• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.136-140
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• 2016

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the common musculoskeletal conditions of the shoulder which may develop sensory-motor and autonomic dysfunctions at the various level of the neuromuscular system. The pain and dysfunction caused by MPS were primarily treated with physical therapy and pharmacological agents in order to achieve painfree movements. However, in recent years intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) with conventional electrode placement was used by researchers to maximise therapeutic values. But, in this study an inverse electrode placement was used to deliver electrical impulses intramuscularly to achieve neuro-modulation at the various level of the nervous system. Nine patients with MPS were treated with intramuscular electrode stimulation using inversely placed electrodes for a period of three weeks. All nine subjects recovered from their shoulder pain and disability within the few weeks of intervention. So, this inverse electrode placement may be more appropriate for chronic pain management.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2024

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal condition that significantly affects the quality of life of millions of individuals worldwide. In recent years, cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) has become a viable treatment option for knee OA. This review thoroughly evaluated the existing literature on CRFA therapy for knee OA. It delved into the mechanisms behind CRFA, evaluated its clinical efficacy, and investigated potential avenues for future research and application. The insights gained from this review are crucial for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, offering an updated perspective on CRFA's role as a viable therapeutic option for knee OA.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.50-59
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• 2008

Taping techniques have been usually used by physical therapists long time ago, which have been considered a useful adjunct to treatment programs for a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Also, taping techniques may be employed as effective prophylactic methods in clinical setting because of ease application and cost effectiveness. The aims of this study were to describe background information for the management of some chronic low back pain patients with/without leg pain that don't respond to conservative treatment, to demonstrate McConnell taping as successful therapeutic strategies for treating these patients, and to provide detailed application methods of McConnell taping in order that physical therapists can readily use the taping in clinical setting. This study emphasized to illustrate biomechanical benefits of McConnell taping in controlling undesirable muscle activation by decreasing mechanical loads on specific muscles. McConnell taping may be helpful for the inhibition of overactive synergist or antagonists, the facilitation of inactive synergists, the promotion of proprioception, the optimization of joint alignment, pain reduction, and unloading of irritable neural tissue. This study provides taping examples of low back pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lower extremity symptoms associated with these conditions, and discusses the possible mechanisms for their successful application.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2023

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that encompass symptoms caused by abnormalities of the craniofacial structures of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles involved in the masticatory system, and other related tissues or structures. Although TMDs can occur at any age, research on the prevalence, epidemiology, and treatment strategies of TMDs has been conducted in all age groups, but primarily in adults. Unlike adults, children and adolescents are in a period of cognitive and physical development. Because of this growth potential, children respond better to TMD treatment than adults do. However, clinicians must remember that chronic pain and growth abnormalities can occur if the patient's symptoms and signs are not accurately diagnosed and treated. This article reviews the growth and development of the craniofacial region, including the TMJ, and discusses considerations when diagnosing and treating TMDs in children and adolescents.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.957-963
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• 2015

Objective To compare the pain-reducing effect of forest bathing alone versus forest bathing in combination with stretching and strengthening exercises in patients with chronic posterior neck pain. Methods Sixty-four subjects with posterior neck pain that had lasted more than 3 months were enrolled. They were randomly divided into a forest bathing alone (FBA) group and a forest bathing with exercise (FBE) group; each group included 32 subjects. All subjects from both groups walked every morning in the forest for about 2 hours for 5 days. In the afternoon, the FBE group did a stretching and strengthening exercise for about 4 hours; the FBA group had free time in the woods. Visual analog scale (VAS) on one day, VAS over the previous week, neck disability index (NDI), EuroQol 5D-3L VAS (EQ VAS) and index (EQ index), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), the number of trigger points in the posterior neck region (TRPs), and the range of motion of the cervical spine were evaluated on the first and last day of the program and compared between the two groups. Results The number of TRPs were significantly reduced in the FBE group compared with the FBA group (p=0.013). However, the other scales showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion When patients with chronic posterior neck pain underwent a short-term forest bathing (less than 7 days) program, FBE was more effective in the reduction of the number of TRPs than FBA. However, all other pain measurement scales we evaluated showed no statistically significant difference between the two protocols.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2003

