• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.894-900
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of traditional Korean medicine as a treatment for a diabetic patient diagnosed with herniated intervertebral lumbar discs. Methods: We treated the patient with herbal medicines, acupuncture, herbal acupuncture therapy, and physical therapy. We measured the state and progress of this case with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). We also checked serum glucose levels (FBS/PP2hrs) regularly. Results: After treatment, the NRS score was decreased, the ODI score was improved, and the blood glucose level was stabilized. The overall symptoms of the patient showed positive improvement.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.804-813
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• 2018

Objective To elucidate the effect of a 12-week horizontal vibration exercise (HVE) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients as compared to vertical vibration exercise (VVE). Methods Twenty-eight CLBP patients were randomly assigned to either the HVE or VVE group. All participants performed the exercise for 30 minutes each day, three times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. Altered pain and functional ability were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Changes in lumbar muscle strength, transverse abdominis (TrA) and multifidus muscle thicknesses, and standing balance were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, ultrasonography, and balance parameters, respectively. These assessments were evaluated prior to treatment, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the first treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of treatment (that is, 16 weeks after the first treatment). Results According to the repeated-measures analysis of variance, there were significant improvements with time on VAS, ODI, standing balance score, lumbar flexor, and extensor muscle strength (all p<0.001 in both groups) without any significant changes in TrA (p=0.153 in HVE, p=0.561 in VVE group) or multifidus (p=0.737 in HVE, p=0.380 in VVE group) muscle thickness. Further, there were no significant differences between groups according to time in any of the assessments. No adverse events were noticed during treatment in either group. Conclusion HVE is as effective as VVE in reducing pain, strengthening the lumbar muscle, and improving the balance and functional abilities of CLBP patients. Vibrational exercise increases muscle strength without inducing muscle hypertrophy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.700-711
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• 2019

Objective : The treatment of multiple thoracolumbar spine fractures according to fracture continuity has rarely been reported. Herein we evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of multiple thoracolumbar fractures depending on continuous or noncontinuous status. Methods : From January 2010 to January 2016, 48 patients with acute thoracic and lumbar multiple fractures who underwent posterior fusion surgery were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups (group A : continuous; group B : noncontinuous). We investigated the causes of the injuries, the locations of the injuries, the range of fusion levels, and the functional outcomes based on the patients' general characteristics. Results : A total of 48 patients were enrolled (group A : 25 patients; group B : 23 patients). Both groups had similar pre-surgical clinical and radiologic features. The fusion level included three segments (group A : 4; group B : 5) or four segments (group A : 19; group B : 5). Group B required more instrumented segments than did group A. Group A scored 23.5 and group B scored 33.4 on the Korean Oswestry Disability Index (KODI) at the time of last follow-up. In both groups, longer fusion was associated with worse KODI score. Conclusion : In this study, due to the assumption of similar initial clinical and radiologic features in both group, the mechanism of multiple fractures is presumed to be the same between continuous and noncontinuous fractures. The noncontinuous fracture group had worse KODI scores in long-term follow-up, thought to be due to long fusion level. Therefore, we recommend minimizing the number of segments that are fused in multiple thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures when decompression is not necessary.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2021

The study reports the clinical case of a patient with lower extremity weakness and gait disturbance treated with Korean medicine treatments including Chuna therapy. The patient suffered lower extremity weakness and gait disturbance with diagnosis of lumbar disk herniation and spinal stenosis. As a treatment, the doctor applied Chuna therapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping and moxa. The effect of treatment was evaluated by numeral rating scale (NRS), self-walkable distance, functional independence measure (FIM), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and manual muscle test (MMT). NRS decreased from 6 to 4 at the leg. Self-walkable distance increased from 0 m to 10 m, FIM increased 85 to 96 points while ODI decreased 64% to 54%. MMT of hip flex and knee extension improved from grade 3+, grade 3 to grade 4, respectively. Korean medicine treatment can be effective for patients who suffer lower extremity weakness and gait disturbance due to lumbar disk herniation and spinal stenosis. Further clinical studies are required to verify these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in the vertebral segments between patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) and healthy participants without back pain and to determine the correlation between vertebral bone-segment PPT and pain level, lower back pain dysfunction, and psychological status in patients with CLBP. Methods: The subjects of this study were 23 healthy adults and 23 adults with CLBP. PPT was measured in 23 spinal bone segments using a PPT device, and the CLBP group was subjected to a pain level test (NRS) and a psychological test using the Korean version of the pain catastrophizing scale (KPCS). The functional level was assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (KODI). Results: PPTs of the spinal sclerotomes were significantly lower in patients with CLBP than in healthy participants. In the CLBP group, the composite score of lumbar PPTs showed a high correlation with the composite scores for all segments, but not with the pain level (NRS), KPCS score, and spinal sclerotome PPT. Moreover, PPT in the sacral sclerotomes showed a significant negative correlation coefficient with function, with a KODI score of -.462 (p<.01). Conclusion: In this study, PPTs in all spinal segments in patients with CLBP was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects. The PPTs of the lumbar region was significantly correlated with the PPTs of other spinal regions. Through this study, it was found that there were changes in PPTs in CLBP patients not only in the lumbar region but also in other spinal regions. This information should be considered during clinical treatment of patients with low back pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.77-87
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• 2016

