• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.231-246
• /
• 2000

Acupuncture has been used for treatment of numerous diseases, especially for pain control in the oriental culture. However, the mechanism of pain control by acupuncture was not clear so far. The present study was examined that the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) applied to the acu-point of extra-segmental area on modulation of formalin induced pain in Sprague - Dawley rats. In order to apply EA to acu-points in the plantar area of right fore paws, a pair of teflon - coated stainless steel wires were implanted in HT 7 (shin-mun) and PC 7 (dae-neong) 5 days before behavioral test. A behavioral test was performed by means of video camera after injection of 5% formalin ($50{\mu}l$) into the lateral plantar region of left hind paw. EA was delivered by a constant current stimulator at 4~5 mA, 2 ms, and 10 Hz for 30 min. The electromyographic activities were recorded in the biceps femoris muscle under chloral hydrate anesthesia. Test stimuli with 1~9mA were applied to the sural nerve territory including the medial portion of the 4th toe and the lateral portion of the 5th toe. Behavioral responses including favoring, flinching and bitting were occured in the biphasic pattern, such as the lst phase (0~5 min) and the 2nd phase (20~45 min) after formalin injection. However, EA (4~5 mA, 2 ms, 10 Hz) significantly inhibited Che behavioral responses. EMG activities of flexor reflex had a latency of 100~300 ms and thresholds of test stimuli for EMG were 4~5 mA in normal rats. Injection of formalin decreased threshold of test stimuli and increased EMG activities for 2hrs after injection. However, EA significantly inhibited EMG activities of flexor reflex increased by formalin and recovered EMG evoked thresholds. These results suggest that contralateral extra-segmental EA inhibits the first and second phases of formalin induced pain but their mechanism be needed to examine additionally.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Five transport points are often used in acupuncture treatment. However, there is no clear explanation about the reason why the five transport points are matched five phases in this manner. Therefore, we reviewed the literatures and theses about the principal of matching and researched a new way to understand the reason. Methods : We found 8 theses and 3 literatures related to the matching of five transport points to five phases by searching the web sites. And, we reviewed the principal of matching and researched another new way to understand the reason why they are matched so. Results and Conclusions : In the viewpoint of the natural state and function of five phases, the start points arising in yin- and yang-meridian are matched to wood and metal respectively. Therefore, well point matches the wood and metal in yin- and yang-meridian respectively. And by following the flow of five transport points, the other points match with fire, earth, metal, water in yin-meridian and water, wood, fire, and earth in yang-meridian.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.79-89
• /
• 2014

Objectives : This research was to evaluate the MST effectiveness on iliopsoas muscle of herniated inter-vertebral disc in lumbar spine. Methods : This research was carried out with the 58 inpatients who received treatment for their HIVD in lumbar spine from January 1 to April 12, 2014 in Daejeon Jaseng hospital of oriental medicine. We randomly divided into two groups: Group A=common treatment on HIVD of L-spine without MST(acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herb medication, chuna treating and physiotherapy) and Group B=common treatment on HIVD of L-spine with MST. To verify the MST effect, tenderness(checked by algometer pressure), NRS(numeric rating scale), and ODI(Oswestry disability index) were measured before and after treatment. The statistically significance was evaluated by SPSS 18.0 for Windows. Results : In the Group B, the tenderness was significantly decreased compared with Group A. However, on the NRS and ODI, it did not produce the meaningful results as these two values decreased in all groups. Conclusions : From this research, when patients who were diagnosed HIVD of L-spine with iliopsoas muscles tenderness receive MST additionally, the satisfaction of patients as well as physician confidence will increase.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.90-97
• /
• 2014

Objective : The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of smoking on the skin bioelectrical capacitance at specific acupoints of lung meridian. Methods : Bioelectrical capacitance was measured on bilateral six source points(bilateral LU10, LU9, LU7, LU6, LU5, LU1), and the changes with time and between left and right side were analyzed. Results : The skin bioelectrical capacitance at specific acupoints of lung meridian was significantly increased after smoking. And it recovered as time passed. The change of the skin bioelectrical capacitances at specific acupoints of lung meridian with time were similar between left and right. Conclusion : Smoking increases the bioelectrical capacitance at specific acupoints of lung meridian. There is no difference between the effects of smoking on the bioelectrical capacitance at left and right specific acupoints of lung meridian.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.188-199
• /
• 2000

In the treatment of hemifacial spasm, the operative methods, such as neurovascular decompression, rhizotomy etc. are the most efficacious therapy on its control. But, due to some side effects and complication, pharmacotherapy has been the first attempted by first intention of hemifacial spasm. The cabamazepine is the most commonly used agent, however it is often inefficacious in some cases, and attenuates as the time passes, engages in some symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and causes an aplastic anemia, it has many deficiencies in becoming the first intention. Acupuncture is a simple, effective and conservative spasm control modality. It is so simple to use in hemifacial spasm. We had observed 5 cases of hemifacial spasm which were treated by acupuncture in our hospital recently. We reported these cases and reviewed related literatures briefly. The results of treatment are as follows : The average grade of spasm intensity classified by Scott's description was 3 before acu-therapy and it became 2 after the therapy. These results suggest that acupuncture and ear-acupuncture were effective as the first intention in healing hemifacial spasm.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.122-129
• /
• 2020