Results : 1. The most important concept of IMS is chronic pain illness that may develop into hypersensitivity of the nerves, i.e., neuropathy. 2. Muscle shortening may be triggered by stress, including emotional, physical, external, and internal factors. 3. Muscle shortening increases mechanical tension on the muscles as well as inducing abrasion of the tissues by stretching ligament, tendon, cartilage, bone, and etc. 4. Pain from neuropathy is normally manifested on musculoskeletal system and spasm or shortening play as the central axis of this pain. 5. Neuropathy often appears at the nerve root level and the most important decisive factor of radiculopathy is muscle shortening. 6. Spondylosis is the most common cause of radiculopathy. 7. The most significant treatment principle of IMS is to relieve muscle shortening and remove stimulating determinant from the vertebrae. 8. Dry needling is quite effective for treating various pain caused by muscle shortening.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2008

Prolotherapy can be defined as the injection of growth factors or growth factor production stimulants to grow normal cells or tissue. Even though it has been a controversal procedure for decades, it is currently gaining in popularity among many physicians. The term prolotherapy was coined by Hacket in the 1950s to imply proliferation of normal tissue at ligamentous and tendinous entheses. The procedure has been described by other terms, such as sclerotherapy, regenerative injection therapy, and stimulated ligament repair. Incomplete healing from sprains or strains is common and can lead to chronic pain, joint instability and laxity, and is a risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis. Prolotherapy is commonly used for these musculoskeletal conditions which are refractory to usual care therapies. The proliferant solution and technique varies according to physicial training and preferance. Commonly reported proliferants include 10% to 25% dextrose, P2G and sodium morrhuate. High resolution ultrasound imaging of musculoskeletal tissue is increasing in popularity because of patient tolerability, low cost, ability to visualize tissue in real time motion and superior resolution of highly organized tissue such as a tendon. This procedure can be introduced by ultrasound imaging and tissue growth and repair after this procedure in a tendon or a ligament can be documented with ultrasound.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.101-120
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• 2000

This paper offers an approach to physical therapy and rehabilitation procedure for the temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Forms of physical therapy are used in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions that include TMD joint disorders. However, there still remains a void in the study as to the various rehabilitative protocols used on those patients with TMD. Recent evidence in clinical trials show that physical therapy is helpful for patients with TMD. Exercise programs designed to improve physical fitness had beneficial effects on TMD pain and dysfunction. This study establishes treatment procedures of physical therapy and provides a method of evaluation for patients with TMD disorders.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.55-65
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this review is to analyze results of case studies and controlled studies about Carthmi-Flos pharmacopuncture. Based on the review, authors desire to suggest the study model including precise information and evident the effect of Carthmi-Flos pharmacopuncture objectively in treating clinical disorders. Methods We search 44 studies about Carthmi-Flos pharmacopuncture from 6 Korean web databases, using words 'Carthmi-Flos pharmacopuncture' in Korean alphabet. This study had been conducted throughout 1 month (July, 2017). We selected case studies and controlled trials in investigated 44 thesis, excluding experimental research and thesis not using the Carthmi-Flos pharmacopuncture for major treatment. Results We analyze 13 case reports and 7 controlled trials. As a result, Carthmi-Flos Pharmacopuncture was used mostly in musculoskeletal, neurological diseases. But this can be applied to internal diseases. Disorders reported effectively were carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative knee joint arthritis, posterior neck pain, low back pain, radial nerve palsy, shoulder pain, lumbar compression fracture, alopecia areata, chronic daily headache, duverney fracture, oligomenorrhea, cervical disc herniation, rheumatoid arthritis and cervical headache. Conclusions As we analyzed, Carthmi-Flos pharmacopuncture is specifically effective in musculoskeletal and neurologic diseases. But there are various problems in study design. To design accurately, the study design should include much more specific information. And the result can be more precise by excluding other methods.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 2013

Objectives The aim of this clinical study was to find out the changes of self-reported pain intensity before and after balneothrapy in participants with low back pain. Methods In this study 20 participants with low back pain went through 5 weeks of balneothrapy course, once in a week. Each week visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain threshold were measured before and after balneothrapy, which consisted of 30 minutes of high pressure underwater shower ($32{\sim}36^{\circ}C$) and another 30 minutes of whole body bathing ($32{\sim}40^{\circ}C$). Results 1. The average of VAS significantly decreased from $64.00{\pm}16.35$ to $34.00{\pm}15.69$ after 5 weeks of balneothreapy (p<0.001). 2. The average of pain threshold significantly increased from $8.31{\pm}2.52$ lbf to $9.53{\pm}3.11$ lbf after 5 weeks of balneothreapy (p<0.05). Conclusions The results showed that 5 weeks of balneotherapy had significant effect on alleviating pain in low back pain participants, which means balneothreapy may be used as a complementary treatment on musculoskeletal diseases and other chronic diseases. Further studies are anticipated in the future to find out other various effects of balneothrapy.