• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of Korean medical treatments combined with acupotomy on patients diagnosed with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of twenty in patients diagnosed with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. They had received Korean medical treatment combined with acupotomy on tender points in the gluteus minimus muscle and piriformis muscle at Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital of Dong-Shin University from April, 2014 to December, 2014. To evaluate the efficacy of the treatments, the twenty in patients were asked to complete the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) before acupotomy, the first day after acupotomy, the third day after acupotomy, and the fifth day after acupotomy. Results : 1. NRS significantly decreased from $6.15{\pm}1.27$ to $3.90{\pm}1.45$. 2. ODI significantly decreased from $23.64{\pm}8.76$ to $15.95{\pm}7.35$. Conclusions : Korean medical treatment combined with acupotomy on tender points in the gluteus minimus muscle and piriformis muscle might be effective in reducing pain and improving the life quality of patients with a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. We hope that further studies will be done to produce more clinical data and ensure effective application of these results.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Korean medicine combination treatments for recurring back pain after medical procedures. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on 311 patients admitted to Daejoen Jaseng hospital who were diagnosed with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral discs. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not they had undergone at least one medical procedure on the lumbar spine. They were assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions Index (EQ-5D) before and after treatment. Results: Patients who experienced a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group A), statistically significantly improved EQ-5D and ODI scores. The NRS scores also decreased however it was not statistically significant. Patients who had not undergone a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group B) had statistically significantly improved ODI and NRS scores. The average EQ-5D score decreased however, there was no statistically significant difference before and after scores in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in variation in EQ-5D, ODI, and NRS scores before and after treatment between the groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that even after a bilateral procedure and surgery, when pain in patients with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc did not decrease, (as in failed back surgery syndrome), Korean medicine combination treatment of postoperative pain was helpful and there was improvement in daily life.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining the lumbar stabilization exercise with the gluteal muscle strength exercise on pain, the dysfunction index, and postnatal depression in women experiencing chronic low back pain after a cesarean section. Methods: The study used a randomized design with two groups: one group (n=15) performed the lumbar stabilization exercise along with the gluteal muscle strength exercise, while the other group (n=15) only did the lumbar stabilization exercise. The intervention consisted of 30 minute exercise sessions, twice a week, for 6 weeks. The pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), the dysfunction index with the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and postnatal depression using the edinburgh postnatal depression scale-Korean version (EPDS-K). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in their VAS, ODI, and EPDS-K scores within their respective groups (p<.05). Additionally, the between-group analysis revealed significant differences in post-test results (p<.05). Conclusion: The combination of the lumbar stabilization exercise and the gluteal muscle strength exercise proved to be more effective in reducing pain, improving the dysfunction index, and alleviating postnatal depression in women with chronic low back pain after a cesarean section. Therefore, incorporating these exercises could be beneficial as an intervention program for women experiencing chronic low back pain after a cesarean section.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise using a Pilates reformer on the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and quality of life of patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: The study evaluated individuals aged 30 years and above who had been suffering from persistent back pain exceeding three months. The participants were allocated into two groups: an experimental cohort of 15 individuals utilizing a reformer and a control group of 15 individuals engaging in lumbar stabilization exercises on a mat without a reformer for eight weeks. Each exercise session encompassed a 10-minute warm-up, a 30-minute main exercise, and a 10-minute cool-down, totaling 50 minutes. The lumbar stabilization group using the reformer was also subjected to the same level of resistance provided by the springs. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention using the VAS, ODI, and quality of life evaluations. RESULTS: Significant disparity existed between the experimental group utilizing the reformer and the control group before and after the intervention in terms of the VAS, ODI change, and quality of life change (p < .05). Furthermore, a significant distinction was observed in the comparison between the experimental and control groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Both cohorts showed a decrease in pain, a decrease in the ODI, and an improvement in the quality of life. Furthermore, the experimental group exhibited superior outcomes to the control group regarding pain reduction, reduction in the ODI, and improved quality of life.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.103-116
