• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.300-311
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• 2021

Background: So far there is no confidence in the basics of acupoint/meridian phenomena, specifically in spatial and temporal electrical manifestations in the skin. Methods: Using the skin electrodynamic introscopy, the skin areas of 32 × 64 mm² were monitored for spectral electrical impedance landscape with spatial resolution of 1 mm, at 2 kHz and 1 MHz frequencies. The detailed baseline and 2D test-induced 2 kHz-impedance phase dynamics and the 4-parameter time plots of dozens of individual points in the St32-34 regions were examined in a healthy participant and a patient with mild gastritis. Non-thermal stimuli were used: (1) (for the sick subject), microwaves and ultraviolet radiation applied alternately from opposite directions of the meridian; and (2) (for the healthy one) microwaves to St17, and cathodic/anodic stimulation of the outermost St45, alternately. Results: In both cases, the following phenomena have been observed: emergence of in-phase and/or antiphase coherent structures, exceeding the acupoint conditional size of 1 cm; collective movement along the meridian; reversible with a reversed stimulus; counter-directional dynamics of both whole structures and adjacent points; local abnormalities in sensitivity and dynamics of the 1 MHz and 2 kHz parameters indicating existence of different waveguide paths. Conclusion: It is assumed that these findings necessitate reconsideration of some basic methodological issues regarding neurogenic/acupuncture points as spatial and temporal phenomena; this requires development of an appropriate approach for identifying the acuzones patterns. These findings may be used for developing new approaches to personalized/controlled therapy/treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1-19
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• 2004

Objectives : To understanding biological mechanism of acupuncture therapy, we have proposed a hypothesis. First of all, there exists electric property in meridian and meridian point. Second of all, energy flowing in meridian is related with electric property. Third of all, there is electronic interaction between the operator who performs acupuncture therapy and the receiver who is given acupuncture therapy. Forth of all, acupuncture effects may depend on the electric capacity which is transferred between the operator and the receiver via acupuncture needle. Methods : Under the hypothesis, we studied the effects of electric change in $ST_{37}(+)\;and\;ST_{39}(-)$ generated by Tanchim (彈鍼) manipulation which was stimulated at $ST_{36}$ point. And compared with data on the changes of electric change from the hand of the operator during acupuncture stimulation. Electric charge induced via acupuncture needle from the operator may be important factor that causes the changes of electric change in meridian and acupoint in the receiver. Therefore we investigated the changes of electric charge induced by the operator using Maclab 400 by the following methods. The one was in stable electric circle condition and the other was in unstable electric circle condition. Results : In this experiments, the changes of electric change from the stimulation type of Tanchim manipulation performed in our lab condition in acupuncture therapy was induced at least three factor, one was the difference of bio-potentials between the operator and the receiver of acupuncture therapy, another was the depth of acupuncture insertion from the skin of the receiver, the other was an electromyogram of the receiver. Conclusion : The data imply that the first factor should make a capacitance current when the operator touched the acupuncture needle which was inserted in the receiver. Therefore, the results suggest that capacitance currents stimulus in electronic view may be important factor in acupuncture therapy between the operator and the receiver of acupuncture therapy.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.405-412
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• 2002

The principle of Acupuncture effect on meridians is what physical stimulation does on general physiology so that is gets into new equilibrium from the fallen function state of human body. However, in western medicine, it is generally accepted that the action passageway of various kinds stimulation has been regarded as nerve-endocrine-immune system. Acupuncture effect has been regarded any action for all meridians as a respones by the stimulation. Western medicine doesn's accept treatment for transmission of the bio-energy. In this paper, we compared change of electric potential when an acupuncturist's bio-energy is passed on and when is not. As a result of clinics, the acupuncture effect is different as acupuncture method, when an acupuncturist's bio-energy is passed on the meridian and it isn's. It implies that acupuncture effect can complicately respond by simple acupuncture stimulus and transmission of bio-energy, on same meridian. We could confirm the relationship between an acupuncturist's energy transmission and acupuncture effect. Therefore, we could diagnosis the state of meridian using change of electric potential on the same meridian.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 2005