Objectives : This is a pilot study for a large randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of a newly developed contrast therapy device-- alternating topical heat and cold -- for patients with chronic low back pain. The main objective of this study is to confirm the feasibility of the study design. Methods : The design was a randomized, 2-arm, parallel-group, single-blind, placebo controlled trial. Patients in each group received real or sham contrast therapy in an acupuncture point 10 times over four weeks. The primary outcome measure was pain intensity on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes were back-related dysfunction based on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), and range of motion of lumbar spine based on the modified Schober test (mSchober test), Finger-to-Floor distance (FTF distance), and Finger-to-Thigh distraction (FTT distraction). Results : A total of 30 subjects with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to a contrast therapy group (n＝15) or a sham group (n＝15). A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed statistically significant group time interaction for VAS, RMDQ, mSchober test and FTF distance (p<0.05). The treatment group showed significant improvement in pain intensity and functional disability as compared to the sham group. Conclusion : Contrast therapy may be an effective and safe treatment for chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.238-252
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• 2003

Objective : This study is performed for the purpose of examining the efficacy of the scolopendrid(Scolopendra morsitans L.) which has been to low back pain as a folk remedy. Methods & Results : Seventy patients with H.I.V.D. treated with the scolopendrid aquacupuncture and examined 4 tests; D.I.T.I., physical test, Oswestry disability index, and self-conscious pain rate were studied. And we follow up after discharge, we evaluated the present state and recovery period. Or we evaluated by herniated type and duration of onset. There was 58~97% of efficacy rate in each tests. Moreover, statistically valuable change in all 7 D.I.T.I. points and in disability index and in self-conscious pain rate was showed. Conclusion : The scolopendrid aquacupuncture is possible to be effective terating the H.I.V.D patients. So we suggest the possibility using this new remedy to the H.I.V.D. patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.39-54
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• 2006

Objectives : Herniation of Nucleus Pulpous (HNP) of Lumbar is one of the most common causes of low back pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture (BVA), and bee venom Pharmacopuncture (BVP) therapy for HNP. Methods : We separated 35 patients with HNP of L-spine into three groups; Acupuncture treated group, BVA treated group, and BVP treated group, and monitored for 30 days. 4 grades of recovery degree, score of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were examined for comparison. Results : 1. Visual Analogue Scale of low back pain and radiating pain showed significant decrease in BVA and BVP groups compared to the Acupuncture group at VAS0_2, VAS0_3 evaluations. 2. ODI of disability of daily activities showed significant decrease in BVA and BVP groups compared to the Acupuncture group at VAS0_1, VAS0_2, and VAS0_3 evaluations. 3. Compared to the Acupuncture group, BVA and BVP groups were improved in S.L.R.T and R.O.M of L-spine as confirmed by the physical examination. 4. Treatment efficacy was more apparent in acute cases as ODI was significantly lower than chronic cases. Conclusion : BVA and BVP therapies can be used in addition to the acupuncture therapy for highly effective treatment of HNP. Further clinical studies are required to verify these findings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.309-318
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare 2 different interventions, global postural re-education (GPR) and specific spinal stabilization exercise in the healthy elderly of women. Methods : A total of 28 subjects were randomized into 2 treatment groups: GPR, where therapy involved muscle global chain stretching, or specific spinal stabilization exercise with conventional static stretching (GPR group: n=14, specific spinal stabilization exercise group: n=14). Both groups received exercise intervention 3 times a week for 12-weeks. Results : Outcome was based on trunk endurance, trunk flexibility, Pressure Bio Feedback, Oswestry Disability Index measured immediately before and after intervention. Trunk flexibility, Pressure Bio Feedback, Oswestry Disability Index improved more in GPR group after intervention. There were no differences between the 2 exercise approaches for any of the trunk endurance. Conclusion : As the above results, GPR appear to improve Trunk flexibility, Pressure Bio Feedback, Oswestry Disability Index to the elderly of women. The efficacy of the GPR program used in this study should be further investigated in a long period study and objective outcomes.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.63-74
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Oriental medical treatment in patients with Spondylolisthesis and lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc(HIVD). Methods : This clinical study was carried out on 39 patients with Spondylolisthesis and lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc(HIVD), who had been admitted from Jan. 2012 to Nov. 2012. All of 39 patients were treated with acupuncture, Chuna treatment and herbal medicine during the whole admission period. Verbal numerical rating scale(VNRS) and Oswestry disability index(ODI) were used to evaluated the effectiveness of the Oriental medical treatment. Results : 1. Significant improvement of the symptoms of low back pain and leg pain on 39 patients with Spondylolisthesis and lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc(HIVD) was seen when evaluated with VNRS and ODI. 2. There was no significant difference of improvement by herniated type when evaluated with VNRS and ODI.. 3. There was no significant difference of improvement by spondylolisthesis type(degenerative and spondylolytic) when evaluated with VNRS and ODI. Conclusions : These results suggest that in the case of low back pain and lower limb numbness caused by Spondylolisthesis and HIVD, conservative treatments can be considered as one of the options of treating the symptoms beside surgical way.