• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2022

Background: This study investigated the clinical effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). Methods: There were 61 patients who were diagnosed with SIS in the Jaseng hospital network of KM (7 hospitals located in Korea: Gangnam, Daejeon, Bucheon, Haeundae, Bundang, Ulsan, and Gwangju) between January 1^st, 2015 and December 31^st, 2020 who were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were grouped according to complications, intake of analgesics, duration of illness preadmission, and treatment. Treatments consisted of herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, Chuna, pharmacopuncture, bee venom pharmacopuncture, medicinal steaming, Daoyin exercises, and physical therapy. By comparing the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions questionnaire scores, the effectiveness of integrated KM treatment was evaluated. Results: There were 14 males and 47 females. For inpatients diagnosed with SIS, the mean NRS score decreased from 5.78 ± 1.33 to 3.40 ± 1.43 (p < 0.001). The mean Shoulder Pain and Disability Index score decreased from 53.87 ± 14.76 to 38.56 ± 18.87 (p < 0.001), and the mean European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions questionnaire increased from 0.67 ± 0.13 to 0.76 ± 0.09 (p < 0.001) after KM treatment. Medicinal steaming (0.398; p < 0.001), acupuncture (0.290), cupping (0.288), bee venom pharmacopuncture (0.282), and Daoyin exercises (0.262; p < 0.05) had a positive correlation with improved changes in the NRS score. Conclusion: Conclusion: Treatment with integrated KM treatment improved the pain, range of motion, shoulder function, and quality of life of patients with SIS.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.207-217
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• 2015

A multi-cup electric cupping system (MECS) was proposed, based on the ancient cupping method. MECS consisted of several cups that could be used simultaneously to treat 85 lumbago patients. Each cup was equipped with its own pump and pressure-monitoring system. The vacuum pressure of the cups was controlled using fuzzy logic. Through automated control of the vacuum pressure, long-term relief of muscle tightness was achieved. To develop a scientific foundation for this alternative treatment, we compared the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores from conventional basic cupping to the ODI scores for our proposed MECS. The ODI scores using MECS decreased from $11.71{\pm}1.61$ before treatment to $4.81{\pm}1.48$ and $1.87{\pm}1.61$ after three and five treatments, respectively. The improvement rate in the ODI scores using MECS after three treatments was higher than that achieved by basic cupping. These results, combined with the convenience offered by enhanced information technology and fuzzy logic capabilities, should increase the efficiency of this device, and facilitate the opportunity to further explore the potential of Oriental medical practices.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.308-316
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• 2021

Objectives : This study aimed to develop a cupping pressure control valve for limiting maximum negative pressure while achieving clinical therapeutic outcomes to minimize side effects induced by excessive negative pressure of air extraction cupping devices. Methods : To determine the clinical necessity and suitability of the cupping pressure control valve, this study was designed to measure the change in pressure with or without the valve using both a manual and an electric suction pump. Results : While the maximum pressure was limited by the pressure control valve, the pressure did not increase above a certain level regardless of the type of manual or electric pump. Conclusions : This study will contribute to the development of a safer and more effective base technology for cupping treatment in oriental medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.141-150
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• 2011

Objectives : The aims of this study were to evaluate a blister caused by cupping. Methods : We searched relevant case reports, survey, and review articles using databases of online bibliography. Results : 1. The fluid in the blister caused by cupping therapy is normal substance by laboratory analysis. The fluid has no signs of infection in the culture, Gram stain, or tissue biopsy 2. In histological finding, the blister caused by cupping therapy is made by dermo-epidermal seperation at subcellular level. Suction blistering was neither inflammatory nor autolysis activation of lysosomal hydrolases. 3. Blistering times directly, related to suction pressure. Suction blister formation time is accelerated in older subjects compared with younger individuals and higher temperature was more susceptable to the blister compared with lower temperature. The flexor aspect of forearm is a easy site for suction blister formation compared with leg and abdominal site. 4. Blister caused by cupping therapy is treated by regular and judicious changes of sterile dressing over several weeks. The vesicles healed well and left no visible scar. Conclusions : Blister caused by cupping therapy is artificially controlled by doctor's therapeutic purpose. Blister is not histologically injurious to health and the blister is a natural concomitant after cupping therapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-3
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• 2018

