• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2018

Objectives : The GB18 belongs to one of the 92 controversial points in the development of WHO standard of acupuncture point location. The number of Chon measurement of GB18 is described differently in the A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (ChimGuGakEulKyung; AB Classic) and the Complete Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion(ChimGuDaeSeong; Complete Compendium). The aim of the study is to review the point location of GB18 and compare the relation of the location of BL7. In addition, I would like to propose new locating method of GB18. Methods : In order to review I examined the expressions of the location of GB18 and the mapping location on the acupuncture chart in the landmark classic acupuncture literatures. Results : In the most literatures, the location of GB18 was described by the distance from the GB17. The distance was 1.5 chon with one exception of 1 chon. The intervals from GB15 to GB18 was 1 chon or 1.5 chon. Although the distance from the anterior hairline is the same as 4 chon, mapping points of GB18 and BL7 on the acupuncture chart were different. Conclusions : Consequently, in the AB Classic, meaning of the location is the actual distance of scalp surface. In the Complete Compendium, however, meaning of the location is the hypothetical distance in the imaginary scalp surface. Therefore, it is safe to find the GB18 on the same level with GV20 on the connecting line of bilateral auricular apexes. The relation of GB18 and BL7 should be reconsidered.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.210-225
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• 2018

Objective : This research is aimed to compare the three sets of Dongin(K-1, K-2, K-3) to Chosun and Chinese acupuncture bronze men, and through literature review of acupuncture points and meridians to see how acupuncture of Chosun affected the Japan's acupuncture bronze men. Methods : Using 3D scanning, we compared the location of acupoints by the proportional bone measurement method of the three sets of Dongin to those of Chosun and China. We also compared the meridians and acupuncture points of the three sets of Dongin to Doningyosodo. Results : Dongin K-1 and K-2 have all the unique characteristics of ChimGuemDongIn. Their heads were made about 30% larger than the location of points by the proportional bone measurement method and their necks were shortened to get the right proportion. Their gender was not specified. Their hands were sticking forward, and knees were slightly bent, and the arms and legs were carefully crafted to record acupuncture points. Dongin K-1 and K-2 marked the meridians and acupuncture points according to Doningyosodo. In particular, BL39 in Dongin K-1 and K-2 has been marked as in ChimGeumDongIn, which is considered to have come from DongUiBoGam. These characteristics do not exist in Chinese acupuncture bronze men. The location of points by the proportional bone measurement method was marked on the right side of the Dongin K-3, while the eight extra meridians were marked on the left side. Conclusions : In summary, Dongin K-1 and K-2 indicate the Japanese history of acupuncture which may have influenced from Chosun.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.150-161
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• 2019

