• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.119-122
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• 2006

Upper thoracic back pain can be musculoskeletal in origin or it could be visceral referred pain, which may be indicative of a serious medical condition. We experienced a case of a 55-years-old female patient who complained of upper thoracic back pain for 1 month, which started 10 days after a traffic accident. She described the pain as being a dull, constant nagging sensation with an intensity of 4/10 on the visual analogue scale. Her pain did not subside after trigger point injection of the rhomboid and trapezius muscles. She reported intermittent palpitation, which indicated that the cardiovascular or pulmonary systems were involved. She was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism by the imaging studies. Refractory upper thoracic back pain should be investigated to rule out this treatable, but potentially fatal condition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.204-209
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• 2006

Objective : The authors retrospectively evaluate the benefits of the various pain procedures for the treatment of low back pain unresponsive to conservative management. Methods : Over a period of 2 years from May 2002 and June 2004, the authors had performed various pain procedures on 106 patients with low back pain. Epidural block, facet joint block, sacroiliac joint block, and myofascial block were included among various pain procedures. The pain improvement, period of analgesic use, and degree of satisfaction were evaluated 1 day, 4 weeks, and 6 months after injections. The outcome of pain procedures was analyzed by using a modified Macnab criteria. Results : Sixty-four patients had a single procedure with no combination and 42 patients [39.6%] received the combination of the various pain procedure. Regardless of the single or combination cases of procedure, combination of appropriate spinal level on each procedure was conducted in 104 [98.1%]. Mean follow up period was 12.2 months. Eighty-two patients [77.4%] experienced significant pain relief and overall analgesic medication was reduced in 91 patients [85.8%] at 6 months after procedure. Unfavorable results were demonstrated in 10 patients. Permanent procedural complications did not occur. Conclusion : The various pain procedures are the possible therapeutic option for low back pain unresponsive to conservative management including medication or physical therapy.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2000

Purpose : Posterior Neck Pain and Back Pain are common diseases in human daily life. For reducting symptom and treatment of these diseases, many methods have been used and studied until now. The mechanisms of Ceragem Master Heat Bed(R)(Ceragem Co. Seoul, Korea) are infrared-heat therapy from natural nephrite and pressure therapy by up-down movement of natural nephrite ball. Through this study, authors would evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Ceragem Master Heat Bed(CMHB) on relieving posterior neck pain and back pain. Materials and methods : From 12-01-2000 to 01-13-2001, posterior neck pain and back pain patients were selected for experiment group(23patients) and control group(14patients). In both group, Visual Analog Scale(VAS) of pre-treatment stage is above 5 points. Experiment group were cared with acupuncture therapy, buhang therapy and CMHB. Control group were managed with only acupuncture therapy and buhang therapy. They were treated more than three times at least. At pre-treatment and post-treatment stage, we measured VAS for individual patients, and then compared effect of treatment in experiment group and in control group. Statistical analysis was preformed using SAS program. Results : In this study, a mean difference of VAS between pre-treatment and post-treatment stage was large in experiment(CMHB) group more than in control group(p〈0.01). Conclusion : Experiment(CMHB) group was more effective pain relief than control group in the treatment of posterior neck pain and back pain. CMHB was available for stimultaneous application of heat therapy and pressure massage together that gave another effects of mental stability and fatigue recovery. As the results of this study, CMHB could be used as a helpful treatment modality for posterior neck pain and back pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2002

Objective : Since ancient times venepuncture has been widely used as a useful treatment for low back pain. This study is made in order to objectively evaluate the therapeutic effect of Weizhong(BL40) on low back pain. Methods : Total 46 cases of low back pain patients were divided into 2 groups; one group took only acupuncture therapy, and the other group took acupuncture and venepuncture therapy together. Each patient's pain was evaluated before the treatment and the 3 or 4 days later after the treatment. Pain rating score(PRS) was used to assess the pain for its intensity, frequency, duration, and aggravating factors. Results : Both acupuncture therapy group and acupuncture & venepuncture group showed good effect on low back pain. Though the latter group showed better pain release effect than the former, there was no statistical significance between pain rating score of two groups. Sciatica group showed no significant difference from non-sciatica group in pain rating score. Palpation on Weizhong(BL40) group showed significant difference only in pain duration from non-palpation group. Exposed vessel around Weizhong(BL40) group showed significant difference in pain rating score from non-exposed vessel group. Conclusion : Weizhong(BL40) venepuncture can be highly recommended as a useful therapy for low back pain patients especially who show exposed vessels on the popliteal area.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2007

