• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to introduce the types and contents of books related to acupuncture published in North Korea that can be identified in South Korea, and to understand the general characteristics of North Korean acupuncture. Methods : Firstly, we identified books related to acupuncture in the Information Center on North Korea of the National Library of Korea. Specialized books on treatment interventions such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, electrotherapy, and manual therapy including acupressure which stimulate acupoints were included in the study. Two authors reviewed the title, table of contents, and contents of each book in the order of publication year for the searched books. Based on this, the characteristics and trends of North Korean acupuncture were comprehensively examined. Results : The included 18 books were published between 1964 and 2018. One of them was considered a Chinese book translated into Korean and published in China, and another was a North Korean book republished by a South Korean publisher. Except for these, all were published in North Korea, two of which were translations of Chinese books. Most of them were books on the theory and clinical applications of acupuncture, but some of them focused on specific treatment interventions such as auricular acupuncture, fire needling, manual therapy, cupping, or electrotherapy. Also, there was a book about the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in a neurophysiological way. Conclusions : Since the mid-1960s, North Korea has been steadily attempting to combine acupuncture and Western medicine by applying the disease name and classification system of Western medicine, using modern diagnostic technique, and explaining the mechanism of acupuncture based on the latest research. After the 2000s, the standard international acupuncture nomenclature by World Health Organization was used. In recent years, there has been a tendency to publish and widely disseminate specialized books on non-pharmacological treatment such as cupping, electrotherapy, and fire needling.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.209-217
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• 2010

This study was performed to report the effect of oriental medical treatments on the 4 patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. The 4 patients were treated by cupping, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture on tender points of the greater tuberosity of humerus. The state of patients was measured by visual analog scale(VAS) and shoulder range of motion(ROM). After mean 3.25 times of treatments, the significant recovery of shoulder ROM was measured and the significant pain relief was seen as the average of VAS changed from 8.5 to 1. These results suggest that oriental medical treatments including cupping, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture are effective to improve the calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. However more rigorous study should be followed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.41-49
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was aimed at examining significant curative effects of Cupping therapy on Cerebral infarction patients with hyperlipidemia. Methods : The subjects in this study were fifty-two patients visited or admitted to Dong-seo Oriental Hospital who broke out with Cerebral infarction from March 2007 through February 2008, with high total cholesterol(240mg/$d\ell$ above) or high triglyceride(200mg/$d\ell$ above) or low density lipoprotein(160mg/$d\ell$ above) Before prescription, they were tested for total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein with fasting and were then rescribed the cupping therapy for 4 weeks(take an average ten times), after which they were retested for total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein. Results : 1. In the high total cholesterol group(triglyceride and low density lipoprotein are normal), statistical significance of total cholesterol changes was recognized before and after the treatment. 2. In the high triglyceride group(total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein are normal), statistical significance of triglyceride changes was recognized before and after the treatment. 3. In the high low density lipoprotein group(total cholesterol and triglyceride are normal), statistical significance of triglyceride changes was recognized before and after the treatment. 4. In the high total cholesterol and high triglyceride group(low density lipoprotein is normal), statistical significance of total cholesterol changes was recognized before and after the treatment. But, triglyceride changes was not that. 5. In the high total cholesterol and high low density lipoprotein group(triglyceride is normal), statistical significance of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein changes were recognized before and after the treatment. 6. In the high triglyceride and high low density lipoprotein group(total cholesterol is normal), statistical significance of triglyceride changes was recognized before and after the treatment. But, low density lipoprotein changes was not that. 7. In the high total cholesterol and high triglyceride and high low density lipoprotein group, statistical significance of total cholesterol changes and low density lipoprotein changes were recognized before and after the treatment. But, triglyceride changes was not that. Conclusions : Cupping therapy decreased total cholesterol in whole hyperlipidemia group including high total cholesterol.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.125-132
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report the patient diagnosed as calcific tendinitis located at supraspinatus, who improved by Oriental medical treatment, through analysis of radiograph. Methods : The patient was managed by acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping without medication and physical therapy. We measured the shoulder state by radiograph and evaluated with UCLA shoulder rating scale. Results : After 5 week treatment, the pain of patient and The UCLA functional average score was improved. Also we found that the deposits of calcific tendinitis was almost disappeared in radiograph. Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping can be effective in reducing the pain and the deposits of calcific tendinitis. We think that it need the further study and clinical trial for calcific tendinitis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.141-153
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• 2005

Objectives : This survey was accomplished to find out how Korean medical doctors take acupuncture treatment in real clinics. Methods : The survey questions were developed by the consensus from the professors who major in acupuncture and moxibustion. The questionnaire was given the 2731 Korean medical doctors at the mending education site; In addition, it was given to 793 doctors working at the 105 Korean medical hospitals listed on the National Korean Medical Hospital Associations Address book by postal mail; and also it was given to the 142 public health care Korean medical doctors who attended the conference for the municipal and provincial representatives of the public health service Korean medical doctors. Total of 1277 questionnaires were retrieved out of the 3666 subjects. Results : 1. Nine hundred out of 1277 Korean medical doctors used method of differentiation syndromes(70.4%) and 1184 out of 1277 Korean medical doctors convalescence decide with subjective symptom improvement of patient(92.6%). 2. Nine hundred eight out of 1277 Korean medical doctors used both local and remote points(71.0%) and 916 out of 1277 Korean medical doctors treat with method of reinforcement-reduction(71.7%). 3. Eleven hundred fifth five out of 1277 Korean medical doctors used cupping a boil(90.3%) and 1023 out of 1277 Korean medical doctors used moxibustion(80.1%). Conclusion : When Korean medical doctors treat with acupuncture, most of them diagnose with differentiation methods and meridian theory, decide convalescence with subjective symptom improvement of patient, select out of both local and remote acupuncture points, treat with method of basic reinforcement-reduction, apply moxa and cupping a boil when they are necessary. The cupping a boil comes to be used when being muscle and joint disease. The moxa comes to be used when being chronic disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.243-252
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• 2005

