• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2011

Objectives: Acupuncture has been shown to relieve pain and modulate biological function by stimulating the organ-specific meridians and enhances parasympathetic activity and suppresses sympathetic activity. The aim of this review is to summarize and understand the effects of acupuncture on autonomic nervous system. Methods: We reviewed a total of 29 studies published from 2000 to 2010 searched by PueMed and various domestic oriental medicine journals to obtain acupuncture studies related with ANS. Each article was classified by ANS measurement index and reviewed for study objectives, outcomes, acupuncture points, experimental and control interventions. Results: In the study of acupuncture about EEG, HRV, SCR, the experiment results are not the same by acupoints. Although same acupoint the results differ by subject's condition. But the study showed some clear tendency. In brief, in normal states acupuncture enhanced either vagal or sympathetic tone depending on the stimulated acupuncture point sites. On the other hand, most of studies demonstrated that acupuncture restored the autonomic dysfunctions in various kinds of tired or stressful states. Conclusions: We reviewed studies that contributed to an understanding of the effects and mechanisms of acupuncture on autonomic nervous system. Although the relationship between acupuncture and ANS response is still uncertain, acupuncture could be a excellent treatment method for modulating autonomic dysfunction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2013

Objectives : This study aimed to perform descriptive analysis on demographic characteristics and symptom distribution of 199 marathon participants in Pusan, Korea. Methods : Brief medical charts of 199 marathon participants in 11 marathon rallies who had visited the emergency medical support team of Korean Medicine Hospital, Pusan National University were collected. Participants' demographic and clinical characteristics were descriptively analyzed. Results : More than two third of participants who have visited the support team was male(71.9 %) and their mean age was 44.0(years). The main intervention was manual acupuncture with vigorous stimulation techniques. Most of treated symptoms were lower extremity pain(77.0 %). Knee pain was the most frequently recorded symptoms, following the ankle pain. No information on the safety of acupuncture treatments were reported in the records. Conclusions : Symptom distribution of marathon participants who have visited the emergency medical support team of Korean Medicine Hospital was similar to previous literatures of acute injuries of marathon athletes and runners. The role of acupuncture for emergency support care of acute injuries in marathon participants should be further explored in well-designed clinical studies.