Objective : In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to several acupoints and non-acupoint in CFA-induced knee arthritis was examined. Methods : A common source of persistent pain in humans is arthritis. Arthritis was induced by injection of CFA $125\;{\mu}l$ into knee joint cavity under enflurane anesthesia. The rat subsequently showed swelling of the ankle and a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for the next several days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee. EA was applied to either of $LR_2,\;LI_4$, or non-acupoint on the contralateral forelimb for 30 min under gaseous anesthesia. After the termination of EA, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 4 h. Results : EA applied to $LR_2$ point produced a significant improvement of stepping force of the affected foot lasting for at least 2 h. However, neigher $LI_4$ point nor non-point produced any significant increase of weight bearing force. The improvement of stepping pressure was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effect was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on CFA-induced knee arthritic pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a point, $LI_4$ or non-acupoint. In addition, both NO production and iNOS protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by EA applied to $LR_2$ point. Conclusion : These data suggest that EA produces a potent analgesic effect in the rat model of CFA-induced knee arthritis. This analgesic effect is produced by applying EA to an acupoint at opposite side from the painful area in a stimulus point-specific way.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.69-82
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• 2004

Objectives : In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to hand yang meridian on the ankle sprain model was examined. Methods & Results : A common source of persistent pain in humans is the lateral ankle sprain. To model this condition, the rat's right ankle was bent repeatedly, overextending lateral ligaments, for 4 min under halothane anesthesia. The rat subsequently showed swelling of the ankle and a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for the next several days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful ankle. EA was applied to the several acupuncture point on the contralateral forelimb for 30 min under gaseous anesthesia. After the termination of EA, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 4 h. EA applied to SI-6 point produced a significant improvement of stepping force of the sprained foot lasting for at least 2 h. However, neigher LI-4 point nor TE-3 point produced any significant increase of weight bearing force. The improvement of stepping pressure was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effect was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the ankle sprain pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a nearby point, LI-4 or TE-3. The analgesic effect of EA applied to SI-6 was more powerful when EA was applied by low-frequency and high-intensity stimulation. In addition, this effect need to be stimulated more than 15 min. Conclusions : These data suggest that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the ankle sprain pain model in the rat. This analgesic effect is produced by applying EA to a Tae-Yang meridian at opposite side from the painful area in a stimulus point-specific way.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.444-452
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• 2007

Acupuncture treatment cures disease by regulating the functional excessiveness or deficiency which occurs in the meridian and visceral organs, and by letting stagnated Qi and Blood flow through the whole body and then controlling Qi. Whether or not to have Qi feeling is the main factor needed to manifest the efficacy of acupuncture. So it needs the very stimulus to make Qi felt rather than the simple stimulus. In order to have Qi feeling, it needs to acupuncture a patient according to patient's thinness or fatness, constitution, richness or poverty and age. And also it needs to vary the way to acupuncture a patient according to meridian, kinds of pulse, degrees of disease, new or old diseases, seasons with a disease and local areas of disease. In order to ascertain that it is important for the quality and quantity of acupuncture stimulus and the state of feeling acupuncture to get the efficacy of acupuncture, the experiment was planned to confirm whether the form and Qi of subject has different result according to the stimulated duration and depth. On the basis of the report that acupuncture on derma, when using electroacupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) which denotes small intestinal motility, is more efficient than full depth acupuncture, I got the following result, after I observed whether the stimulated duration and depth give different efficacy according to the sex and weights of rat in experiment. The increased effects of small intestinal motility by electroacupuncture on Zusanli(ST 36) appeared after stimulating full depth for thirty minutes without distinction of sex and weights. This significant change was observed only in the female experimental group when I distinguished the sex. The small interstinal motility in rats by electroacupuncture at zusanli(ST 36) decreased in the 10 minutes' stimulated group and 30 minutes' stimulated group by duration on the one hand, and derma-deep stimulated group and full depth stimulated group by the depth of stimulus on the other hand, as the weights increased. This result shows that the duration and depth of acupuncture depends on the differences of acupuncture points, sex of the experimental animals, ages, and, weights. And the further study on the experimental and clinical differences and sextual differences need to be continued on.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1344-1348
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• 2005

