• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.371-384
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• 2012

Objectives : The meridian system is a systematic complex of empirical knowledge, which functions as a basis of acupuncture treatment. In this article, we reviewed the visualization methods of meridian and acupuncture points through the investigation of the characteristics of Diagram of Meridians, Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, Bronze Statues and Diagram of Bronze Statue. Methods : We investigated the characteristics of Diagram of Meridians, Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, and Bronze Statues. We reviewed the visualization methods of meridian and acupuncture points in those classical Diagrams and analyzed their relationships among them. Results : In order to explain the meridian and acupuncture points easily, ancient people usually used drawings which are named Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, by their own characteristics. Owing to their limitations of drawings on the 2 dimensional plane, Chinese people designed the Bronze Statue for Acu-moxibustion and its first invention was invented in Tiansheng age of Song dynasty. For several decades and centuries, these models and drawings were inherited, also reflecting variations of meridian system. As the Bronze Statue has a deficiency in the educational use because of its limitations of mass production, Diagram of Bronze Statue drawn on the 2 dimensional plane was invented. At the beginning of Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, Diagram of Bronze Statue and Bronze Statue, their own characteristics were significantly differed with other diagrams and statues. We found that both diagrams and statues were gradually combined with description of the relationship between internal organs and the skeletal structure and the meridian system. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that Diagram of Meridians, Mingtang Diagram, Diagram of Meridians and Collaterals, and Bronze Statues are the basic form of data visualization, one of the infographics. We suggest that ancient Chinese people intend to explain the empirical knowledge using the ancient infographics of meridian system, but have limitations on reflecting theorical or abstractional meaning.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study to investigate the effect of TENS and electroacupuncture (EA) on injured muscle recovery and to compare the difference between TENS and EA. Methods: 18 S-D rats were produced surgically for crush injury on Extensor digitorum. TENS and EA stimulation were applied on acu-point that Zusanli (ST36) and Taijun (Liv3) of each hindlimb as approximitely 2Hz for 15 minutes. The rats were sacrificed on 1, 3, 7 post operation day, and the spinal level was immunohistochmical stainied. Results: The expression of NT-3 on the spinal level related with injured muscle between Ex-1 group and Ex-2, there is no significant difference. But between Con and Ex-1/Ex-2, there was little difference. In the same indivudual, we confirmed more NT-3 expression on the same side of injured muscle than on another side of gray matter in posterior horn. Conclusion: There is no difference, which is more effective to recover of injured muscle, between EA and TENS on injured muscle.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.199-207
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture therapy with Hominis Placenta pharmacopncture therapy in hospitalized patients with peripheral facial paralysis. Methods : We investigated 34 cases of patients with peripheral facial paralysis who were admitted into the Dept. of Acupuncture & Moxibustion of Dongshin University Suncheon Oriental Hospital from February 1, 2014 to June 31, 2015. Subjects were divided into two groups, Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture group(HR group), and Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture group(JH group). HR group was treated by Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture five times a week and JH group was treated by Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture five times a week. And both groups were treated by acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine therapy, western drug therapy equally. To investigate the effectiveness of treatment, we used House-Brackmann Grading System, Yanagihara's unweighted grading system and Sunnybrook facial grading scale at before admission and after admission. Results : Each scores by 3 evaluation methods improved both in two groups. However, there were no significant differences in improvement between two groups. Conclusions : These results suggest that the Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture therapy is as effective as Hominis Placenta pharmacopuncture therapy to improve symptoms of peripheral facial paralysis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.169-176
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• 2015

