• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.61-76
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• 2007

Objectives : Accurate and reproducible location of an acupuncture point (AP) have been considered an essential component of meaningful acupuncture research as well as clinical practice. Several kinds of devices have been developed and widely used for the convenience of locating APs. However, the accuracy and convenience of these devices have not been systematically evaluated. The present study was performed to find out the most suitable tools for the location accuracy and location easiness of APs among the devices respectively. Methods : Twenty subjects attempted to locate APs, including PC5 and SP6 in the arm and leg, using four different AP positioning methods: one Conventional Ruler method and three alternative methods including Cunometer, Transparent AP meter, and Elastic Ruler method. The position marked on each AP was plotted onto a thin, flexible, and transparent plastic film, and the dispersion rate of the positions was determined and recorded. The elapsed time for locating each AP was measured. After that each subject was answered to a short questionnaire regarding the degree of convenience and confidence of use of each method for AP location. Results : All of three alternative methods took less time than Conventional Ruler method did. Among these alternative methods, the accuracy of Elastic Ruler method was markedly higher than others. The degree of convenience of the Cunometer and the confidence of Elastic Ruler method were the highest among these alternative methods. Conclusions : The present study indicates that the Elastic Ruler method was the most compatible for the conventional Ruler methods. However, there are many factors need to be reconsidered. Improved devices for locating AP are imperatively needed for clinical practice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.835-840
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• 2008

Acupuncture has long been contended to be effective in an ischemic stroke. A real-time monitoring of glutamate, an excitotoxin in the process of ischemic neuronal damage, in the striatum is tried in a rat model of global ischemia. Global ischemia was induced by the 11 vessel occlusion method for 10 minutes, during which acupuncture stimulation on GB34 and GB39 points was executed. Glutamate release in the rat striatum was monitored 256 times per second using real-time amperometric biosensor. Real time measurement data of 10 minutes prior to the induction of ischemia served as baseline data. Data acquisition continued for 30 minutes after the initiation of reperfusion. Peak concentration of glutamate release along with incidentally measured EEG and cerebral blood flow was compared between cases with and without acupuncture stimulation. Peak concentration of glutamate lowered when acupuncture stimulation was executed. A real time monitoring system of 11 vessel-occlusion induced global ischemia model was successfully established. The effect by acupuncture on acute global ischemia was successfully observed in this real-time monitoring setting, which may be one of the neuroprotective mechanism of acupuncture.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.10-23
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• 2000

Four-constitutional theory proposed by Dr. Lee, Je-ma has been evolve for last 100years by his followers. One of the major progresses was the emergence of constitutional acupuncture proposed by Dr. Kwan Doh-won. Constitutional acupuncture included the new pulse diagnostic method to determine the body type, pulse diagrams and corresponding acupuncture method called five element acupuncture in which five-element points in 12 meridian channels are used. Dr. Sa-ahm proposed five-element acupuncture three and a half hundred years age. Conjunction of Dr Lee's theory to Dr. Kwan proposed eight constitutions with eight pulse diagrams. He also adopted eight acupuncture prescriptions out of twenty-four Sa-ahm's acupuncture prescriptions. The author, Dr. Yom Tae-hwa, proposed more inclusive theory of 24 constitutions with 24 diagnostic pulse diagrams in Las Vegas International Acupuncture Convention in 1986. This article reviews history of constitutional medicine briefly. Each step of theoretical evolution from four-constitutional theory to twenty-four-constitutional theory is explained. By understanding the theoretical connection between twelve meridian channels based on five-element theory and four-constitutional theory in the article, one will easily accept the emergence of twelve of twenty four constitutional theory. Next, the article is focused on four subcategories under Sao-Yin constitution, which are one-sixth of 24 constitution. in this section classification, pulse diagnostic method, pulse diagram acupuncture prescriptions and herbal prescriptions are explained in detail. Then, clinical trial reports of acupuncture treatment and/or herbal formulas for such constitutions are attached for the rest part of the article. the purpose of this paper is to present the new hypothesis with the result of preliminary clinical trial hoping that additional clinical reports from other practitioners in this field triggers well-designed clinical study in future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.444-452
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• 2007

Acupuncture treatment cures disease by regulating the functional excessiveness or deficiency which occurs in the meridian and visceral organs, and by letting stagnated Qi and Blood flow through the whole body and then controlling Qi. Whether or not to have Qi feeling is the main factor needed to manifest the efficacy of acupuncture. So it needs the very stimulus to make Qi felt rather than the simple stimulus. In order to have Qi feeling, it needs to acupuncture a patient according to patient's thinness or fatness, constitution, richness or poverty and age. And also it needs to vary the way to acupuncture a patient according to meridian, kinds of pulse, degrees of disease, new or old diseases, seasons with a disease and local areas of disease. In order to ascertain that it is important for the quality and quantity of acupuncture stimulus and the state of feeling acupuncture to get the efficacy of acupuncture, the experiment was planned to confirm whether the form and Qi of subject has different result according to the stimulated duration and depth. On the basis of the report that acupuncture on derma, when using electroacupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) which denotes small intestinal motility, is more efficient than full depth acupuncture, I got the following result, after I observed whether the stimulated duration and depth give different efficacy according to the sex and weights of rat in experiment. The increased effects of small intestinal motility by electroacupuncture on Zusanli(ST 36) appeared after stimulating full depth for thirty minutes without distinction of sex and weights. This significant change was observed only in the female experimental group when I distinguished the sex. The small interstinal motility in rats by electroacupuncture at zusanli(ST 36) decreased in the 10 minutes' stimulated group and 30 minutes' stimulated group by duration on the one hand, and derma-deep stimulated group and full depth stimulated group by the depth of stimulus on the other hand, as the weights increased. This result shows that the duration and depth of acupuncture depends on the differences of acupuncture points, sex of the experimental animals, ages, and, weights. And the further study on the experimental and clinical differences and sextual differences need to be continued on.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.130-287
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• 2011