Objectives : The authors aimed at contributing to the safety of acupuncture in the clinic by analyzing the information of contraindicated acupoints described in Uihakipmun. Methods : We investigated the contents related acupuncture contraindications in Uihakipmun, categorized the contraindicated acupoints by site and identified whether they can cause adverse events from the anatomical point of view. Results : In Uihakipmun, 49 acupoints - BL6, BL8, BL9, ST1, SI18, BL1, BL2, TE18, TE19, TE20, GB1, GB3, GV22, GV24, ST12, ST9, TE16, GV6, BL15, BL30, CV17, LU2, GB22, SP16, CV8, CV9, CV15, KI11, ST30, SP11, BL56, GB32, GB33, GB42, LI13, HT2, TE8, GV17, GB18, EX-HN11, GB21, GV11, GV10, ST17, CV5, CV1, ST42, SP6, LI4 - were described as contraindicated acupoints. Among them, the contraindications induced by acupuncture treatment were described for just 5 acupoints. Anatomically, acupuncture stimulation at the contraindicated acupoints can cause organ, nerve or vessel damage near the acupoints. And the number of contraindicated acupoints in Uihakipmun was increased compared to those in Hwangjenaegyeong, Chimgugabeulgyeong, Bigeupcheongeumyobang, Donginsuhyeolchimgudogyeong and Chimgujasaenggyeong. Conclusions : In Ming dynasty, the knowledge associated with adverse events on acupuncture was increased by the accumulation of medical knowledge. Acupuncture stimulation at the contraindicated acupoints described in Uihakipmun can cause tissue damage, therefore we should perform acupuncture procedure carefully to avoid adverse events when stimulating the contraindicated acupoints.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review which acupoints and meridians are selected to treat visceral pain in articles published in international journals and to investigate quality of reporting acupuncture intervention according to the STRICTA guidelines. Methods : Electrical and hand search were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library for acupuncture studies on visceral pain in human and animals. Reporting quality of intervention was evaluated using the revised STRICTA guidelines. Results : We included 51 articles (7 clinical studies and 44 animal studies) in this study. The most frequently adopted meridians and acupoints were Stomach meridian, Spleen meridian, Conception Vessel meridian, and ST36, CV4, SP6, LI4, PC6, SP9, ST25, ST37 in clinical studies. In animal studies, Stomach meridian, Conception Vessel meridian, Pericardium meridian and ST36, ST37, CV12, PC6 were most frequently used. Animal studies showed significantly lower quality of reporting compared to clinical studies. According to the analysis on the effect of year of publication of articles, announcement of STRICTA guidelines did not improve the quality of reporting for studies on visceral pain. Conclusions : These results suggest that both proximal and distal acupoints based on meridian theory were used to study the underlying mechanisms of visceral pain both in human and animal studies. Guidelines of acupuncture intervention reporting for animal study is necessary to improve the quality of evidence, and it will also allow us the integrative understanding of the mechanisms and clinical effects of acupuncture treatment in human and animal.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.81-91
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• 2019

Objectives : Symptoms caused by traffic accidents can be divided into localized pain and systemic symptoms. Edema and pain can be increased due to obesity. During hospitalization of obese patients after traffic accident injury, obesity and systemic symptoms such as edema, dizziness, abdominal fullness and heavy body feeling might increase more by decreased physical activity due to pain. Methods : This report details on two cases of obese female inpatients with systemic symptoms after a car accident who were treated with wild ginseng complex (WGC) pharmacopuncture combined with Korean Medicine (KM) automobile insurance treatment. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Neck Disablility Index (NDI) and the Oswestry Disablility Index (ODI) were evaluated before and after treatment for comparison. Body composition was also measured. Results : Localized pain improved with a decrease in patients' NRS, NDI and ODI scores. Systemic symptoms increased during hospitalization were also improved with changes of body composition. Conclusions : Combining WGC pharmacopuncture with KM automobile insurance treatment may be synergistically effective for the treatment of obese patients with systemic symptoms such as edema, heavy body feeling and abdominal fullness.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2019

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Zingiberis Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture(ZP) at GB30 and ST36 in neuropathic pain induced SD rats by the block of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1(TRPV1). Methods : Neuropathic pain in rats was induced by tibial and common peroneal nerve transection of right leg. The rat subjects were divided into 6 groups : normal(Nor, n=5), control(Con, n=5), neuropathic pain plus 2 mg/kg ZP injection at GB30 and ST36(ZP-A, n=5), 10 mg/kg ZP(ZP-B, n=5), 20 mg/kg ZP(ZP-C, n=5) and 0.45 mg/kg Tramadol(Tra, n=5). Three days after the surgery, injections were administered once a day for 17 days. Withdrawal response of neuropathic rats' legs were measured by stimulating the paw of Right leg with von frey filament, acetone and radient heat on day 3, 7, 11, 15, 19 after surgery. After all treatments were completed, c-Fos in the midbrain central gray and TRPV1 & TRPA1 of DRG(L5) were analyzed. Results : Groups ZP-B and ZP-C showed a meaningful decrease in the withdrawal response of mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia compared to the control group(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). Groups ZP-B and ZP-C showed a meaningful decrease in the expression of c-fos and TRPV1 protein level compared to the control group(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). Conclusions : These results suggest that Zingiberis Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture at GB30 and ST36 could decrease mechanical & cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia by block the TRPV1 on the model of neuropathic pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2019