Objectives : This study is to investigate the effects of Rhizoma drynariae aqueous extract(RDA) on cell cytotoxicity, Nitric Oxide (NO) and Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ production and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl ghdrazyl(DPPH) free radical scavenging capability. Methods : Cell cytotoxicity was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. The production of NO was measured by Griess assay. The production of $PGE_2$ was measured by immunoassay. And, the anti-oxidant activity was measured by the DPPH method. Results : Cell cytotoxicity in 50, 100, 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$ RDA did not increase significantly compared to the RDA untreated group. RDA($200{\mu}g/ml$ and $400{\mu}g/ml$) inhibited NO and $PGE_2$ production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. RDA had high DPPH free radical scavenging capability. Conclusions : This study indicates that RDA inhibits NO and $PGE_2$ production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and improve DPPH free radical scavenging capability. RDA may have an anti-inflammation effect and an anti-oxidant activity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.160-168
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was intended to observe the changes in the expression of neurotransmitters, such as nNOS, NO and NE upon the needle insertion at varying depths at the connecting point. Methods : Needles were inserted into rats, on both left and right sides of the connecting point, including the LI6, SI7 and TE5 acupoints which are three yang meridians of the hand. After insertion, needles were retained for five minutes. Each acupuncture groups were treated acupuncture at each acupoint and at the depths of superficial, middle and deep layer. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture, and tissues of each point near meridian vessels were extracted to examine the changes in the expression of nNOS, NO and NE. Results : In terms of the effect in nNO production, there was a significant increase only in the middle and deep layer at SI7 acupoint, but there was no significant change in the expression of NO. Regarding the formation of norepinephrine within tissues, the middle layer on LI6 acupoint, the middle layer and the deep layer on TE5 acupoint showed a significant increase, while production of plasma norepinephrine was significantly decreased at the middle layer and the deep layer on LI6 acupoint and the deep layer on SI7 acupoint. Conclusions : The effect of needles applied at the connecting point of three yang meridians on the activities of nNOS, and NE could be observed, and it can be induced that the effect of needle stimulation on disrupted nervous system can be examined through additional researches based on this one.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.298-304
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• 2013

Objectives : We examined mutual inhibitory effects of combined acupoints in arthritic pain induce by carrageenan(CA). Electroacupuncture(EA) is considered a potentially useful treatment for arthritis. Although the analgesic effect of acupuncture is well documented, little is understood about its biological basis. There are many previous studies of positive effect of combined acupoint, this study was conducted to see the mutual inhibitory effects produced by combined acupoint(ST36 and PC7) on arthritic rats. Methods : For the induction of inflammatory pain rat model, CA was injected into the knee joint cavity. There are four groups; EA was applied to bilateral PC7 acupoints(PC7 group), ST36 acupoints(ST36 group), and both PC7 and ST36 acupoints(ST36+PC7 group) except for the control group. The pain level were assessed to determine the change in weight bearing force. We also examined the COX-2 expression in dorsal horn using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Results : The ST36+PC7 group data showed the significant reduction of weight bearing force and the induction of COX-2 protein expression compared with the ST36 group. Conclusions : Simultaneous EA applied to the ST36 and PC7 acupoints reduced the analgesic effect of the ST36 group on knee inflammatory pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2013

Objectives : To observe the changes in the expression of neurotransmitters NO and enzymes that create NO, such as nNOS, iNOS and eNOS, upon the needle insertion on river point, one of the five transport points of three yang meridians on the forefoot. Methods : Based on rats, needle was inserted on both sides of LI5, SI5 and TE6, which are river points of three yang meridians on the forefoot, and were retained for five minutes. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture and tissues from each point around meridian vessels were extracted to be examined on the changes of the expression of NO, as well as of nNOS, iNOS and eNOS. Results : In terms of the effect on NO creation in tissues, none of the experimental groups showed any significant change compared to the Normal group. In terms of the effect on expression of nNOS within tissues, LI5 and SI5 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In iNOS within tissues, LI5 and SI5 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In eNOS within tissues, SI5 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. Conclusions : The effect on the function of NO, nNOS, iNOS and eNOS of needle insertion on the river points of three yang meridians on the forefoot could be observed, and based on this study, it is considered that the effect of needle stimulation on the changes of nervous system could be found out through additional research.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.220-229
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• 2013