"zhenjiusunanyaozhi(鍼灸素難要旨)" is composed of three volumes and published in 1529 by Gao Wu(高武). Gao Wu(高武) is skillful in astronomy, the art of war and the law as well as a medical practitioner in Ming Dynasty. The books he wrote "zhenjiujuying(鍼灸聚英)", "zhizhi(直指)", "douzhenzhengzong(痘疹正宗)", "shexuezhinan(射學指南)", "zhenjiujieyao(鍼灸節要)". "zhenjiusunanyaozhi鍼灸素難要旨" is written by classifying the origin of acupuncture and moxibustion. In other words, it is edited by classifying the contents related to acupuncture and moxibustion out of the ancient Chinese medical book "yellow emperor's canon of medicine and yellow emperor eighty-one difficult" in which are composed of 3 volumes as follows, Volume 1 says the main diseases on "the nine acupuncture needles figure" (九針圖), "the reinforcing and reducing the meridian" (補瀉), "the needle depth" (針刺深淺), "the five shu points - metal, wood, water, fire, earth" (正,滎,輸,經,合) based on 18 chapters in terms of acupuncture in "yellow emperor eighty-one Difficult "難經"", in which it quotes the annotation of "the difficulty by the original meaning "難經本義"" written by Hua Shou(滑壽) in Yuan Dynasty. Volume 2 is composed of 2 parts. Part 1 says the method of treatment on 36 Chapters, the method of acupuncture use in the Linshu "靈樞" and the Suwen "素問" such as "the rule of acupuncture use" (用針方宜), "the nine-pin method" (九針式) and "the nine-pin to only use the time appropriate to consider nature of Heaven, Earth and person" (九針應天地人時以起用) etc., Part 2 says "the five difficult acupuncture(五亂刺)", "the rise and fall of energy and blood(氣血盛衰)". "the pain tolerance(耐痛)" and ect., in which are in terms of method of treatment collected the original texts of 59 chapters on acupuncture to each disease and of 8 chapters on moxibustion in the Linshu "靈樞" and the Suwen "素問". Volume 3 includes 10 chapters in which consist of "the stabbing to disease in 12 meridians (十二經病刺)", "the eight extra meridian disease (寄經八脈病)", "the twelve meridians(十二經脈)", "the fifteen collaterals (十五絡脈), the twelve meridian muscles (十二經筋)", "the acupoint (孔穴)" and etc. This is the book edited comprehensively by classifying the contents on the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion and the circulations of meridians in "yellow emperor's canon of medicine and yellow emperor eighty-one difficult" and there is no case story in particular except his comments in person. This study is for the purpose of helping researching and developing acupuncture and moxibustion and applying their clinical training.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for recovery of patients with vertebral compression fracture(VCF). Methods : We searched ten English and Chinese and seven Korean database up to April 2018. Randomised controlled trials(RCTs), quasi-RCTs, non-radomised Controlled Trials(CCTs) were eligible. Quasi-RCTs and CCTs were assessed only for safety assessment. Pain and adverse events were primary outcome of this review. Quality of life, dysfunction, patient satisfaction, incidence of new vertebral compression fracture were regarded as secondary outcomes. The risk of bias was assessed by two independent authors using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Level of evidence was tabulated using the GRADE methods. Results : Of 1656 screened, 15 RCTs, 1 quasi-RCT and 3 CCTs were included. Number of participants per study ranged from 45 to 135. Most of the studies had unclear or high risk of bias and considerable heterogeneity in terms of type of intervention, comparison and time-points for outcome measurement. Compared to usual care alone, acupuncture combined with usual care showed short-term favorable results for pain relief in patients with VCF(5 studies, n=252, MD -1.05 point on a 0 to 10 point scale, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.65, $I^2=74%$). Four studies reported mild and temporary adverse events, and no serious adverse events were reported. One study descriptively reported that acupuncture was effective for improving quality of life without providing numerical outcomes. There were no reports of patient satisfaction and incidence of new VCF. Conclusions : Level of evidence is very low for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for pain, harms and other clinical outcomes in patients with VCF. Included studies suffered from incomplete reporting, high or unclear risk of bias and substantial heterogeneity between studies. Future high-quality RCTs are needed to assess whether acupuncture is beneficial for recovery of patients with VCF.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.245-248
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• 2003

