• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.33-45
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to compare the effects of spinal manipulation combined with medication on low back pain (LBP), range of motion, and disability in patients with chronic LBP. Methods : Twenty patients with chronic LBP were included in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to the spinal manipulation with medication group (n=10) or the medication only group (n=10). The intervention group received spinal manipulation for 15 minutes, twice a week, and took medication twice a day for eight weeks. The control group received the medication twice daily for eight weeks. Pain intensity assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), range of motion, and disability due to LBP assessed using the Oswestry disability index were measured before and after the intervention. Results : The intervention group showed a significant improvement in pain intensity compared to the control group (p<.05), and the intervention and control groups significantly improved low back pain after the intervention (p<.05). The intervention group showed a significant improvement in the range of motion in flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion, and right rotation (p<.05). The intervention group also showed a significant improvement in the change of disability in total score, pain intensity, personal care, lifting and standing compared to the control group (p<.05). Conclusion : This study showed that the combination of spinal manipulation and medication can benefit patients with chronic LBP, as evidenced by significant improvements in pain intensity, ROM, and disability. These findings suggest that utilizing both spinal manipulation and medication can positively affect individuals with chronic LBP. The results of this study should be applied in clinical settings to optimize treatment outcomes in patients with chronic LBP.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.389-394
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• 2022

In particular, the phenomenon of c-Jun degradation within the inflammatory response has not yet been fully analyzed. In order to verify this, we investigated LPS-stimulated murine macrophages pre-treated with sodium orthovanadate (SO) in order to uncover the regulatory mechanisms of the MAPKs which regulate c-Jun degradation within the inflammatory response. Through our study, we found that SO suppressed the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and the expression of COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, SO decreased total c-Jun levels, without altering the amount of mRNA, although the phospho-levels of p38, ERK, and JNK were strongly enhanced. Through the usage of selective MAPK inhibitors, and knockdown and overexpression strategies, p38 was revealed to be a major MAPK which regulates c-Jun degradation. Further analysis indicates that the phosphorylation of p38 is a determinant for c-Jun degradation, and is sufficient to induce ubiquitination-dependent c-Jun degradation, recovered through MG132 treatment. Therefore, our results suggest that the hyperphosphorylation of p38 by SO contributes to c-Jun degradation, which is linked to the suppression of PGE₂ secretion in inflammatory responses; and thus, finding drugs to increase p38 activity could be a novel strategy for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

Melasma is a common disorder that causes dark colored patches. It generally causes brown spots on the face, especially on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lips. The pattern of patches has bilateral symmetry in yellowish-brown to gray-brown colors. It is much more common in women than in men. Melasma is considered to be caused by environmental and physical constitutional factors and often occurs when a woman's hormone changes by pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptive pills. It is important to combine oriental medicine and Sasang constitutional medicine for treatment of Melasma. Normal treatment of Melasma includes warming oneself, removal of the emotional stress factors, and good nutrition.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.99-113
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• 2023

This paper is a study to find the philological basis of Bihoon (鼻熏) therapy. There is no separate philological study of Bihoon therapy to date, and for this reason, there is no clear definition or specific treatment manual. In this study, a related database was created and analyzed by examining literature data related to Bihoon therapy, focusing on Korean traditional medical books. There were about 1,000 data points related to Bihoon therapy in 45 kinds of medical books. They were largely classified into 1. Acute diseases such as insensitivity, 2. Diseases that occur in the upper human body such as nose, head, eyes, and throat, 3. Women's diseases related to childbirth, 4. Treatment of skin diseases and prevention of infectious diseases. In the case of insensitivity treatment, the focus was on awakening the patient's mind, and the treatment of diseases such as the nose, head, eyes, etc. was focused on resolving each symptom. Symptoms related to childbirth were mainly treated for uterine escapism or fainting after childbirth, while skin diseases were mainly treated for diseases that did not heal well, such as amniotic fluid. If a multifaceted approach to non-discipline therapy is added in the future, it is expected that clinical utilization will also be increased.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2017