Background: Selective transforaminal epidural block (STEB) has showen effectiveness as a diagnostic and therapeutic option for the management of patients with low back pain or sciatica. This study was carried out in order to determine the short-term effects and prognostic factors associated with STEB in patients with low back pain or sciatica. Methods: Ninety-seven patients were selectedfor participation in this study. Their diagnosis were based werewason the clinical symptoms and MRI findings. We performed STEB under fluoroscopic guidance and injected 3 ml of radio opaque dye in order to confirm the technical success of the procedure. We then injected 20 mg of triamcinolone mixed into 3 ml of 0.5% mepivacaine. One month later, we classified the patient outcomes as excellent, good, moderate or poor, according to the degree of reduction in VAS score from baseline. The independent variables assessed included symptom duration, block level, number of blocks, primary diagnosis, prior caudal block, anterior epidural space filling of dye, medication history, demographic data, radiating pain, back surgery and spondylolisthesis. Results: At a mean follow-up period of 1 month after STEB, excellent results were noted in the patients diagnosed with herniated lumbar disc (70%), non-specific spondylosis (54%), spinal stenosis (44%), and failed back syndrome (28%). The patients with epidural adhesion and combined spondylolisthesis were associated with poorer outcomes. Combined caudal block, symptom duration and the extent of epidural spread of the drug were not related to the effectiveness of the treatment. Conclusions: Selective transforaminal epidural block is effective in treating patients with radiculopathy, such as herniated lumbar disc, but it isrelatively ineffective in treating patients with structural deformities, such as failed back syndrome and spondylolisthesis.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Tai Chi exercise on pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain. Method: This study was designed one group pretest-posttest design. Tai Chi exercise was conducted by researcher and carried out for sixty minutes per one time and two times a week for six weeks. The subjects of this study consisted of 23 low back patients. Using the SPSS win 10.0 program was used for data analysis, which included frequency, percentage and paired t-test. Result: Tai Chi exercise decreased pain, improved balance and gait, increased physical function(back muscle strength, leg muscle strength and flexibility). Conclusion: The results suggested Tai Chi exercise can be effective nursing intervention to improve pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.35-38
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• 2021

Bertolotti's syndrome is a congenital abnormality in which the expanded lower lumbar transverse process articulates with the ilium or sacrum. It is an important cause of low back pain in children and adolescents that is frequently misdiagnosed. We describe the case of a 17-year-old girl with low back pain who had a 4-year history of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. She subsequently underwent plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging and was eventually diagnosed with Bertolotti's syndrome. She was managed conservatively with 6 weeks of physical therapy and an exercise program, and her pain subsided. This case demonstrates the importance of considering anatomical and structural variants when evaluating low back pain in adolescents.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a modified abdominal draw-in maneuver on trunk stability and functional capacity as well as pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: The study included 3 patients with chronic low back pain who volunteered to participate. The modified abdominal draw-in maneuver included a posterior pelvic tilt, a traditional abdominal draw-in maneuver, and a vibration sensory feedback device. Voluntary abdominal contraction using the vibration sensory feedback device was performed by the subjects for more than 1 hour per day, 5 times per week, for 6 weeks along with common low back pain treatment. Electromyographic signals in the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and erector spinae (ES) muscles were measured to compare muscle activation. The degree of pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and functional capacity was measured using the Korea Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI). All results were compared to the means before and after intervention. Results: After the intervention, the RA, EO, and IO showed increased muscle activation and the ES showed decreased muscle activation. The visual analogue scale decreased after intervention and the K-ODI decreased after intervention. Conclusion: Modified abdominal draw-in maneuvers in daily life combined with therapeutic exercises may be effective in relieving pain and dysfunctions in chronic low back pain patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.263-269
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects lumbar stabilization exercise with kinesio taping on pain, muscle strength, and oswestry disability index (ODI) in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Two groups pre-post randomized controlled design Methods: Thirty-two subjects were randomly divided in two groups; 1) lumbar stabilization exercise with kinesio taping group (Experimental group, n=16), 2) lumbar stabilization exercise with sham kinesio taping group (Control group, n=16). The intervention was conducted in each group for thirty minutes a day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. Both group did 30 minutes of lumbar stabilization application. Evaluations were performed before the commencement of training and again 4 weeks after training was initiated. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain level of patients with chronic low back pain. Distal muscle test was used to evaluate muscle strength of trunk extension. In addition, ODI was used to evaluate activity daily life of low back pain. Results: After training, the VAS, muscle strength of trunk extension and ODI were significantly more improvement in Experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: We confirmed that the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise with kinesio taping group on pain, muscle strength, and ODI in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the level of pain and depression in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. Method: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. The participants were middle-aged women who visited two back pain clinics in Wonju from October, 2006 through February, 2007. A total of 195 low back pain patients agreed to participate in this study, and data from 177 were analyzed. Data was collected using a questionnaire which included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Center Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale(CES-D), and general characteristics. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients were utilized in the analysis. Results: The mean score for chronic low back pain as measured by the VAS was 4.99 (SD 2.41). The average score for depression as measured by the CES-D was 22.00 (SD 10.18). There was a significant relationship between the level of pain and depression (r=.372, p<.001). Conclusion: Nurses need to take into consideration depression of middle-age women with chronic low back pain for assessment and intervention. In the future, developing a strategy for integrating intervention of pain-control and depression will be needed in nursing care for middle-aged women with chronic low back pain.