Objectives : The objective of this study was to examine the acupoint location of Sameumgyo (SP6) from classic literatures. Methods : A review of SP6 acupoint location on 13 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion was performed. Results : Differences of SP6 acupoint location were found by classics of acupuncture and moxibustion. 9 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion said the acupoint of SP6 was located on 3 cun above the tip of the medial malleoulus, however acupoint location of SP6 was described on 8 cun above the tip of the medial malleoulus by 4 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion. Conclusions : Through a classic literature review, it was possible for the explanation that the location of SP6 was 8 cun above the tip of the medial malleoulus, but it was not intended to overturn the theory of 3 cun above the tip of the medial malleoulus regarding location of SP6. This study may be the starting point for future experimental or clinical studies for exploring new acupoint, and is expected to follow up.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.97-103
• /
• 2020

Objectives : Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. There is no clear treatment or remedy for Parkinson's disease; therefore, the development of novel therapies related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects is required. This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of water extracts from Cervi Cornu (CC) in dopaminergic cells. Methods : We studied effects of CC on apoptosis, cell death and inflammation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated by methylpyridinium ion (MPP+). SH-SY5Y cell line was treated with CC for 24 hours and then 500 μM MPP+ for 18 hours. Results : Cervi Cornu treatment inhibited the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression and decreased the activation of inflammatory factors mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase (COX2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) against MPP+ neurotoxicity. Apoptosis factors BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX) levels were decreased and B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 2 (BCL2) levels were increased. Conclusions : These results suggest that CC treatment had neuroprotective effects in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against toxicity induced by MPP+. The results suggest new possibilities of CC for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.88-96
• /
• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-aging effect of the seed of Euphorbia lathyris L. extracted by supercritical CO₂. Methods : Human dermal fibroblast cells dosed with the extract from Euphorbia lathyris L. were harvested and the intracellular proteome was analyzed to examine the expression of proteins related collagen synthesis pathway, metalloproteinases (MMPs), extracellular matrix (ECM)-cell interaction, cytokines, and antioxidant enzymes by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Results : Fatty acid analysis of the extract from Euphorbia lathyris L. showed oleic acid was 84% and linoleic acid was 4.1%. Antioxidative effect was about 53% by beta carotene bleaching assay. In 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) analysis, fifteen protein changes in five mechanisms which were collagen synthesis pathway, MMPs, ECM-cell interaction, cytokines, and antioxidant enzymes were analyzed. Conclusions : This study suggests the supercritical extraction from the seed of Euphorbia lathyris L. could be used as anti-oxidant substances for pharmacopuncture.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.136-145
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Previous research on texts specializing in acupuncture and moxibustion in Korea have mostly been focused on those written in the Joseon period, leaving an academic void in the modern and contemporary eras. This research on the "Yeongsochimgugyeong" was undertaken to help readers' understanding of the text and to provide basic material for further research on modern-contemporary education of acupuncture and moxibustion. Methods : The original text of "Yeongsochimgugyeong" was examined along with books and news articles on related people. Information that was difficult to obtain through written documents was supplemented by interviews with people who knew about the situation at the time. The findings were organized as 1) the author and related people and 2) introduction of "Yeongsochimgugyeong". Results and Conclusions : The original text of "Yeongsochimgugyeong" was written by teacher Jeon, Gwangok, interpreted and annotated by his disciple Gwon, Yeongjun. It is presumed that they wrote this book as educators of Korean medicine for educational purposes on acupuncture and moxibustion before and after the Japanese colonial era. The book is consisted of an overview of meridianology, details on points and meridians, supplementing and draining methods, similar to the current text book. The contents and expressions of "Yeongsochimgugyeong" reflect the state of acupuncture and moxibustion education of the early and mid $20^{th}$ century, making it a valuable resource.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.11-16
• /
• 2003

Purpose D.I.T.I. can be used to diagnose the dysmenorrhea and prove the Oriental Medical Theory and the Sasang Constitutional Medicine concerning Dysmenorrhea. According to the Sasang Constitutional Medicine, we chose 39 dysmenorrhea patients (Soeumin 26 Patients, Taeumin 13 Patients) and expremented D.I.T.I. to find difference of chilliness and fever in the upper part of body and the lower part of body. Methods We expremented 39 dysmenorrhea patients chosena expremental group from Apr 1. 2002 to May 30, 2002. We diagnosed the constitution by Q.S.C.C. and selected six acu-points CV-17, CV-12, CV-4, G-21, B-15 and B-23. To appraise difference of temperature according to constitution we compared skin temperature of front to back. Result Mean Absolute Value of ${\Delta}T$ in body (front and back) shows significant difference. Totally the temperature of front is higher than the temperature of back. the temperature of Soeumin is higher than the temperature of Taeumin in whole. Conciusion Especially the upper abdomen area(CV-17) shows high temperature in 39 dysmenorrhea patients, the lower abdomen area (CV-4) of Soeumin shows lower temperature relatively.