• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2021

This review investigated the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy treatment for scoliosis. There were 7 online databases used in the search from inception to March 17, 2021, for randomized controlled trials of the use of acupotomy in patients with scoliosis. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies included (n = 12). A quantitative synthesis of the randomized controlled trials was performed using RevMan Version 5.3. The effect sizes of studies were presented as mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes, with a 95% confidence interval. As part of combined therapy, acupotomy was reported to significantly improve Cobb's angle compared with other treatments. Likewise, the Visual Analog Scale score, the Oswestry Disability Index score, and pulmonary function were also reported to be improved following acupotomy combination therapy. Although 5 studies mentioned the criteria for reporting adverse events, only 1 study reported adverse events. In conclusion, acupotomy may be an effective treatment for scoliosis. However, the small number, and heterogeneity of the included studies, as well as the poor methodological quality, indicate that higher-quality studies should be conducted to verify the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy treatment for scoliosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.149-152
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• 2015

The aim of this study is to report clinical progresses on localized fat. We devised the method of treat localized fat using acupotomy with selective cryolysis. We selected 4 subjects among the patients who maintained their body weight (within 5%) to minimize effects of losing weight. We practiced acupotomy with selective cryolysis therapy on 4 lesion of abdominal fat, 2 lesion of upper arm fat, 5 times for 2 month. All subjects had loss of abdominal circumference, and 1 subject had significantly loss of upper arm circumference. And there was no adverse effects. It shows that method of using acupotomy with selective cryolysis may be effective on localized fat.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.117-125
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• 2008

Objectives : Analyze according to types of event causing the adverse outcome due to acupotomy, and discuss problems and safety reqirements to using this therapy in Korea. Methods : Based upon the indication, contraindication, treatment procedures, clinical obsevations, acupotomy-related adverse outcome case reports, the factors of damaging event were classified. Results : The main factors of adverse outcome by acupotomy were anatomical ignorance, contamination of device or hospital staff, failure to notice preexisting disease(cardiovascular disease, hypertension, renal failure, hemophilia, chronic Liver Disease, etc.), unskilled treatment procedures(massive bleeding) and techniques(nerve injury, hepatic and splenic injury, Pneumothorax). Conclusions : It is mandatory to prepare adequate sterilie aseptic technique. The clinician should ensure understand genernal health state of patient and anatomical direction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.162-166
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• 2023

This study aimed to demonstrate a safe and effective procedure targeting the A1 pulley with ultrasound-guided acupotomy in patients with a trigger finger. Six ultrasound-guided acupotomy procedures were performed on 1 patient. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score, Quinnell's classification of triggering, Tanaka score, and A1 pulley thickness were measured using ultrasonography before and after treatment. This study revealed reduced NRS score, Quinnell's classification of triggering, Tanaka score, and thickness of the A1 pulley, with no side effects during the procedure. This indicates ultrasound-guided acupotomy as an effective and safe treatment method for patients with a trigger finger. Further studies are required to evaluate the beneficial effects of this treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.53-59
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• 2011

Purpose: This observation was to report the clinical effects of acupotomy in treating lateral epicondylitis. Methods: Three patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were treated with acupotomy. Two were male and one was female. The improvement of symptom were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and self-consciousness symptoms of Cozen test. Results: After one treatments, patient's chief complaint and the pain near the lateral epicondyle while cozen test were notably improved. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that oriental medical treatment with acuputomy therapy has significant effect in improving symptoms of lateral epicondylitis. As though we had not wide experienced in this treatment, more research is needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.35-43
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this review is to overview and evaluate the current state of the usage of acupotomy. Methods : Eight electronic databases(Science direct, Pubmed, five Korean databases, CKNI) were searched for relevant articles and data from January 1999 to May 2014. Results : Thirty-nine articles were included. Acupotomy were used in musculoskeletal diseases(n=34) and other diseases(n=5). Among musculoskeletal diseases, lumbar spine(n=12) neck(n=5) and shoulder(n=3) diseases were mostly often used. Most studies(n=21) had small sample size(under 10 people) and combined with other therapies(acupuncture, herbal medicine, physical therapy, etc.). Conclusion : Acupotomy appears to be effective and useful for musculoskeletal diseases and some other diseases. But there were a few clinical studies for acupotomy and had many limitations to judge its effectiveness. Further modified studies are required.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of Korean medical treatments combined with acupotomy on patients diagnosed with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of twenty in patients diagnosed with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. They had received Korean medical treatment combined with acupotomy on tender points in the gluteus minimus muscle and piriformis muscle at Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital of Dong-Shin University from April, 2014 to December, 2014. To evaluate the efficacy of the treatments, the twenty in patients were asked to complete the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) before acupotomy, the first day after acupotomy, the third day after acupotomy, and the fifth day after acupotomy. Results : 1. NRS significantly decreased from $6.15{\pm}1.27$ to $3.90{\pm}1.45$. 2. ODI significantly decreased from $23.64{\pm}8.76$ to $15.95{\pm}7.35$. Conclusions : Korean medical treatment combined with acupotomy on tender points in the gluteus minimus muscle and piriformis muscle might be effective in reducing pain and improving the life quality of patients with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. We hope that further studies will be done to produce more clinical data and ensure effective application of these results.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.127-134
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• 2019

The Objective of this study is to report the results of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) patient with Korean medicine therapy. There were insufficient clinical trials and case reports of GTPS treated with Korean medicine, we report the GTPS case remarkably improved treatment results. We treated the patient with acupuncture, acupotomy, pharmacopuncture, Chuna manual therapy and herbal medication. To evaluate the treatment effects, we used the measures including Verbal numerical rating scale, Oswestry disability index and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-gluteal tendinopathy scale. After total of 26 days of treatment, the patient's hip pain and disability were greatly reduced, and the outcome measures showed this great improvement. Korean medicine therapy might be effective in GTPS, although further study is needed to determine the role for Korean medicine.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.4-10
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• 2018

The aim of this report was to show the effects of acupotomy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Four patients were treated with acupotomy twice. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Tinel's sign, Phalen's test, Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire (BCTQ), muscular strength test, and a cross-sectional area of median nerve was measured using ultrasound before and after treatment. In all 4 cases, the VAS score, BCTQ score and cross-sectional area of median nerve, all decreased and muscular strength test score increased. Tinel's sign and the Phalen's test changed from a positive to a negative in most cases. This report shows that acupotomy is an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Further larger are needed to fully evaluate the beneficial effects of this treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.172-181
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• 2019

This case report relates to a 40-year old male patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis who was treated with acupotomy and traditional Korean medicine. He showed a significant improvement in joint range of motion (ROM) in cervical and lumbar vertebrae, and in pain and functional disorder symptoms. The patient received acupotomy, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine and physical therapy (November 26, 2018 to December 17, 2018). Joint ROM for cervical and lumbar vertebrae was measured, and the pain level was assessed using a numerical rating scale. The functional disorder and quality of life scales were also assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. After applying acupotomy and traditional Korean medicine, the patient exhibited increased joint ROM and reduced pain, also in conjunction with improved responses in functional disorder and quality of life.