• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.519-536
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to figure out which acupoints are selected to treat low back pain and attempt to analyze the effectiveness of those acupoints in current clinical trials. Methods : We searched the three electronic databases(PUBMED, RISS, KISS) and manually checked related Korean journals and reference lists up to April 2012. We included randomized controlled trials, clinical controlled trials, and case reports/series using needle type acupuncture( manual acupuncture, electronic acupuncture) to treat low back pain in English and Korean. We investigated the frequency of selected acupoints, change of visual analogue scale of low back pain and statistical significance in each study among trials. Results : We included 37 articles(Domestic 17, International 20) 53 studies(Domestic 28, International 25) in this study. The most frequently adopted acupoints were BL23, BL24, BL25, GB30, BL26, BL60, BL32, BL40, KI3, GV3, ST36 in domestic studies and BL23, BL25, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB34, BL32, BL26 in international studies. There were differential effectiveness of acupoints between domestic and the international studies using statistical significance of visual analog scale for low back pain. Conclusions : These results suggest that both proximal and distal acupoints based on meridian theory were used in clinical trials to treat low back pain. It would be helpful to provide clinical guideline, evaluate the results of clinical trials appropriately, and reveal the effectiveness of acupoints.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제27권1호
• /
• pp.49-62
• /
• 2010

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of manual acupuncture, invasive laser acupuncture and laser skin irradiation at LU8, LR4, HT8 and LR2(Liver Seunggyeok) on D-galN-induced liver injury in rats. Method: Liver injury was induced with D-galN. The experimental rats were divided four groups(Control group, EXP-1, EXP-2, EXP-3). In the Control group, liver injury-induced and not treated. EXP-1 group was liver injury-induced and carried out manual acupuncture with Young-Su(against the meridian course and following the course of the meridian) & Won-Bang(by twisting and rotating the needle) acupuncture method at Liver Seunggyeok. EXP-2 group was liver injury-induced and carried out invasive laser acupuncture at Liver Seunggyeok. EXP-3 group was liver injury-induced and carried out laser skin irradiation at Liver Seunggyeok. Result: In the change of body weight(in 1 week), EXP-1, EXP-2 and EXP-3 groups were significantly increased as compared with control group. In the change AST & ALT, EXP-1 and EXP-2 groups were significantly decreased as compared with control group. In the change of SOD, EXP-1, EXP-2 and EXP-3 groups were significantly increased as compared with control group. In the change of WBC, EXP-2 group was significantly increased as compared with control group. Conclusion: Manual acupuncture, invasive laser acupuncture and laser skin irradiation at Liver Seunggyeok had hepatotherapeutic effect on the treatment of hepatocytotoxity. Invasive laser acupuncture was as effective as manual acupuncture on the treatment of hepatocytotocity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제37권3호
• /
• pp.172-182
• /
• 2020

Objectives : In this study, we conducted a focus group interview among expatriates living in Korea, to investigate their experiences and perceptions of acupuncture and Korean Medicine in order to improve the usage of Korean Medicine in the medical tourism market. Methods : The inclusion criteria for the focus group interview was: (1) participants between the age of 20 to 75 years old; (2) those who had lived in Korea for more than 90 days, and (3) those who were able to express their thoughts freely in English. The participants were informed that the interviews will be recorded and transcribed. We ended recruitment once saturation of materials was met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed after each interview. Results : The interviews were held between June to December 2016. Twenty-four participants were recruited but four dropped out and a total of twenty participants successfully finished the interviews. Six focus group interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed that Korean Medicine was relatively less known compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Participants automatically associated acupuncture with the management of pain or stress and replied that these were the areas that they thought acupuncture would be most effective. Positive experiences with acupuncture and with the acupuncture practitioners were factors that promoted the use of acupuncture whereas lack of awareness, accessibility and accreditation were factors that hindered its use. Other factors that hindered the use of acupuncture was needle phobia and the perception that acupuncture lacks scientific evidence. Conclusions : Awareness on Korean Medicine and acupuncture is low. Participants lack awareness on what diseases acupuncture can treat, the scientific evidence behind the mechanism of action, and the rigorous education system that Korean Medicine doctors must go through to get their license. Rigorous marketing should be encouraged, which includes greater exposure in the media, more honest reviews from patients, and promotion of the scientific evidence base.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제30권4호
• /
• pp.264-271
• /
• 2013