Objectives : Teaching the standardized acupuncture point locations and improving the accuracy of acupoint locations through objective evaluation is a very important part of Korean medicine education. The aim of this study is to develop a dummy system for evaluation and support of teaching acupoint location in meridian and acupoints classes and to introduce the developed system. Methods : We established a protocol for the development of the system. The protocol included definition of usage purpose, definition of its essential performance, and set of scope. The system compares the amount of light at the target acupoint with the amount of light at the other sites to determine whether the target acupoint is properly specificated. Results : A prototype of the system was built according to the protocol and consists of light emitter, dummy, control/operation, input part and output part. The light emitter projects laser beam passing through the skin of the dummy. Light sensors were attached inside the acupoints of the dummy. Three types of light sensors were selected depending on the location of the acupoints. The arithmetic, input, and output parts were constructed using Arduino and Raspberry pi boards. The developed system was applied in class. Conclusions : It is thought that the dummy system for evaluation and support of teaching acupoint location can be used as a training model in order to help teach standardized acupoint locations and objective evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2018

Objective : This case study reports the therapeutic effect of Korean Medicine (KM) treatments including CS(care special pain) and BV(bee venom) pharmacopuncture on herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) of lumbar spine(L-spine). Methods : Two patients diagnosed with HIVD of L-spine were treated with CS and BV pharmacopuncture on GV3 and EX-B2, acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. The Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), the Oswestry low back pain Disablility Index(ODI) and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ) scores were evaluated before and after treatment for comparison. Results : Low back pain(LBP) and radiating pain was improved with a decrease in patients' NRS, ODI and RMDQ scores. Conclusion : These results suggest that KM treatments including combined CS and BV pharmacopuncture could be an effective treatment on patients with HIVD of L-Spine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.159-165
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to review the efficacy of national and international randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating evidence on thread embedding therapy for knee osteoarthritis. Methods : Online databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, NDSL, OASIS, CNKI) were searched for studies where thread embedding therapy was performed for Knee Osteoarthritis from their inception to July 2018. Two researchers independently performed the search. Only RCTs were selected. Eligible studies were selected first by the abstract and the title and then included after full-texts were read. Risk of bias of the included studies were evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Data were narratively summarized. Results : There were 334 studies retrieved from the databases, resulting in analysis of 3 RCTs. There was an average of 1.5 treatment visits over a 7 day period and evaluation tool used was efficacy rate, with traditional acupuncture being the most common control used in the trials. Statistically significant improvement by thread embedding therapy was reported. None of the included RCTs reported on adverse reactions. The risk of bias of the included studies was generally unclear. Conclusion : The review suggests that thread embedding therapy can be effective in knee osteoarthritis. But there was a lack of detailed information about the treatment procedures, and the risk of bias was unclear. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence for thread embedding therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.174-186
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this survey was to investigate the general characteristics of sports injury patients in Korean medical institutions by Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs) and the treatment patterns of Korean medicine for ankle sprain which is one of the common sports injuries. Methods : An online survey was conducted on KMDs interested in sports injuries to assess their experience and perception of sports injuries including diagnosis, intervention, and treatment plan for ankle sprain. Results : A total of 276 KMDs participated in the survey. They answered that 12% (median, range 0~80%) of patients visiting a Korean medical institution had sports injuries. Sports injuries frequently occur in the ankle, back, shoulder, knee, and elbow and the most common sports injury was sprain/strain. Many participants were aware that sports injuries should be treated differently from other musculoskeletal diseases in general. They reported that confirmation of fracture, swelling, and tenderness was essential to diagnose ankle sprains. Acupuncture was the most commonly used treatment and reported to need 2 to 6 weeks of treatment period, depending on the severity. Conclusions : Based on the findings regarding treatment of sports injury patients by KMDs, this study would be utilized as basic information for pragmatic clinical research design related to sports medicine in the future.