• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.215-224
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• 2001

Objcetive : Neuropathic pain sometimes arises from a partial peripheral nerve injury. This kind of pain is usually accompanied by spontaneous burning pain, allodynia and hyperalgesia. It has been well known that acupuncture is effective to the pain control from ancient time in Asia. However, it is not clear whether acupuncture can control neuropathic pain. The aim of the present study is to examine if acupuncture stimulation may be effective to the mechanical allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : To produce neuropathic pain, under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia, the right superior caudal trunk was resected between the S3 and S4 spinal nerves. After the neuropathic surgery, we examined if the animals exhibited the behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia. The mechanical allodynia was assessed by stimulating the tail with von Frey hair (bending force : 2.0g). three or 6 weeks after the neuropathic surgery, acupuncture stimulation was delivered to Houxi (SI 3) as the following parameters (2HZ frequency, 0.07mA intensity and 3msec duration) for 30 minutes. Results : The stimulation of Houxi (SI 3) acupoint relieved the behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia. Conclusion : Our results suggest that acupuncture can control the mechanical allodynia of neuropathic pain.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.47-54
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• 2001

This study is to analyze the impedance response in human body by acoustic stimulation on acupoints and contrast parte; for objectification of the meridian substance. It is to verify meridian pathway and channel theory or bio-energy in body. This paper proposes to make an hypothesis about the underground water theory. The meridian has not tube or pipe line type channel but bio-energy flow along the channel similar to flowing pattern of underground water in body. It was analyzed the current characteristic or impedance response after acoustic stimulation by sound wave of 5 specific tones. The response characteristics of current stimulation are measured by the average current magnitude and variation ratio or meridian. The current variation ratio or Live Meridian(gung) 33.2%, Heart Meridian(sang) 30.7% Kidney Meridian (gak) 33.1%, Spleen Meridian(chi) 33.9%, Lung Meridian (wo) 30.7% are to be compared to contrast parts (non-acupoint and meridian). In experimental results, meridian is discrimination to non-meridian, and 5 vital meridians have a reciprocal relationship with sound wave of 5 specific tones.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2019

Objectives : Increasing evidence suggests that parasympathetic vagus nerve activity plays a role in modulating acupuncture-induced anti-inflammatory reaction, but the function of sympathetic nerve is not known. Here, we investigated whether splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity was involved in the regulation of splenic expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA by electroacupuncture (EA) in LPS-injected animals. Methods : DiI was injected into the stomach or celiac ganglion (CG) for retrograde labeling of the target tissues. EA was given at ST36 and the electrical stimulation on the sciatic nerve in LPS-injected mice. c-Fos signals in the tissues were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA was analyzed by real-time PCR. Results : Application of EA at ST36 or electrical stimulation on the sciatic nerve induced c-Fos expression in neurons of the spinal cord and celiac ganglion (CG). Then, the vagotomy reduced c-Fos levels in CG neurons but not in the spinal cord in animals given EA. Expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA which was induced in the spleen after LPS was significantly inhibited by EA, then the vagotomy elevated $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA level similar to that in LPS-injected animals. Splanchnectomy in animals given LPS and EA also increased $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA though it was less effective than vagotomy. Conclusions : Our data suggest that EA delivered to the spleen via the splanchnic sympathetic nerve may be involved in attenuating splenic inflammatory responses in LPS-injected animals.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.35-45
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• 2010

Backgrounds : Recently, commercial indirect moxibustion has been widely used as a substitute for traditional indirect moxibustion by clinicians due to its convenience in using. But, there has been lack of studies about the similarity of thermal stimulation between commercial indirect moxibustion and traditional indirect moxibustion. Objectives : To demonstrate commercial indirect moxibustion can substitute for traditional indirect moxibustion by comparing thermal stimulation between the two. Methods : We measured bottom temperature of commercial indirect moxibustion and traditional indirect moxibustion with various thicknesses of ginger and garlic. A clinical trial was performed on 18 healthy subjects to evaluate thermal stimualtion. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, traditional indirect moxibustion with ginger and garlic. The skin temperature and heating time were measured. They received moxibustion therapy with commercial indirect moxibustion and traditional indirect moxibustion according to their groups. Acupoint Chogcoe($LU_6$), Zusanli($ST_{36}$) and Tianshu($ST_{25}$) were used in each group for 3 times. Results : There was no difference in bottom temperature among commercial indirect moxibustion, traditional indirect moxibustion with 2mm ginger and 3mm garlic. No major difference was detected in the subjects' baseline data. There was no difference in skin temperature and heating time among these 3 type of moxibustions. Also, No major difference was detected in VAS score of thermal stimulation and frequency of burns among these 3 type of moxibustions. But, most subjects regarded their sensation weren't identical because of its own distinct characteristics. Conclusions : Commercial indirect moxibustion, traditional indirect moxibustion with 2mm ginger and 3mm garlic have same thermal stimulation. Thus, commercial indirect moxibustion can substitute for traditional indirect moxibustion.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.11-17
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• 2008

Purpose: This study examined the application of electric stimulation to the auricle acupoint (frequency 2 Hz, stimulation level: noxious) with 30 elderly people over 65 years that received treatment in a rural hospital to determine the influence of pain, gait and balance in the aged with knee joint disease. Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups; the degenerative joint diseases (DJD) group (1 male, 9 females), the total knee replacement (TKR) group (1 male, 9 females) and the control group (1 male, 9 females). Auricualr electrical stimulation (AES) was applied with low frequency, high intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for 10 seconds per each point. Results: 1. For the change of pain according to AES, there was interaction in the resting period (p<0.001) and gait (p<0.001) and pain of the DJD group and TKR group was decreased. 2. The range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint showed a significant difference in interaction for each group of elderly people (p<0.001) and the ROM for the DJD group and TKR group of elderly people was increased. 3. In the analysis of gait speed changes, there was a significant difference in interaction for each group of elderly people (p<0.001) and for gait speed in the DJD group and TKR group of elderly people. 4. It was found in the change of static balance that there was a significant difference in interaction for each group of elderly people (p<0.01) and balance capacity in the DJD group and TKR group of elderly people was increased. Conclusion: The aged with knee joint disease have pain, and a decreased function of gait and balance. AES was an excellent treatment for control of pain, and an excellent treatment to enhanced joint functions. AES was useful for improving gait and balance due to decreased pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.23-29
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• 2006

