• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.382-388
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• 2023

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is crucial for stabilizing the ulnar side of the wrist but can be partially torn due to degenerative changes, falling, or sudden injuries. However, only a few studies have focused on the use of Korean medicine treatments for TFCC-related wrist pain. This case report presents the successful outcomes of integrated Korean medicine treatment in a patient with a partial TFCC tear. The diagnosis was confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed the tear. Subsequently, the patient received integrated Korean medicine treatments. The assessment of the pain scale scores revealed a significant reduction in wrist pain and an improvement in daily life activities. Based on the findings of this study, integrated Korean medicine treatments have been proven to be an effective treatment option for patients with a partial TFCC tear. However, further research is needed to determine the potential benefits and mechanisms of these treatments in managing TFCC-related wrist pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2023

Drug-induced dyskinesia is an involuntary muscle movement caused by various dopamine receptor-blocking drug exposure, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antiemetics. Causative drug removal is the main treatment for drug-induced dyskinesia whenever possible because its pathophysiology lacks a universally accepted mechanism; however, the symptoms can persist for years or decades in many patients even after causative drug removal. Herein, we present a case of drug-induced dyskinesia in a 61-year-old female patient who consumed medication for approximately 10 years for her depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Cervical and facial dyskinesia was suggested to be related to perphenazine and levosulpiride administration. The patient received acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and chuna treatment for 81 days during hospitalization. The symptoms were evaluated using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale, Tsui's score, and Numeric Rating Scale, which revealed remarkable improvement, suggesting the effectiveness of combined Korean medicine for drug-induced dyskinesia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.562-577
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• 2023

Objectives: This is a five-year survival and complete response (CR) report on pancreatic cancer treated with western medicine and Korean traditional medicine. Method: A 59-year-old woman diagnosed with pancreatic cancer visited ○○ Korean traditional medicine hospital after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. She was treated with Korean traditional medicine, including acupuncture, abdominal moxibustion, wild ginseng pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine, which was based on integrated medicine therapy (IMT), from March 2018 to September 2022. The tumor size was measured by scanning with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and positron-emission tomography/CT. Adverse events were evaluated using laboratory conclusion and National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Result: During four years and three months of treatment, IMT maintained safety. The patient finally reached five-year survival without any recurrence or complication (CR) on October 26, 2022. Conclusion: We suggest that an integrative approach including Korean traditional medicine can be a meaningful treatment option for pancreatic cancer. Further studies should be performed to establish the proper treatment protocol of integrative medicine for pancreatic cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 2020

This review aimed to compare the effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) with Korean-Western integrative medicine (KWIM) at treating Bell's palsy. A literature search of several databases for relevant randomized controlled trials was performed. Six studies that compared KM with KWIM to treat Bell's palsy were included in this review. Acupuncture and steroids were the most commonly used treatments in KWIM. A comparison of the effectiveness of KW with KWIM did not produce consistent results. Both KM and KWIM were useful intreating Bell's palsy. KWIM was more effective than KM when the Western medicine was a steroid and was given in the early stages of treatment. However, these findings are limited due to the low quality and number of included studies. KM and KWIM are both effective in Bell's palsy, and KWIM is more effective than KM. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are required.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.107-115
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• 2017

Objectives This study is planned to classify correlation between HIVD of L-spine MRI and Digital Infrared Thermal Image (DITI). Methods We measured the temperature of both leg whose 120 men and 116 women patients with lumbar pain in Bucheon Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital. And We use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for classifying the patients who has lumbar intervertebral disc or not. Results 1) There was no statistical relation between difference of both leg's temperature and gender (p>0.05). 2) There was meaningful statistical relation between difference of both leg's temperature and age (p<0.05). 3) There was meaningful statistical relation between direction of HIVD of L-spine and direction of temperature reduction. 4) There was meaningful statistical relation between the severity of HIVD of L5/S1 and degree of temperature reduction. But there was no statistical relation between the severity of HIVD of L3/4, L4/5 and degree of temperature reduction. Conclusions We can use Digital Infrared thermal image (DITI) on low back pain patients for diagnosis. But we should not use DITI alone. DITI has limit in diagnosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2021

Combined Western-Korean medicine treatments were given to a 67-year-old woman with late onset seizures who underwent surgical drainage of a subdural hematoma. Clonazepam and herbal medicine was prescribed. Acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, chuna, and physical therapy were also performed. The frequency and intensity of seizures was assessed using the Chalfont Seizure Severity Scale. The seizure index score improved from 25 at admission to 0 at discharge. Pain in the right upper extremity reduced from 10 to 0 on the visual analogue scale and muscle strength increased from Grade 3 to 5 in Medical Research Council Scale for the Manual Muscle Test. At the time of hospitalization, the manual muscle strength tests for the affected shoulder, elbow, wrist, and grip strength were 30%, 60%, 10%, 5%, respectively, which improved almost 100% by discharge. Further studies using combined Western-Korean medicine for seizures after strokes are necessary to determine the most effective treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.940-950
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report on the efficacy of Korean medical treatment for treating menopausal vasomotor symptoms (heat flashes and sleep disorders). Methods: We treated a menopausal female patient with heat flashes and sleep disorders using Korean medical treatments (herbal medicines, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, and chuna). To evaluate the results of this treatment, we used Kupperman's Index and the Numerical Rating Scale to measure heat flashes and total sleeping time, respectively. The patient's general health status was evaluated using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale. Results: We observed improvements in Kupperman's Index, the Numerical Rating Scale, the patient's total sleeping time, and the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale following the treatments. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medicine may be an effective treatment for menopausal vasomotor symptoms (heat flashes and sleep disorders).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1041-1049
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe the effects of treatment with traditional Korean medicine on a patient with voiding dysfunction caused by cerebral infarction. Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine, moxibustion, acupuncture, and electroacupuncture. The effects of these treatments were evaluated using the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index and a post-void residual volume. Results: In this study, the Korean medicine Dangguishaoyao-san-hap-Jeoryeong-tang resulted in improvements in this patient with post-stroke urinary retention and successful removal of the indwelling catheter. Conclusion: The results suggest that traditional Korean medicine may be effective in ameliorating dysfunction caused by cerebral infarction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.911-919
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment on dizziness diagnosed as Dam Hun. Methods: The patient received herbal medicine treatment of Banhabakchulchunma-tang and acupuncture from May 18, 2023 to June 3, 2023. To evaluate the treatment, we used the Korean Version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (K-DHI) to measure dizziness. The degree of dizziness, headache, and dyspepsia was also evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: The patient's VAS scores improved after treatment. The change in the K-DHI scores showed that the patient's dizziness symptoms were relieved. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Korean medicine therapies may be effective for treating dizziness.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.97-106
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• 2024

The aim of this case report was to present the effects of intensive integrative Korean medicine treatment in a patient with lower back pain, both under extremity numbness, neck pain induced by adrenoleukodytrophy. A 49-year-old male patient was treated with Cheongpajeon-H, acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture (Shinbaro2), chuna therapy for total 50 days of hospitalization. Lower back pain, both under extremity numbness, neck pain were assessed with a Oswestry disability index (ODI), Vernon-Mior neck disability index (NDI), numeric rating scale (NRS) and EuroQoL-5 dimension (EQ-5D). With 50 days of treatment, the pain was relieved from NRS 6 to 2. EQ-5D score increased from 0.75 to 0.779, ODI decreased from 34 to 15.56, NDI decreased from 30 to 15.56. These results show that lower back pain, both under extremity numbness, neck pain can be relieved with intensive integrative Korean medicine treatment. However, further well-designed studies are required to confirm these findings.