• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2022

Background: Coccygodynia is one of the chronic, refractory painful musculoskeletal disorders. Interventional procedures are applied to patients unresponsive to initial treatment in coccygodynia. This study aims to compare the treatment outcomes of ganglion impar block (GIB) and caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) in patients with chronic coccygodynia. Methods: This study was a prospective randomized comparison study conducted between June 2019 and January 2021. Patients diagnosed with chronic coccygodynia were randomly divided into two groups: the GIB group and the CESI group. The severity of pain, presence of neuropathic pain, and quality of life were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale, Leeds Assessment of the Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Scale, and Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), respectively. Results: A total of 34 patients in each group were included in the final analyses. While there was a significant decrease in pain intensity in both groups in the 3-month follow-up, this decrease was more significant in the GIB group at the 3rd week. There was a significant improvement in the SF-12 physical score and the number of patients with neuropathic pain in both groups in the 3rd week, but this improvement was not observed in the 3rd month. Conclusions: Although GIB may provide more pain relief in short term, both GIB and CESI are useful treatment methods in coccygodynia unresponsive to more conservative treatments.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2011

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a regional musculoskeletal pain disorder that is caused by myofascial trigger points. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MPS among chronic back pain patients, as well as to identify risk factors and the outcome of this disorder. Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving 126 patients who attended the Pain Management Unit for chronic back pain between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2009. Data examined included demographic features of patients, duration of back pain, muscle(s) involved, primary diagnosis, treatment modality and response to treatment. Results: The prevalence of MPS among chronic back pain patients was 63.5% (n = 80). Secondary MPS was more common than primary MPS, making up 81.3% of the total MPS. There was an association between female gender and risk of developing MPS ($x^2$ = 5.38, P = 0.02, O.R. = 2.4). Occupation, body mass index and duration of back pain were not significantly associated with MPS occurrence. Repeated measures analysis showed significant changes (P < 0.001) in Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and Modified Oswestry Disability Score (MODS) with standard management during three consecutive visits at six-month intervals. Conclusions: MPS prevalence among chronic back pain patients was significantly high, with female gender being a significant risk factor. With proper diagnosis and expert management, MPS has a favourable outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.344-355
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• 2023

Chronic lower back pain is a leading cause of disability in musculoskeletal system. Degenerative disc disease is one of the main contributing factor of chronic back pain in the aging population in the world. It is postulated that sinuvertebral nerve and basivertebral nerve main mediator of the nociceptive response in degenerative disc disease as a result of neurotization of sinuvertebral and basivertebral nerve. A review in literature is done on the pathoanatomy, pathophysiology and pain generation pathway in degenerative disc disease and chronic back pain and management strategy is discussed in this review to aid understanding of sinuvertebral and basivertebral neuropathy treatment strategies.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.468-474
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• 2022

Background: The new type of corona virus has a wide range of symptoms. Some people who have COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as post-COVID conditions. The authors aimed to investigate prolonged musculoskeletal pain as a symptom of the post-COVID-19 condition. Methods: This is a descriptive study on the patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in a university hospital, between March 2020 and March 2021. Patient records and an extensive questionnaire were used to obtain relevant demographic and clinical characteristics, including hospitalization history, comorbidities, smoking history, duration of the pain, the area of pain, and the presence of accompanying neuropathic symptoms. Results: Of the diagnosed patients, 501 agreed to participate in the study. Among the participants, 318 had musculoskeletal pain during COVID-19 infection, and 69 of them reported prolonged pain symptoms as part of their a post-COVID condition which could not be attributed to any other cause. The mean duration of pain was 4.38 ± 1.73 months, and the mean pain level was 7.2 ± 4.3. Neuropathic pain symptoms such as burning sensation (n = 16, 23.2%), numbness (n = 15, 21.7%), tingling (n = 10, 14.5%), stinging (n = 4, 5.8%), freezing (n = 1, 1.4%) were accompanied in patients with prolonged musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions: Patients with COVID-19 may develop prolonged musculoskeletal pain. In some patients, neuropathic pain accompanies it. Awareness of prolonged post-COVID-19 pain is crucial for its early detection and management.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.203-217
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the high-level evidence of the effects of manual therapy on musculoskeletal diseases. Methods: Domestic databases were searched for studies that conducted clinical trials associated with manual therapy on chronic musculoskeletal diseases. A total of 591 studies published between 2005 and 2018 were identified, with 18 studies satisfying the inclusion data. The studies were classified according to patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO). The search outcomes were items associated with pain and physical function. The 18 studies included in the study were evaluated by using the R meta-analysis (version 4.0). The quality of 18 randomized control trials was evaluated by using the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB). The effect sizes were computed as the corrected standardized mean difference (SMD). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were also used. Egger's regression test was carried out in order to analyze the publication bias. Cumulative meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted in order to analyze the data error. Results: The following factors showed the large effect size of manual therapy on chronic musculoskeletal diseases: pain (Hedges's g = 2.66; 95% CI = 1.47 ~ 3.85), and physical function (Hedges's g = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.22 ~ 3.08). The subgroup analysis only showed a statistical difference in the type of manual therapy (pain) and outcome (physical function). No statistically significant difference was found in the meta-regression analysis. Publication bias was found in the data, but the results of the trim-and-fill method showed that such bias did not largely affect the obtained data. Furthermore, there were no data errors in the cumulative meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of manual therapy on chronic musculoskeletal diseases in pain and physical function. Subgroup analysis suggests that only the type of manual therapy for pain and the type of outcome for physical function differed in effect size.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.171-183
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• 2010