Objectives : Electroacupuncture(EA) has been used effectively in producing analgesia on ankle sprain pain of humans and animals. Currently to examine the underlying mechanisms of the EA-induced analgesia, the effects of EA on weight-bearing forces(WBR) were examined at ankle sprain classified as grade 3 in rats. Methods : The severe ankle sprain classified as grade 3 was induced surgically by ankle ligament injury in the Sprague-Dawley rats. WBR of the affected foot were examined to evaluate effects and mechanism of EA(2 Hz, 1 ms pulse width, 2 mA intensity, for 15 min) which was applied to either SI6, GB34, or GB39 acupoints. The rats were pretreated with naltrexone(10 mg/kg, i.p.) as an opioid receptor antagonist or phentolamine(5 mg/kg, i.p) as an ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor antagonist at 30 min before EA. Results : The daily repeat EA at either SI6, GB34, or GB39 showed significant analgesic effects on the severe ankle sprain. Particularly, daily EA at GB34 showed more potent analgesic effect than the others. In addition, the naltrexone pretreatment completely blocked the analgesic effect of EA at GB34, indicating the involvement of the endogenous opioid system in mediating the effect of EA at GB34. However, the phentolamine pretreament blocked analgesic effects of EA at either SI6 or GB39, indicating the involvement of ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptors in mediating the effect of EA at either SI6 or GB39. Conclusions : These data suggest that EA-induced analgesia on ankle sprain pain is mediated through either endogenous opioids or ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptors dependant on acupoint specific pattern.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.49-63
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• 2016

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effects of Jodeungsan pharmacopuncture(PA-J) of focal brain ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) in rats. Methods : The subjects were divided into 4 groups : control, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture PA-J1(11.43 mg / 250 g / $40{\mu}{\ell}$) and pharmacopuncture PA-J2(2.29 mg / 250 g / $40{\mu}{\ell}$). The focal brain ischemia was induced by intraluminal filament insertion into the middle cerebral artery. After 3 days of MCAO, Jodeungsan pharmacopuncture treatment was performed on the GB20, and the day after being treated with pharmacopuncture, the Morris water maze test was carried out on the assigned group. The series of processes were administered 6 times. Thereafter mGluR5, density of neuronal cell and ChAT were measured. Results : The results were as follows. 1. The distance to target significantly decreased in the 2nd trial of the Acu group on the water maze test for short-term memory. 2. The distance to target significantly decreased in the 4th trial of the PA-J2 group on the water maze test for long-term memory. 3. The intensity of mGluR5 significantly increased in the PA-J1 group compared with the control group. 4. The neuroprotective effect on the hippocampal CA1 significantly increased in the PA-J1 and PA-J2 groups compared with the control group. 5. The density of ChAT in the hippocampal CA1 significantly increased in the PA-J1 and PA-J2 groups compared with the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that Jodeungsan pharmacopuncture may improve memory and cognitive impairment and also have neuroprotective effects on focal brain ischemia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.157-165
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not Postural Yinyang Correction of TMJ(Temporomandibular joint) using Standard intraoral appliance could decrease chronic low back pain. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 40 patients with TMJ disorder aged from 30 to 70 years from 124 patients who were treated in chronic low back pain at Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion of Korean Medicine Hospital of Dong-Eui University from November $1^{st}$, 2015 to June $5^{th}$, 2016. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A and Group B. In Group A, we treated the patients with acupuncture, sweet bee venom treatment and FCST(Functional Cerebrospinal Therapy) through Standard intraoral appliance from ABA(Accurate Balancing Appliance), Full body exercise therapy, and Upper cervical alignment balance therapy. In Group B, we treated the patients with acupuncture and sweet bee venom treatment. To estimate the effectiveness in controlling pain, we analyzed the Visual analog scale(VAS). To evaluate functional change of patients, we analyzed the Oswestry low back disability questionnaire(ODI). Results : In both groups, VAS and ODI decreased significantly. In the VAS, the result of Group A is significantly more effective than that of Group B. In the ODI, the result of Group A is statistically less effective compared to that of Group B, but not significantly. Conclusions : According to the results, Postural Yinyang Correction of TMJ using Standard intraoral appliance may be effective treatment for low back pain, but the further researches are needed.