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to assess the effectiveness of conservative Korean traditional medical treatment on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in 12 adolescents. Methods : Data were collected from adolescent patients diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral herniation by MRI, hospitalized at Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015. A total of 12 patients were included in the study. Patients were treated by acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, chuna manual therapy, physical therapy during hospitalization period. To measure treatment outcomes, a verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), range of motion (ROM), Straight leg raising test (SLR), and EQ-5D were used. Results : The average age of the participants was $16.05{\pm}1.62$. The average of duration of symptom was $19.25{\pm}26.83(weeks)$ and the average length of hospitalization was $23.8{\pm}16.4(days)$. 2 patients (17 %) suffered from only lumbar pain, while 10 patients (83 %) suffered from lumbar and leg pain. No participant suffered from only leg pain. 8 patients (67 %) were diagnosed with disc herniation in one segment, and 4 patients (33 %) were diagnosed with disc herniation in multiple segments. A total of 17 disc segments (28 %) were herniated. The most herniated lumbar level was L4-5. 3 segments were diagnosed with bulging (17 %), 6 with protrusion (35 %), and 8 with extrusion (47 %). Extrusion was the most frequent herniated type. After treatment, the average VNRS of lumbar pain significantly decreased from $5.58{\pm}1.62$ to $2.91{\pm}1.56$ (p<0.001) and the average VNRS of leg pain significantly decreased from $5.16{\pm}2.51$ to $3.08{\pm}1.8$ (p<0.001). ODI significantly decreased from $48.87{\pm}18.72$ to $28.57{\pm}15.05$ (p<0.05), and EQ-5D significantly increased $0.58{\pm}0.31$ to $0.80{\pm}0.12$ (p<0.05). Range of flexion significantly improved from $61.25{\pm}32.62$ to $68.33{\pm}26.22$ (p<0.05). Conclusion : Conservative Korean Traditional Medical Treatment may be effective in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in adolescence. However, more case reports and clinical research are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.79-99
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• 2004

Objective : This study was designed to find out the effect of scolopendrid aquacupuncture classified by the type of HIVD(Herniation of Inter-Vertebral Disc) in lumbar spine. Methods : The 50 patients who had a diagnosis of HIVD by lumbar-CT or lumbar-MRI and admitted to Gwangju oriental medical hospital in wonkwang university from June 2003 to March 2004 were observed. The symptom of inpatients is low back pain with or without sciatica. We treated 50 patients by scolopendrid aquacupuncture besides the general consevative treatment of oriental medicine. Results and Conclusion : The scolopendrid aquacupuncture treatment led to improvement in the pain and symptom of HIVD as determined by all efficacy measures. After scolopendrid aquacupuncture treatment, there was improvement in VAS, oswestry disability index, ROM and SLRT. The improvement index of scolopendrid aquacupuncture treatment classified by the type of HIVD showed that the effects of scolopendrid aquacupuncture had correlation with the type of HIVD. The more the herniation of intervertebral disc decreased, the more the effect of scolopendrid aquacupuncture increased. This results suggest that scolopendrid aquacupuncture is good method for treatment of HIVD but we have to consider the clinical correlation with the degree of herniation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate between low back pain scale and disability index owing to gait pattern. For the period of February 1 to February 29, 2004, we had conducted a questionnaire and direct interview with 100 persons lived in Daejeon. The result were as follows: 1. The stride length of experimental group, the male was $49.9{\pm}12.9cm$, the female $45.7{\pm}12.9cm$ and the width of feet. the male was $13.5{\pm}5.7cm$, the female $12.2{\pm}4.8cm$. 2. The Fick angle of all subjects was showed in external disposition, the left angle showed in asymmetry, the male was $11.0{\pm}5.7^{\circ}$, the female $8.5{\pm}1.3^{\circ}$. 3. The foot arch was similar to sex as a weight bearing and non-weight bearing, the male was $1.3{\pm}0.8cm$, the female $1.3{\pm}0.9cm$. 4. The impedimental index according to back pain grade, men was a lower than women, the male was $5.7{\pm}6.9$ and the female $7.2{\pm}5.3$. 5. The relation to difference between foot arch and disability index according to back pain grade as a weight bearing and non-weight bearing, the higher foot arch, the higher back pain grade was statistically significance(p<.05). 6. The relation between width of feet and disability index according to back pain grade, the wider width of feet, the higher back pain grade was statistically significance(p<.01). 7. The relation between stride length and disability index according to back pain grade, the wider stride length, the higher back pain grade was statistically significance (p<.05).