목적 : 급성기 족관절 염좌 환자에 있어서 자락발관법이 실제 효과가 있는지 근거 중심 의학(Evidence Based Medicine)적으로 연구된 사례가 드물어서 이를 객관적으로 검증하기 위하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방법 : 골절이 배제되고, 명백한 외상력이 있으며, 발병 후 1주일 이내에 내원하였으며 다른 치료를 받지 않은 환자 29명을 대상으로 무작위로 실험군과 대조군으로 나누어 자락발관법 유무의 차이를 두고 시술하였다. 치료시작점과 3회 시술 후 Ankle-Hindfood Scale(AHS)와 Numerical Rating Scale(NRS)을 평가하여 비교 분석하였다. 결과 : 29명중 19명이 최종 평가되었다. 자락발관법을 시행한 실험군(n=11)이 자락발관법을 시행하지 않은 대조군(n=8)에 대해 AHS와 NRS 모두 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보였다(p=0.041, 0. 026). 결론 : 급성기 족관절 염좌에 있어 자락발관법의 시행은 통증을 비롯한 증상 감소에 객관적인 효과가 있다.

• Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.375-379
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• 2018

Background and aim: Heavy metals have been recognized as toxins for centuries. Cupping therapy has been shown to aid in the excretion of accumulated fluids and toxins from the interstitial fluid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wet cupping therapy on blood levels of heavy metals. Methods: Thirteen healthy male individuals [mean age ${\pm}$ standard deviation, $28.47{\pm}6.18$] participated in this study. Venous blood samples were collected 5 min before and 30 days after the wet cupping therapy. Five points of the posterior neck and bilateral perispinal areas of the neck and thoracic spine were selected for cupping therapy. The levels of aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The levels of heavy metals (Al, Zn, and Cd) after cupping therapy were significantly lower than the levels before therapy. Conclusions: These results suggest that wet cupping therapy has an excretory effect on the kidney. Wet cupping therapy may clear blood from excess heavy metals.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2021

Background: Pressure changes related to temperature variation during cupping may lead to dropout. This study aimed to investigate pressure changes related to temperature variations in the cup during the cupping procedure. Methods: Changes in temperature and pressure were measured for 15 minutes after the procedure was performed using the alcohol rub method with glass cups and with the addition of infrared irradiation. Changes in temperature and pressure were also measured for 15 minutes after pumping 3 times using the valve suction method, and with the addition of infrared irradiation. Results: In a comparison between the alcohol rub method with glass cups and with the addition of infrared irradiation, the negative pressure increased over time in the absence of infrared irradiation, whereas it decreased when performed with infrared irradiation p = 0.094. However, in a comparison between pumping 3 times using the valve suction method, and with the addition of infrared irradiation, the negative pressure decreased in both cases, but this was more significant with infrared irradiation p = 0.172. There was a significantly higher temperature in the glass cups (p = 0.004) and the valve cups (p = 0.001) exposed to infrared radiation, compared with no infrared irradiation. Conclusion: The reduction in negative pressure inside the cups exposed to infrared radiation was greater than without infrared irradiation. Temperature increases inside the cup can lead to the risk of dropout.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.351-355
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• 2023

Background: Wet cupping (WC) is an efficient and cost-effective technique for removing metabolic waste from the bloodstream via the skin. The study aimed to examine the effect of WC on cholesterol levels including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in a Sudanese population. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 30 participants undergoing regular WC therapy were enrolled. Blood samples collected twice: pre-WC therapy (case group) and 10-14 days afterward (controls). Results: Of the participants, 56.67% were male and 43.33% were female, aged 24-69. Pre-WC TC and LDL-C levels were significantly higher than the post-WC control group (p = 0.001). Conversely, HDL-C levels decreased significantly in the pre-WC cases compared to controls (p = 0.001). No significant sex-based difference in mean cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). Conclusions: After WC, males and females experienced significant reductions in TC and LDL-C, and significant increase in HDL-C.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.101-103
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• 2018

Cupping therapy (CT) is used in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and is prevalent in Muslim communities where it is recommended by the Prophet of Islam. The majority of modern, medical practitioners interested in CT, view it as a medical technique and distance themselves from the mechanisms proposed by traditional medicine. However, modern medicine does not offer a valid explanation for the mechanisms involved in CT. There is growing evidence of CT's effectiveness, specifically in chronic pain management when compared to an inactive control, but not against sham treatment. CT accompanied by religion and prayer, as it is in Muslim communities, cannot be considered to be equivalent to any procedures in modern medicine. "Whole System Research" may be the most appropriate trial design to test the ancient practice of CT efficacy whilst pending development of a novel placebo for assessing the connectivity of body and mind interventions.