This case report demonstrates the beneficial effects of cupping therapy (CT) in a 35-year-old man who is diagnosed with a fracture of the radial shaft due to a motorcycle accident. One year after the treatment started, pseudoarthrosis developed in the radius and an autogenous iliac bone graft was performed. However, extension dysfunction in the wrist became evident. After another 6 months of physical therapy and rehabilitation, no improvements were observed. Therefore, CT and adjunctive electrostimulation were performed, after 30 days of treatment, marked recovery of muscle function and full wrist extension were observed, as determined by electromyography and a grade 5/5 on the Medical Research Council power of wrist extension scale. The results in this case study suggest that CT in conjunction with adjunctive electrostimulation, may accelerate functional recovery from postoperative radial palsy, and provide a useful alternative treatment in this situation.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2015

Objective This study investigated the effect of Korean Traditional medicine treatment with Acupuncture, Cupping, Physical Therapy and Ganghwalijetong-yeum(Qianghuochutong-yin) on Knee joint Osteoarthritis patients. Methods 5 Knee joint Osteoarthritis patients were treated with Ganghwalijetong-yeum(Qianghuochutong-yin), acupunture, cupping, physical therapy and exercise for Knee joint Osteoarthritis. K-WOMAC(Western Ontario and McMasters Universitis) Index, VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) were checked to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Results K-WOMAC of patients treated with Ganghwalijetong-yeum(Qianghuochutong-yin) is improved from $67.00{\pm}24.41$ to $44.80{\pm}21.18$ and there was statistical significance(p<0.05). VAS of patients treated with Ganghwalijetong-yeum(Qianghuochutong-yin) is also improved from $4.20{\pm}1.79$ to $2.30{\pm}1.10$ but there was no statistical significance(p>0.05). Conclusions According to the study, Korean Traditional complex therapy with Ganghwalijetong-yeum(Qianghuochutong-yin) might improve Knee joint Osteoarthritis.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.32-34
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• 2019

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a reactive hypermelanosis of the skin that occurs as a result of variable inflammatory processes, such as trauma, and many inflammatory conditions. Although a range of modalities of managing PIH have been reported, the treatment of PIH is challenging. In this report, a patient with PIH was treated using picosecond-domain Nd:YAG lasers. After three sessions of 1,064-nm picosecond-domain Nd:YAG laser treatment, the patient showed almost complete improvement with no remarkable side effects or recurrence over the duration of six months. Overall, 1,064-nm picosecond-domain Nd:YAG laser can be used effectively and safely for treating pigmented lesions in the dermis, particularly PIH, in Asian patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.127-139
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Traditional Korean Medical treatment on Postherpetic Neuralgia. Methods : Five patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia were treated with Warm Needling, Bee venom Acupuncture, Cupping Therapy, Sipjeondaebo-tang. To evaluate the results of this treatment, we used Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Pain Rating Scale(PRS), Quality of Sleep(QSP). Results : After treatment, VAS, PRS, QSP and clinical symptoms of 5 patients were improved remarkably. Conclusions : According to the results, These findings suggest that Traditional Korean Medical treatment can be effective for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.226-230
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• 2016

Objectives : The objective of this study is to report a effectiveness of korean medical treatment based on Meridian Tendino-musculature Acupuncture to patient with cervical dystonia. Methods : In this study, we conducted treatment based on Meridian Tendino-musculature Acupuncture to patients. And we also carried out treatments like herb medicine and cupping therapy etc. Tsui's score, Neck Disability Index(NDI), Visual analogue scale(VAS) and angle of C-spine were measured once a month to evaluate the severeness of symptom. Results : After 24 sessions of treatment, there were improvements on Tsui's score, Neck Disability Index(NDI), Visual analogue scale(VAS) and angle of C-spine. Conclusions : Korean medical treatment based on Meridian Tendino-musculature Acupuncture may be effective for relieving symptoms of cervical dystonia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.63-71
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study is to develop the system and evaluate the optical analytical technique that reflects acupoint pigmentation and extravasated blood by cupping. Methods : We designed the system able to express XYZ coordinate on local skin color. To evaluate measurement-accuracy, we compared with 24 Color Checker Chart by standardized Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage. After confirming the performance of system, we experimented with cupping which was 80 kPa negative pressure for 1 minute on left/right BL13. The X, Y and Z values were converted to R, G and B, $L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$, Erythema Index (E.I.), and Melanin Index (M.I). We compared and analyzed two cases on before/after cupping. Results : The R, G and B values which were converted by X, Y and Z values had high linearity as a high level of R-square (R: 0.969, G: 0.996, and B: 0.992). Moreover, we confirmed that it was possible to quantitatively analyzed the change in skin color by cupping using R, G, B, $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, E.I., and M.I. Conclusions : Therefore, we proposed the new analytical technique for objectifying the oriental medical diagnostic method using cupping and optical sensing technique.