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to estimate the test-retest reliability and the intratest repeatability in measuring the lumbar range of motion of healthy volunteers with wireless microelectromechanical system inertial measurement unit(MEMS-IMU) system and to discuss the feasibility of this system in the clinical setting to evaluate the lumbar spine movement. Methods : 19 healthy male volunteers were participated, who got under 21 points at oswestry disability index(ODI) were adopted. Their lumbar motion were measured with IMU twice in consecutive an hour for the test-retest reliability study. Intratest repeatability was calculated in the two tests separately. The calculated intraclass correlation coefficients(ICC) were discussed and compared with the those of the previous studies. Results : Lumbar range of motion of flexion $41.45^{\circ}$, extension $16.34^{\circ}$, right lateral bending $16.41^{\circ}$ left lateral bending $13.63^{\circ}$ right rotation $-2.47^{\circ}$, left rotation $-0.61^{\circ}$. ICCs were 0.96~1.00(intratest repeatability) and 0.61~0.92(test-retest reliability). Conclusion : This study shows that MEMS-IMU system demonstrates a high test-retest reliability and intratest repeatability by calculated intraclass correlation coefficients. The results of this study represents that wireless inertial sensor measurement system has portable and economical efficiency. By MEMS-IMU system, we can measures lumbar range of motion and analyze lumbar motion effectively.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.47-57
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• 2001

Objective: This study is performed for the purpose of examining into the efficacy of the scolopendrid(Scolopendra morsitans L) which has been used among the Korean people for the H.I.V.D of lumbar spine. Methods & Results: Using the herbal acupuncture made of scolopendrid(Scolopendra morsitans L), we treated the 10 H.l. V.D patients for 1 week and operated 4 pre and post treatment test ; D.I.T.I, 6 kind of physical test, Oswestry disability index, and self-conscious pain rate. Trough Lite test, we saw 50-100% of efficacy rate in each test. Otherwise, only 5 of the 7 point in D.I.T.I and self-conscious pain rate showed statistically valuable change. Conclusion: we brought to the conclusion that the scolopendrid herbal acupuncture has possibility to be efficient to cure the H.I.V.D patients. So we suggest the possibility to use this new remedy for the H.I.V.D.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.241-256
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• 2011

Objectives: This study is to observe the effect of oriental medicine treatment combined with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy on traumatic rupture of intervertebral disc patients caused by traffic accidents. Methods: The patients who have traumatic rupture in lumbar(L)-spine(case 1) and cervical(C)-spine(case 2) were treated by oriental medicine treatment in combination with Soyeom pharmacopunture therapy. VAS(visual analog scale), ROM(range of motion), and physical exam were checked on a daily basis while NDI(neck disability index) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) were examined for 3 times at 7 day interval. Results: 1. Fer 8-9 days from the admission day, the sole use of oriental medicine treatment did not make many improvements in the case of two patients' symptoms. After combining with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy, chief complaints were improved significantly. 2. In case 1, lumbago decreased from VAS 10 to VAS 5 and lumbar ROM got better than before. ODl score cropped from 42 to 27. 3. In case 2, left shoulder pain and nuchal pain lowered from VAS 10 to VAS 4, left upper limb numbness and weakness were improved, The patient showed nearly fun ROM. NDI score decreased from 26 to 19. Conclusions: Oriental medicine treatment in combination with Soyeom pharmacopuncture therapy is proved to be helpful to improve the symptoms of the traumatic rupture of intervertebral else patients caused by traffic accident.