In order to understand Changeologically on the meaning of FCST's TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) treatment procedure, Yi, Shike, Bi, Gen trigrams concerning the jaw and change by treatment were analyzed from the viewpoint of semiotic context of hexagon and holistic interpretation on disease. Yi is meant by jaw but actually indicates mouth made by maxilla and mandible, and it's characters are related with nourishing by aliment and words. But when we eat and speak in the daily life, jaw does not nourish properly it's own body by bad habit or postures. For the treatment of this ill state, there needs punishment and correction symbolized with Shike. Shike has fourth nine meaning obstacles between the two strong lines in the upper and lower end, and so it has the function of mastication and get rid of the fourth nine metaphorically indicating subluxation of axis using CBA and auxiliary measures of four movement or laughing methods. Bi expresses the achievement and effects of consecutive mastication process implicating normalized manifestation of jaw and its linked spinal function. Gen symbolizes removing selfish motive or partiality in advance and reaches the best state of the saint righteously self-nourishable human being.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.19-28
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to apply manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and high-frequency diathermy (HFD) to patients with axillary web syndrome (AWS), one of the side effects of breast cancer surgery, and to treat upper extremity pain, volume, function of the upper extremity, (joint range of motion; ROM, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand; DASH) and quality of life before and after treatment. It is to determine the effect of treatment by checking the level change. Methods : This study is a case series. A total of 5 patients diagnosed with AWS after breast cancer surgery voluntarily participated in this study. The intervention program consisted of stretching, MLD and HFD. It was conducted 3 times a week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. In order to compare the effects of pain (numeric pain rating scale; NPRS), volume, upper limb function (ROM, DASH) and quality of life (the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-breast, EORTC QLQ-BR23) evaluations were compared before and after 4 weeks of intervention. All measured variables were analyzed and expressed as mean, standard deviation and percentage. Results : The shoulder NPRS level of the subjects in all case groups decreased, the volume decreased and the shoulder flexion, abduction ROM increased. It showed improvement in DASH and quality of life, QLQ-BR23. Conclusion : After breast cancer surgery, we confirmed the possibility that MLD and HFD treatments could be effective in improving pain, decreasing volume, increasing upper extremity function, and quality of life for patients who have difficulties with AWS. The possibility has been confirmed, and additional research is needed by increasing the number of participants in the experiment in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.163-169
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the anti-allergic effect of Persicaria perfoliata water extract (PPWE) on IgE stimulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cell line. Methods : P. perfoliata (L.) H. Gross has been used in traditional medicine as an anti-allergic agent, antipyretic, and diuretic and for respiratory disorders. To analyze the anti-allergic activity of PPWE, release of β-hexosaminidase in RBL-2H3 cells was estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Also, the cytotoxic effect of PPWE was identified by WST assay, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB and its upstream signaling molecules were assessed by western blot analysis. Results : PPWE treatment significantly attenuated β-hexosaminidase release in a dose dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. PPWE inhibited β-hexosaminidase activity by 38.4±1.2, 36.6±0.6, 32.5±2.2 and 26.5±1.2 at 500, 250, 100, and 50 ㎍/㎖ of PPWE, respectively, compared with the control group. In addition, an analysis of the expression level of NF-κB, an inflammation transcription factor, in RBL-2H3 cells upon IgE stimulation provided reults consistent with the results of β-hexosaminidase release. The phosphorylated status of upstream signaling molecules for transcription factor, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), was also analyzed. The results showed that PPWE treatment dose-dependently inhibited phosphorylation of extracellular regulatory kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results show that PPWE had a strong IgE-mediated degranulation inhibitory effect on RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusion : P. perfoliata ameliorated IgE-mediated allergic reaction via the modulation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathway in RBL-2H3 cells. These results indicate that P. perfoliata could be a potential candidate for a treatment strategy against various allergic disorders.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.19-38
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• 2017

Objectives : This is a retrospective statistical analysis of the demographic and therapeutic characteristics influencing the continued improvement of symptoms in patients treated in 2014 for herniated lumbar discs at a Korean medicine hospital; thereby, providing clinical data to further improve medical services of Korean medicine. Methods : We investigated the demographic and therapeutic variables of all patients who were diagnosed with a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc and were hospitalized for more than 1 night at Dunsan Korean medicine hospital from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014. IBM SPSS 21.0 was used to conduct a logistic multiple regression analysis and a covariance analysis (ANCOVA) of the demographic and therapeutic variables collected from the electronic medical records and telephone surveys. Results : 1. A longer duration of hospitalization was significantly better for the maintenance of pain relief or a decrease in the pain after discharge. 2. Younger patients were significantly less likely to be treated with a Western medical treatment after discharge. 3. Most of the demographic and therapeutic variables were not statistically significant in regards to treatment for lower back pain since discharge. Conclusion : Some of the demographic and therapeutic variables had a positive effect on the prognosis at one year or greater in patients who received integrative Korean medical treatment for lumbar disc herniation. Continued and systematic research will be needed.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.72-84
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• 2012

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate prevalence and the frequency of using Korean medicine, Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM), and other parallel treatments in children and young adolescence with neurological diseases. Methods From April to July 2011, parents of the children and adolescents patients suffering from neurological disease completed questionnaires. Results 578 parents answered the questionnaires. 310 cases (53.5%) were using Parallel Treatments. Types of the Parallel Treatments being used are as follows. Rehabilitation 166 cases (27.4%), Speech Therapy 169 cases (27.9%), Education (Art, Music, Play) 109 cases (18.0%), Health supplement 72 cases (11.9%), Counselling, Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy 45 cases (7.4%), Herbal Medicine 24 cases (4.0%), Acupuncture, Moxibustion 13 cases (2.1%), Neurofeedback Therapy 1 case (0.2%), Etc 7 cases (1.2%). 257 cases (44.5%) have used Parallel Treatment before. Parallel Treatments being used in the past are as follows. Herbal Medicine 146 cases (35.4%), Acupuncture, Moxibustion 64 cases (15.5%), Education (Art, Music, Play) 54 cases (13.1%), Rehabilitation 47 cases (11.4%), Speech Therapy 46 cases (11.1%), Health supplement 30 cases (7.3%), Counselling? Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy 15 cases (3.6%), Neurofeedback Therapy 4 case (1.0%), Chuna, Manual Massage 2 case (0.5%), Etc 5 cases (1.2%). Conclusions Although patients were on both western medicine and Korean medicine, CAM, and other parallel treatment, the ratio of Korean medicine treatment was not as high as expected. Further studies are required to develop the model of integrative medicine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1053-1058
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• 2010

Glycyrrhizae radix (GR) is an herbal medicine commonly used in East Asia for treating a variety of diseases, including stomach disorders. In this study, the antidepressant-like activity of GR was investigated using the forced swimming test (FST) in rats. After the FST, the expression of c-Fos and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) was assessed by immunochemistry of brain samples from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). The results of the FST showed that a high dose (400 mg/kg) of extract was very effective in reducing immobility(P<0.01), and increased climbing. In addition, treatment with GR (400 mg/kg) significantly decreased the expression of c-Fos and CRF in the PVN, compared to controls. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrated that GR effectively reduced behavioral and physiological depression responses in an animal model of depression, suggesting that GR might be useful in the treatment of clinical depression.