Propagation of light along a pericardium meridian is measured and compared with that along a non-meridian path one cm away from the meridian. Source-light is illuminated on the Nei-Guan(PC6) and propagated light is detected at three points along the meridian. Four reference points are one cm away from the corresponding meridian points, respectively. Light propagates better along the meridian than the reference path with more than twenty percent difference for all the subjects tested.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 2003

Objectives : Assuming that the characteristic of meridian system has been similar to that of electrical potentials in human body and that measurements of electrical potential at well(井穴) and sea (合穴) points in branches of the twelve meridians(WSBTM) will be representative of measurements of the twelve meridians, to measure the electrical potentials of 13 patients with stiffness of nape(項强症, SN), to find out the characteristic of meridian system in patients with SN. Methods : Electrical potentials of well and sea points in the meridians in 13 patients with stiffness at neck diagnosed as SN were repeatedly measured by physiograph(PowerLab). Measurements of those electrical potentials were analyzed by factor analysis. Results and Conclusions : The electrical potentials of WSBTM at the left side were divided into five factors. On the other hand those at the right side were divided into five factors. In conclusion, electrical potentials of well and sea points might be the representative meridian to show their characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.119-127
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the study is to analyze various studies subjected to sachonghyeol (SCH; Four command points) including ST36, BL40, LU7, LI4 in Korean literature. Methods : To analyze the results of SCH studies, The search was made through OASIS database. The search terms used were "ST36 OR BL40 OR LU7 OR LI4". Of 147 papers, 2 irrelevant papers were excluded and finally 145 papers were analyzed. Results : Thirty two studies were associated with pain control in various conditions using SCH. The pain control study of SCH covered 22 % of total studies. The next study topic was digestive function of SCH. Conclusion : To expand the clinical usage of SCH, the studies based on regulating function of SCH on ascending and descending ki, and coming in and out of ki are required to be performed in the future.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.47-65
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• 2000

The meridian, the meridian point and the Acupuncture-Bu-Xie(鍼灸補瀉) of oriental medicine are very important in the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Until now it has been confused at the practical use, and it showed up many transformation to the ages and many scholars. And then, I made a study of effects on the thermal changes of Sangyang($LI_1$,商陽), Igan($LI_2$,二間), Samgan($LI_3$,三間), Hapkok($LI_4$,合谷), Yanggye($LI_5$,陽谿), Kokchi($LI_{11}$,曲池), Yonghyang($LI_{20}$,迎香) following acupuncture on the Hapkok with the Rotated Acupuncture-Bu-Xie(捻轉補瀉) stimulation. This study researched into clinical statistics for 140 men who are in good health, and they are studying oriental medicine at Woosuk university in Korea. This study was covered a period of 3 months form June, 1999 to August, 1999. The objective was divided into seven groups, those are the control group(CON, N=20), the acupuncture stimulation group with non-rotation on Hapkok of left hand(A-I, N=20), the acupuncture stimulation group with non-rotation on non-meridian point(NA) of left hand(A-II, N=20), the acupuncture stimulation group with Bu-rotation(捻轉補法) on Hapkok of left hand(B-I, N=20), the acupuncture stimulation group with Bu-rotation on non-meridian point(NA) of left hand(B-II, N=20), the acupuncture stimulation group with Xie-rotation(捻轉瀉法) on Hapkok of left hand(C-I, N=20), and the acupuncture stimulation group with Xie-rotation on non-meridian point of left hand(C-II, N=20). The first, I took a picture for 140 men with the Digital infrared thermal image(D.I.T.I.). After 10 minutes, I took a second picture for each group following experimental methods, those were followed acupuncture on the Hapkok and the non-meridian point with the retentive and Rotated Acupuncture-Bu-Xie stimulation. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Large Intestine Meridian of the acupuncture stimulation group on Hapkok different from the control groups with significantly change. 2.The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Large Intestine Meridian of acupuncture stimulation groups on non-meridian point was not significantly different from the control group. 3. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Large Intestine Meridian of the acupuncture stimulation group with Bu-rotation on Hapkok different from the control group with significant increase. 4. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Large Intestine Meridian of acupuncture stimulation group with Bu-rotation on non-meridian point was not significantly different from the control group. 5. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Large Intestine Meridian of the acupuncture stimulation group with Xie-rotation on Hapkok different from the control group with significant decrease and increase following the decreasing or increasing temperature class, and the increasing temperature class of the acupuncture stimulation group with Xie-rotation on Hapkok significantly different from the acupuncture stimulation group with Bu-rotation on Hapkok. 6. The thermal changes of the area which is a meridian point in the Large Intestine Meridian of acupuncture stimulation group with Xie-rotation on non-meridian point was not significantly different from the control group. As a conclusion, I could think that the acupuncture stimulation with Bu-rotation or Xie-rotation on Hapkok affected the thermal change of the area which is a meridian point in the Large Intestine Meridian. And then I could relate these results with the existence of the meridian and meridian point, and with the Rotated Acupuncture-Bu-Xie theory of oriental medicine.