• 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.

• CELLMED
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.6.1-6.5
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• 2022

Objectives: Sciatica is a musculoskeletal pain sensed in the leg along with the distribution of the sciatic nerve, which is sometimes accompanied by low back pain and is most commonly caused by a disc herniation. In the Unani system of Medicine, Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica) is defined as the pain which starts from the hip joint and descends towards the foot. It is a type of Waja-ul-Mafasil which is developed due to the accumulation of Khilt-e-Dam or Khilt-e-Balgham ghaleez in the hip joint. The conventional system of Medicine offers several medications and surgeries to manage sciatica with limited clinical evidence of effectiveness. These cases aim to provide insight into the effects of Fasd (Venesection) in Irq-un-Nasa. Case Presentation: Fasd was performed in the saphena minor vein of two clinically diagnosed patients with sciatica after the initial assessment. Two sittings of Fasd, once a week in each patient, were performed, followed by telephonic assessments for two months. The intensity of sciatic pain reduced with subsequent sittings of Fasd, and there was no recurrence of any symptoms and signs again during complete follow-up. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present case report, it appears that such cases of Irq-un-Nasa can be managed with Fasd, and the quality of life of such patients can also be improved.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.210-213
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• 1998

Background: Epidural steroid therapy has been well-established for the treatment of sciatica and low back pain. Disappointing results following surgical decompression or discectomy have led to wide trials of corticosteroids injected either systemically or into the intraspinally. Although epidural steroid is known to be very effective in the treatment of the patients with low back pain, few data showed the therapeutic duration of epidural steroid. Methods: We studied 120 patients who were treated with epidural steroid for the treatment of low back pain or sciatica or both. We retrospectively analysed the duration of analgesia, number of injections per each session, and complications. Results: The duration of analgesia ranged from 17 days to 300 days, and the mean duration was $73.7{\pm}70.5$ (SD) days. The mean number of injections per each session was $1.8{\pm}1.3$ (range: 1 to 12). There were no significant complications with epidural steroid injections. Conclusions: One to three epidural steroid injections at one week interval leads more than two months of pain relief without significant complications.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.37-46
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• 2006

Objective : This study was designed to find out the effect of scolopendrid aquacupuncture on low back pain with or without sciatica showing high intensity zone of magnetic resonance imaging. Methods : The 30 patients who had a diagnosis of high intensity zone by lumbar-MRI and admitted to Gwangju oriental medical hospital in wonkwang university from January 2005 to August 2004 were observed. The symptom of inpatients is low back pain with or without sciatica. We treated 30 patients by scolopendrid aquacupuncture besides the general conservative treatment of oriental medicine. Results and Conclusion : The scolopendrid aquacupuncture treatment led to improvement in the pain and symptom of disability as determined by all efficacy measures. After scolopendrid aquacupuncture treatment, there was improvement in VAS, ROM and SLRT. This results suggest that scolopendrid aquacupuncture is good method for treatment of low back pain with or without sciatica showing high intensity zone of magnetic resonance imaging.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.174-180
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• 1989

An intra-articular lumbar facet joint block with a local anesthetic and asteroid is a reliable method of diagnosis and therapy for low back pain and/or sciatica caused by lumbar facet arthropathy under fluoroscopy. We injected 40 mg of methylperdnisolone acetate and 1 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine into each lumbar facet joint to 14 patients. The results are as follows: 1) Excellent pain relief in 2 patients (14.29%) 2) Good pain relief in 6 patients (42.85%) 3) Fair pain relief in 4 patients (28.57%) 4) Non effective pain relief in 2 patients (14.29%).

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.139-146
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to examine the effects of direct moxibustion on the Low back pain and Lowerlimb radiating pain. Methods : The patients were hospitalized in Daejeon Univ. Oriental Hospital and treated with acupuncture treatment, physical treatment and direct moxibustion. After treatments, we measured the Results & Conclusions : VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and PRS(Pain Rating Scale). VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and PRS(Pain Rating Scale) scores were improved in 3 cases of Low back pain and Lowerlimb radiating pain treated with direct moxibustion. So it is suggested that direct moxibution have the possibility to treat on sciatica.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.123-128
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment for the patients with low back pain and sciatica. Methods : 60 patients were divided into two, Group A of 30 persons and Group B of 30 persons. Only Group A was treated with Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment, Group B was treated with just Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment. Results : In VAS, Group A is $6.57{\pm}1.91$ and Group B is $5.20{\pm}2.22(P=0.013)$. In Improvement index, Group A is $0.2295{\pm}0.1036$ and Group B is $0.1545{\pm}0.0895\;(P=0.004)$. Conclusions : We knew that Dong-Qi acupuncture treatment is more effective.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.420-425
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• 2000

Epidural steroid injection(ESI) has been a commonly applied conservative therapy for the management of chronic low back pain and sciatica. However, there are many reports concerning various local, systemic and neurological complications related to ESI. We report two cases with fatal complications after ESI for low back pain and sciatica. In both patients, ventriculitis and meningitis were causative factors to be fatal. Aseptic procedures and careful post-procedure assessment are essential to avoid serious complications following ESI.

• 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.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this report is to use more Shin Jong Gyuk of Ohaeng Acupuncture acupunture treatment clinically by comparing the Improvement of Back pain and Sciatica between Common Acupuncture treatment Group and Common Acupuncture with Shin Jong Gyuk of Ohaeng Acupuncture treatment Group. Methods : This study was carried out on 40 patients with Back pain and Sciatica who were hospitalized in Dongshin Univ. Oriental Hospital from 1st, April, 2001 to Tenth, November, 2001. Group A of 20 patients were taken both common acupunture treatment and Shin Jong Gyuk of Ohaeng Acupuncture treatment. And Group B of 20 patients were only taken common acupunture treatment. And after 10 days of admission, we checked and compared VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and improvement index out of these two groups. SPSS(Statistical Program for Sdcial Science) for Window was used for a statistical analysis and the independent T-test was performed to gauge the improvement of VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and improvement index out of these two groups, in which case, value of P below 0.05 is considered as useful. Results : The result of the VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and improvement index of comparision analysis between two groups after 10 days, shows that the improvement of Back pain and Sciatica in Common Acupuncture treatment with Shin Tong Gyuk of Ohaeng Acupuncture treatment Group is more effective than that in Common Acupuncture treatment Group. (independent T-test improvement index P=0.21, VAS P=0.00)