean medicine treatment, the NRS scores reduced from 10 to 7 (Patient 1) and from 10 to 5 (Patient 2). The SF-MPQ scores decreased from 33 to 26 (Patient 1) and from 25 to 18 (Patient 2). The number of tender points reduced from 18 to 15 (Patient 1) and from 12 to 11 (Patient 2). Conclusions : In both patients, the NRS scores, SF-MPQ scores, and number of tender points significantly improved. The results suggest that Korean medicine treatments, including acupuncture, bee venom therapy, chuna manual therapy, and others, may be effective for treating fibromyalgia syndrome.

2019년 10월 16일부터 2019년 12월 16일까지 동국대학교 일산한방병원에서 요통을 호소하시며 X-ray 상 급성기 이상 소견이 없는 환자 3명을 대상으로 하였다. 한방응급실을 통해 입원한 급성 요통 증후군 환자에 대한 봉독약침요법을 포함한 한의학적 치료를 시행한 증례에 있어서 다양한 치료 효과를 확인하였다. NRS, ODI, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS의 모든 지표에서 임상적 호전의 결과를 관찰할 수 있었으며 환자의 주관적인 호전도에 있어서도 큰 변화를 얻을 수 있었고, 봉독약침에 대한 이상반응은 없었다. 봉독약침요법을 포함한 한의학적 치료를 통해 급성 요통이 완화되었으며 요추 ROM 증진 및 운동기능이 개선되고, 치료 기간을 단축시켜 환자의 삶의 질적인 측면에서 큰 호전을 보였다. 향후 급성 요통 증후군에 대한 봉독약침요법의 치료효과를 확인하기 위해 대규모 전향적 연구뿐만 아니라 대조군 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.