Objectives : To observe the changes in the expression of neurotransmitters NO and enzymes that create NO, such as nNOS, iNOS and eNOS, upon the needle insertion on river point, one of the five transport points of three yang meridians on the forefoot. Methods : Based on rats, needle was inserted on both sides of LI5, SI5 and TE6, which are river points of three yang meridians on the forefoot, and were retained for five minutes. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture and tissues from each point around meridian vessels were extracted to be examined on the changes of the expression of NO, as well as of nNOS, iNOS and eNOS. Results : In terms of the effect on NO creation in tissues, none of the experimental groups showed any significant change compared to the Normal group. In terms of the effect on expression of nNOS within tissues, LI5 and SI5 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In iNOS within tissues, LI5 and SI5 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In eNOS within tissues, SI5 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. Conclusions : The effect on the function of NO, nNOS, iNOS and eNOS of needle insertion on the river points of three yang meridians on the forefoot could be observed, and based on this study, it is considered that the effect of needle stimulation on the changes of nervous system could be found out through additional research.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.97-103
• /
• 2013

Objectives : To observe the changes in the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO by the needle insertion on river points, one of the five transport points of three yang meridians of the foot. Methods : Based on rats, needle was inserted on both left and right sides of ST41, BL60 and GB38 and retained for five minutes. After the retention, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture and tissues from each point around meridian vessels were extracted to observe the changes in the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO. Results : In terms of the effect on expression of nNOS within tissues, ST41 showed significant decrease based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In terms of the effect on expression of iNOS within tissues, none of the experimental groups showed any significant change compared to the Normal group. Regarding expression of eNOS within tissues, GB38 showed significant increase based on the results of immunohistochemistry. In terms of the effect on NO creation in tissues, none of the experimental groups showed any significant change compared to the Normal group. Conclusions : The effect of needle insertion on the river points of three yang meridians of the foot on the function of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and NO could be observed, and based on this study, it is considered that the effect of needle stimulation on the changes of nervous system could be found out through additional research.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제28권2호
• /
• pp.133-141
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Although the thermo-sensitivity test in Well points in 12 Meridians(井穴知熱感度測定法) has been used for several decades, it is still performed by a manual way, and lack in objectivity consequently. To make it more objective, accurate and convenient test, we have developed a novel system to test thermo-sensitivity in Well points. Methods : To enhance the blindness of the test, we made a shielded system which give heat to some fingers of subjects in random way. To perform the test in quantitative manner, we developed a fully automated, computer-controlled system composed of heating bulbs and response button array. Results : The developed system showed linearity in heating the finger phantom. It also gave acceptable but interesting features in pilot tests with several young adult subjects. Conclusions : By the developed system, we could improve objectivity and convenience of the thermo-sensitivity test in Well points.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• 제23권1호
• /
• pp.45-51
• /
• 2011

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of needle electrode stimulation at various frequencies on change in wound healing in excision wound rats Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley adult male rats were assigned to one of four groups: control (n=6), acupuncture group (n=6), low rate (2 Hz) percutaneous electrical stimulation group, high rate (100 Hz) percutaneous electrical stimulation group (n=6). We analyzed morphological effects by measuring the area of the excision wound, the contraction rate, and chromatic red. A digital camera and an image analysis program were used to measure and analyze the wound area,which was also used for the contraction rate. Chromatic red was obtained by calculating red, green, and blue (RGB) values of the wound area. Results: The electro acupuncture stimulation groupsshowed significant healing effects compared to the control and acupuncture groups. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that various frequencies of percutaneous electrical stimulation have a therapeutic effect on wound healing.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제29권1호
• /
• pp.83-92
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this research was to develop the magnetic acupuncture system which used solenoid coil for magnetizing acupuncture needle. The system could generate the meridian electric potential (MEP) similar to the potential by manual acupuncture. Thus, we tried to confirm the therapeutic effect that is caused by the MEP generation. Methods : To confirm the MEP, we stimulated the magnetic acupuncture with at 2Hz, $92.7{\pm}2mT$, PEMFs (Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Fields) at ST37 and measured the evoked potential between ST36 and ST41. Also, we conducted a fatigue recovery test using isokinetic exercise in order to identify the therapeutic effect on musculoskeletal disorders. We chose LR9 as a stimulation point. To observe the state of fatigue, we measured the EMG and analyzed median frequency and peak torque for 20minutes. Results : We observed that MEP which incurred from magnetic acupuncture was higher than he reported MEP induced by manual acupuncture. Moreover, its modes were divided into two types by the direction of magnetic flux. When generating magnetic flux in the direction of acupoint, the positive peak voltage of the MEP was generated. In contrast, negative peak voltage of the MEP was generated whenever meganetic flux generated in the outward direction. As a result of fatigue recovery, the median frequency (MF) of the magnetic acupuncture group were recovered faster than that of the non-stimulation group. However, the peak torques of both groups were not restored until after 20 minutes. Conclusions : We confirmed that the magnetic acupuncture system can lead to the MEP similar to manual acupuncture. Moreover, the MEP had a therapeutic effect on the musculoskeletal disorders.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.88-96
• /
• 2013