Moxibustion treatment gives stimulus to specific points in the meridian distributed on the body, and controls imbalance of Qi, blood stream, and, Yin and Yang. So this treatment is the way that prevents and cures diseases by making meridian flow normal. Moxibustion stimulating conditions have a great influence on the treatment results. So proper standards of stimulus are needed to expect effective treatment results. To know what number of moxibustions are needed to gain good treatment effects, I observed the gastrin level in blood after moxibustion on the Xiawan(CV10). Gastrin stimulates to secrete gastric acid. The followings are the results. After 1, 5, and 10 moxibustions everyday on each rat for 5 days, 1 compared what number of moxibustion had a good effect. The group of 5 moxibustions every day had a more significant effect. After moxibustions of 1, 5, and 10 coagulated moxas on each rat, 1 compared the effect of the size of coagulated moxa. The group of 5 and 10 coagulated moxas had a more significant effect. After the same moxibustions on each ract for 1, 5, and 10 days, 1 compared the effect of moxibustion terms. The group of 5 days moxibustion had a more significant effect. These results say that the treatment effect of moxibustion can be varied by the choice of points, and the size, the time, and the number of moxibustions can bring out different effects. I think that the proper size, the proper time, and the proper number of moxibustions can be more effective than the excessive moxibustions.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acupoint and meridian muscle massage given by automatic massage chair. Methods : We recruited 30 patients with back pain who met inclusion criteria. Two weeks were given as a waiting period, and the massage intervention was applied 12 times for 4 weeks. The programmed automatic massage chair was used to provide effective stimulus on acupoints and meridians for 20 minutes. We used Visual analog scale(VAS) and Korean Oswestry Disability Index(KODI) to quantify pain and function. We also recorded patients' all of vital signs and abnormal reactions during the trial to asses to assess safety. Results : Two participants dropped out due to personal reasons and 28 participants completed the clinical trial. We found that the degree of back pain (VAS, KODI) decreased significantly after the trial. As a result, VAS score decreased from $6.44{\pm}0.85$(Visit 2) to $4.59{\pm}1.52$ (Visit 14)(p<0.001), and KODI score was also reduced from $14.79{\pm}5.13$(Visit 14) to $9.04{\pm}4.52$ (Visit 2) (p<0.001). Also, we did not find any adverse effects in this study. Conclusions : We found that the acupoint and meridian muscle massage can effectively decrease back pain. This proves that the massage program designed by Korean medicine can be a good option to patients with back pain. However, further study with controlled design is still needed to verify its effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.178-184
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• 2013

Objectives : The warm needling technique is the method combining the effects of acupuncture needle with those of moxibustion. We need to standardize the characteristics of the warm needling technique, in order to get more systematic and objective results in operation and effects and then get more clinical abilities in these fields. Methods : In this study, using labview system on the warm needling technique, we measured and compared partial temperature changes according to the kind of needle. We studied relations of moxa cones of various sizes with the peak combustion temperature. Results and Conclusions: When we measured the warm needling's partial temperature, temperature measured at 1 and 2 cm below the head, according to the kind of needle, gold needle got the higher result on the peak than SS304 stainless steel needle. In the case of combustion of the moxa cones, cones weighing 0.4 g and 0.8 g, respectively, and the apex ignition method with gold needle showed the higher result than the apex ignition method with stainless steel needle, when we measured the effective stimulus time at 2 cm below the head and the mean temperature during the effective stimulus time. Although more research to standardize the characteristics of the warm needling technique will be needed, we suggest, according to these results, that warm needling of gold needle combined with moxa cone of 0.4 or 0.8 g is effective.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TE
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.34-43
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• 2002

In this paper, with the reference of the pulse wave acquired by the pulse-checking device, it is measured the impedance on the key measuring points of the 12 kyungmaks of the human body's left and right by using 24-channels Yangdorak machine. Then, based on the Fuzzy theory, this study diagnosed the each meridian's strength and weakness. After that, both the strengthening and weakening stimulus of magnetic fields are applied to the dominant direction to find out how the degree of strength and weakness of the meridian changed. Ultimately, the magnetic therapy that can stimulate the magnetic field at the time of diagnosis and thereby balancing the interactive of five-system(O-hang) have been materialized. For the stimulation of magnetic fields, a stimulating device which can change the direction and time on a specific part of the key measuring points of the limbs of 24 kyungmaks have been developed and used. The therapeutic methods are as follows. First, the strength and weakness of the meridian have been determined. Second, both the extremely weak meridian of Yin(Shade) and Yang(Shine), and the extremely strong meridian of Yin and Yang were adjusted by applying appropriate ascending and descending stimuli respectively. All these adjusting processes can now be carried out automatically on a personal computer(PC).