Objectives : The biomechanical relationship of leg length discrepancy(LLD), Lumbar lordosis, pelvic variance and degenerative scoliosis is one of the most important parameters when treat musculoskeletal disorders, however the reports are still controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the relationships between the parameters and bothersomeness in subject with chronic ow back pain. Methods : Sixty female and eight male adults with non specific low back pain over 3 months were recruited. LLD was measured by tape measure method. Lumbar lordosis, lumbosacral angle and related pelvic parameters were measured using simple radiologic films of lumbosacral view. Results : Lumbar lordosis was significantly correlated to the lumbosacral angle, pelvic incidence and difference of the both iliac widths. Pelvic incidence had significant correlation with difference of the both iliac widths. And difference of both iliac widths was related with LLD by radiologic film. There was also significant correlation between the LLD by radiologic film and tape measurement. Visual analogue scale(chronic low back pain) of normal lordosis group was greater than hyperlordosis group. Conclusions : There were close biomechanical relationships between lumbar, pelvis, and lower extremity. But in order to determine the effect of structure on the chronic low back pain, global balance of musculoskeletal structure seems to be worth further researching.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.35-46
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• 2008

Objectives : Chronic pain affects and is affected by physical and psychosocial factors. It also has a complicated and indefinite mechanism. This research is for clarifying relations with chronic pain, stress, and autonomic nerve system by comparing HRV and Stress Reaction Index(SRI) of chronic pain patients with those of acute pain patients. Methods : The subjects were 32 patients who visited Kangnam Kyunghee Hospital for nuchal pain or low back pain treatment from March 2008 to September 2008. Among them, 16 patients who suffered over 6 months are classified chronic pain group and 16 patients who suffered under 6 months as acute pain group. All subjects had their HRV(SA-2000E: Medicore Co..Ltd. Korea) and SRI measured at first visit. We studied the difference of HRV between two groups.(Statistics by Student t-test, p<0.05) Results : R-MSSD, TP, VLF, LF, HF and LF/HF ratio of the chronic pain group were significantly lower than those of the acute pain group. Compared with those of the acute pain group, total SRI of the chronic pain group were low but it's not significant except frustration. Conclusion : The results of HRV of the chronic pain group patients show that chronic pain is related to psychosocial factor and autonomic disturbance.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.68-71
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• 2012

Acute injuries to skeletal muscles can lead to significant pain and disability. Muscle pain results in muscle weakness and range of motion (ROM) decreases. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) promote tissue repair, healing rates and reduce musculoskeletal pain. The results of many previous studies suggest that PEMF can contribute to chronic pain reduction, particularly in musculoskeletal injurys. However, we do not have enough information of its effects compared to a placebo. The principal objective of this study was to investigate differences in acute pain induced by the direct destruction of muscle tissue (extensor digitorum) with varying times of the application of PEMF, measured through the expression of c-fos on the spinal cord. Significant reduction of pain was found in groups exposed to PEMF and the group exposed to PEMF immediately after muscle injury showed the most significant differences. In conclusion, PEMF may be a useful strategy in reducing acute pain in muscle injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.114-117
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• 2001

A significant injury of ligament or tendon that might result in hypermobility and/or instability has been termed connective tissue insufficiency (CTI). Load bearing on CTI can sometimes create a malfunction of the mechanoreceptor and this in turn can aggravate the problem thus creating a chronic condition. Prolotherapy means the injection of growth factors or growth factor stimulators into the fibroosseous junction of the disabled ligament, tendon or cartilages in order to strengthen and promote proliferation of the injured Connective tissue. In the case of frequent recurrence or unresponsiveness to conservative treatment including nerve blocks in the chronic musculoskeletal disorder. We obtained good results after the prolotherapy treatment. This study will report on 5 cases of prolotherapy treatment.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.5
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• pp.15-31
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to generalize the conception of chronic pelvic pain(CPP)through the literature of oriental medicine and occidental medicine. The results are obtained as follows. First, chronic pelvic pain(pain of more than 6 months duration) may include pain of gynecologic, gastroenterologic, urologic, neurologic, and musculoskeletal origin. In this study, the etiology of chronic pelvic pain may remain obscure and the relationship between certain types of pathology, such as endometriosis or adhesions, and the pain response may be inconsistent and often inexplicable. Second, the causes of CPP through the literature of oriental medicine were reviewed as pains due to a wind-pathogen, a cold, disorder of Qi, disorder of blood stasis, a improper diet, disorder of fluid, and deficiency type etc... And the charateristic pains were concerned with a aching pain, a heavy pain, a distending pain. a pain due to mass in the abdoman, a pain likes pulling etc... The degree and classification of charateristic pains in current of time were dependent on subjective factors. Third. in oriental medicine, it wasn't to be suggested concretely recognition of etiological factor in pain. But they recognised that facters were influenced by pain. For example, diretic peripheral demages were concerned with a blood stasis, a phlegm, a damp phlegm, heart, and the pains that were occurrenced by sevn emotions were concerned with a stagnancy of Qi or a stagnancy of liver-Qi.