Objectives : In the acupuncture treatment of Korean Medicine, the Tonifying or Purging depending on how many times the needle is rotated has been used widely. However, there is little evidence about the optimal number of rotation. This study, therefore, was aimed to investigate the optimal number of rotation. Methods : Heart rate variation was measured before and after exercise in 20 healthy adults. Acupuncture was performed at PC6 immediately after exercise according to the protocol of each group without remaining. Pre-exercise and post-exercise measurements were compared and the rotation number that produced statistically significant difference was investigated. Results : Significant differences were found in the heart rate variation and R-R interval Average, between non-rotation group (control) and both of 15 times rotation group of tonifying and 6 times rotation group of purging. Conclusions : Significantly effective number of rotation in the effect of PC6 on the HR and RRAv was 15 times in the tonifying and 6 in the purging respectively.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
• /
• 제23권1호
• /
• pp.182-198
• /
• 2010

Background : The varieties of manifestations referred to oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases has been long complicated physicians in the efficient diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Acupuncture has been widely used in Korea throughout the history and provides an efficient method in the treatment of them Objectives : Establish a distinctive and efficient acupuncture method for the treatment of oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases based in literature research Method : We reviewed four Korean medical literature, "Guide to Swollen Sore Treatment", "Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine", "Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion", and "Essential Rhymes on Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Master Sa-am", and analyzed the therapeutic characteristics in the treatment of oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases Result : 1. According to "Guide to Swollen Sore Treatment", we could noted frequent application of blood letting methods in the affected area, then rinse ones mouth with salty water and further application of taro plaster. Also found acupuncture methods utilizing heated mole cricket or silkworm in the sublingual region. Regarding herbal method, Realgar was rubbed in the affected area. Mainly used acupuncture points in the treatment of oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases were GV20, GB20, LU5, and auricular anterior hairline 2. In "Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine", blood letting method in the sublingual region and burning needle searing method were the most frequently applied in the treatment of oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases. Moxibustion was also applied in the treatment of labial and dental diseases. Particularly, said to apply 3 moxa cones in ear zones of both sides, when no medicine is effective. This demonstrates how emphasized the importance of moxibustion in this kind of disease. Mainly used acupuncture points were GV16, CV24, LI4, EX-HN12, and EX-HN13 3. In "Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion", no other methods beside wrist. Superstitious methods like applying moxibustion on the tooth picture drawn on the roofing tile need further confirmation. Mainly used acupuncture points were LI4, ST36, and HT7. 4. "Essential Rhymes on Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Master Sa-am", identified the cause of diseases according to visceral pattern identification. Stomach and Spleen in charge of vocal, lingual, and labial disease, Kidney for dental disease, and further scrutinizing identification according to Liver, Heart, Stomach, Lung, and Kidney manifestations. Used supplementation and draining needling methods of self meridians and other correlating meridians. Conclusions : After previous study on stroke and eye diseases, we could also find various efficient methods according to oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases, through literature research of korean medical classics. This study will concurrently result in establishing distinctive therapeutic method characteristic of Korea.