Objectives : The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of automatically controlled rotating acupuncture (ACRA) on thermal allodynia in neuropathic pain rats, and to examine whether the endogenous opioid system mediates the effects of ACRA. Methods : For the neuropathic surgery, the right superior caudal trunk was resected at the level between S1 and S2 spinal nerves innervating the tail. Two weeks after the nerve injury, ACRA stimulation with 4 different stimulation conditions (i.e., angle and frequency of rotation: 90o+1Hz, 90o+1/4Hz, 360o+/1Hz, and 360o+1/4Hz) was delivered to the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint for 15 min. The behavioral signs of thermal allodynia were evaluated by the tail immersion test (i.e., immersing the tail in cold $(4^{\circ}C)$ or warm $(4^{\circ}C)$ water and measuring the latency to an abrupt tail movement) before and after the stimulation. In an additional set of experiments, we examined the effects of naloxone (opioid Results : ACRA stimulations under all of the conditions above significantly relieved thermal antagonist, 2mg/kg, i.p.) on the action of ACRA stimulation. allodynia. There is no difference in the anti-allodynic effects among the 4 stimulation conditions. In addition, the effect of ACRA on thermal allodynia was reversed by naloxone pretreatment. Conclusion : These results indicate that ACRA stimulations have relieving effects on thermal allodynia in neuropathic pain rats, irrespective of stimulation parameters, and that this is mediated by the endogenous opioid system.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.2747-2754
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• 2010

Cupping therapy has been used to extensive diseases. However, the research was yet to meridian and acupoint's change of state caused by Cupping. This study was considered a human-ripple effect by the anlaysis of meridian & acupoint's change of state. We developed the system which is keeps 30kPa Negative-pressure and stimulated on the Left Lung Meridian(LU) a halfway point between LU4 and LU5. We checked moisture and elasticity change on left/right acupoints & non-acupoints, then measured EMG Signal. We observed that moisture had little change(12.49%) and the better part of the elasticity on both sides had identified the change(64.42%). The number of the provoked acupoiunt elasticity change was more than non-acupoint. Also, elasticity change of Right side was more than Left side. We confirmed that RMS and Median Power change patterns were lower in proportional to the elastin change, but there was no significance about Median Frequency. Therefore inducing the change of elasticity and EMG signal on meridian-acupoints. Therefore, We checked the human-ripple effect Negative-pressure by the Cupping therapy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.625-642
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• 2022

Objectives: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common impairment of gastrointestinal motility and causes a delay in postoperative recovery, as well as an increased length of hospital stay, but no single strategy has a significant recuperative effect on POI. Studies of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) have reported improvements in bowel function after surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of TKM on postoperative ileus in gastric cancer patients. Methods: We used six databases to search for studies published from January 1, 2007, until May 11, 2022. The included studies were those reporting gastric cancer patients who received TKM treatment after gastrectomy through indicators related to POI. Results: The search identified 27 RCTs that used herbal medicine (Daegeonjung-tang and Gami-leejoongtang), herbal medicine combined with acupuncture (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, acupuncture and moxibustion, electroacupuncture, warm needling, transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA), low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation (LEAS), moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine as treatments for POI. The time to first flatus was shortened by herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). The time to the first defecation decreased significantly in response to the herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: TKM could be a promising option for preventing and resolving POI in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.132-132
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• 2002

Purpose： To investigate whether or not acupuncture of GB34 produces a significant response of the modulation of somatomotor areas by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. The acupoint, GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.74-85
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• 2007

Objective : In this study we wanted to confirm if proper stimulation and de-Qi of traditional Korean medical acupuncture could increase hot flash relief efficacy. Design : A randomized controlled, single blind study. We used two modalities of acupuncture, one with optimal stimulation [Study group; Korean medical acupuncture (TKMA)] and one with minimal stimulation [Control group; Minimal acupuncture (MA)]. Same acupoints [PC6(內關), HT8(少府), HT7(神門), LI4(合谷), ST36(足三里), SP6(三陰交), Ren4(關元)] were used in both groups. Fifty-two patients were treated twice a week for 8 weeks, and follow up was done after 4 weeks from the last treatment. Patients were checked hot flash VAS (visual analog scale), frequency and duration every time they visited. Results : Hot flash relief efficacy by 100mm hot flash VAS was obvious in both groups. Hot flash VAS scores of study group were smaller than the scores of control group at the early stage (3rd, $4^{th}$ and $8^{th}$ visit), but there wasn't a remarkable difference between study and control group at the end of the trial. Besides, diminution of hot flash VAS was faster and more even in the study group than control group by visualization using 'Box plot'. We compared frequency and duration of hot flash, 100mm sweating, palpitation, sleep disturbance VAS, and Kupperman Index, MENQOL, Patient's global assessment score. Both groups showed definite decrease from the baseline, but the difference was not statistically significant. There wasn't any adverse event. Hot flash relief efficacy was kept in most patients after 4 weeks' follow-up. Conclusion : Acupoint combination by Traditional Korean medical theory is effective on hot flashes and hot flash relief efficacy was faster and more even in optimal stimulation than minimal stimulation.