• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.118-126
• /
• 2024

A stroke is a condition where an ischemic injury occurs in the brain tissue due to blockage or rupture of cerebral blood vessels. The damage to the brain nerve cells caused by a stroke is irreversible. Significant recovery is generally observed within the first six months after the onset, but the natural recovery rate decreases after six months. Therefore, intensive rehabilitation therapy is necessary within the first six months of the onset. This case report presents three cases of patients in the sequelae phase of stroke, where treatments based on integrative medicine system between traditional Korean medicine and Western medicine were applied. The treatments included scalp acupuncture from traditional Korean medicine and rehabilitation exercises and electrical therapy from Western medicine. In this case report, we evaluated the Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and the patients' subjective symptom interviews before and after the implementation of the integrative treatment. As a result, significant improvements in MMT and MBI were observed in acute stroke cases, whereas the improvement was minimal in cases with chronic progression. However, in all cases, the patients expressed high satisfaction with the treatment during the interviews.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2000

Ge-Fu(歌賦) means prose and poetry individually, and they both have a meaning of all the rhythmical poetrical compositions making it ease for people to remember the content. All the Ge-Fus used in oriental medicine are made in Yuan(元), Mine(明)and Qing(靑)dynasty, and they have been largely used in most of all the fields of medicine such as Ben-Cao(本草), Tang-Ye(湯液), Zhen-Jiu(鍼灸), Zhen-Duan(診斷). Zhen-Jiu-Ge-Fu(鍼灸歌賦) has about 90 poetries and 10 proses and they contain the names of meridian; courses of meridian streams; accurate positions of acupuncture points; functions; effects; meanings of the name of acupuncture points; usages and effects of special points; manipulations of reinforcing and reducing method; contraindications of acupuncturing; principles of selections and orders of acupuncture points in therapy; and eight diadgoses. Zhen-Jiu-Ge-Fu is subdivided into Jing-Xue(經穴歌), Zhi-Jiu-Ge(刺灸歌), Shu-Xue-Ge(輸穴歌), Zhi-Liao-Ge(治療歌). And In Zhi-Liao-Ge, the most brief and essential Ge-Fu-Si-Zong-Sue-Ge- contains theraputic designs using far apart acpuncture points from the right painful areas in the body. In this study, the author opinionated the Si-Zong-Sue-Ge can be the prototype of the distant needling; the research on this can open the importance of Ge-Fus. On conclusion, 1. "Upper and lower Abdomen - Zu-San-Li($S_{36}$) (肚腹三里留)" means when there are problems and disorders in upper and lower abdomen, distinctively, such as gastric pain, maldigestion, flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, menstrual disorer, knee pain and tonic functioning, 족삼리 can be a right choice for distant needling point for treating. 2. "Face and Eye-He-Gu($Li_4$) (面目合谷收)" means when there are problems and disorders in facial, eye, ear, nose, throat, mouth regions, distinctively, such as facial edema, toothache, headache, sore throat, rhinorrhea, frontal headache, abdominal pain, dizziness, He-Gu can be a right choice for distant needling point for treating. 3. "Upper and lower back - Wei-Zhong($B_{40}$) (腰背委中求)" means when there are problems and disorders in upper and lower back, distinctively, such as upper back pain, lumbargo, hamstring muscle pain, popliteal region pain, lower extremity compartment syndrom, Inguinal region pain, muscle twitch, vomiting and diarrhea, hemorrhoidal bleeding, skin rash, Wei-Zhong can be a right choice for distant needling point for treating. 4. "Head and neck - Lie-Que($L_7$) (頭項審列缺)" means when there are problems and disorders in capital and nuchal area, distinctively, such as migraine, frontal headache, rhinorrhea, asthmatic dyspnea, aphasia, coughing, neck stiffness, occipital headache, upper extremity pain, Lie-Que can be a right choice for distant needling point for treating.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.101-109
• /
• 2024

Objectives : Cervical myofascial pain syndrome (C-MPS), a key aspect of Visual Display Terminals (VDT) Syndrome, leads to acute and chronic pain due to muscle shortening, potentially causing headaches and movement disorders. This study examines the effectiveness of Pharmacoacupuncture at the intersection of the Splenius Capitis (SC), Levator Scapulae (LS), and Serratus Posterior Superior(SPS) muscles under ultrasound guidance, known as the "SLS triangle" in treating C-MPS. Methods : Three patients (aged 30 to 37) with acute C-MPS presented at two Korean medicine clinics with severe neck pain and restricted cervical rotation. The evaluation of symptoms before treatment, immediately after treatment, and one day after treatment was conducted using the cervical rotation Range of motion (ROM) and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for cervical pain. Treatments included Acupuncture, Cupping therapy, Chuna manipulation, Physical Therapy, and Pharmacopuncture (Jaha-geo extract, 2cc at the SLS triangle). Results : All three patients showed significant improvement post-treatment. Immediately after treatment, Patient 1's NRS improved from 7 to 2, Patient 2's NRS improved from 4 to 1, and Patient 3's NRS improved from 6 to 2. Directly after the procedure, there were no significant adverse reactions except for one patient experiencing temporary dizziness. When the patients were followed up by phone 24 hours later, no adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture can significantly reduce pain and improve cervical rotation in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome. The findings suggest this non-invasive treatment is both safe and effective, warranting further research through larger-scale clinical trials to validate its efficacy and establish standardized protocols.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.13-23
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to develop the combined medical stimulus system consisted of the PEMFs (Pulsed electromagnetic fields) and LED which are able to stimulate local point such as acupoints and trigger points. Methods : To evaluate the therapeutic effect on the musculoskeletal disorders and the possibility of alternative method on manual acupuncture, we compared the fatigue recovery of two groups by analyzing the EMG and peak torque (non-stimulation and, stimulation group) after strenuous knee exercise. We chose the LR9 as a stimulation point. Results : The median frequency (MF) and fatigue index (F.I) of the stimulation group were recovered faster than those of the non-stimulation group. Also the peak torques of both groups were not restored until after 20 minutes. However, the peak torque of the stimulation group was regained higher than that of the non-stimulation group. Conclusions : We confirmed that the proposed combined stimulus system had useful effects as treatment instrument of musculoskeletal disorder using non-invasive method of PEMFs and LED.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.5-13
• /
• 2010

Objectives : Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc is common reason causing back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercise prevent back pain recurrence by strengthening lumbar muscles. Sling Exercise Therapy(SET) is a system for spinal muscle stabilization and strengthening using fixed string and mobile band. The purpose of this study is to investigate and measure the effectiveness of SET and oriental medicine for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods : The subjects for this study are 40 patients suffering from Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc in our clinic. They were measured and compared by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), 4 grades of recovery degree and sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type, times of exercise. Results : In the above index, the score(VAS, 4 grades of recovery degree) improved after treatments. But they make no difference between sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type and times of exercise. Conclusions : These results suggest that SET may be used for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc for pain management and muscle strengthening as an essential treatment regardless of sex, age, period of disease and disc herniation type.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.127-140
• /
• 2008

Objectives : This report intended to estimate effects of Jung-an acupuncture on the acquired torticollis caused by muscle contraction. Methods : The patients were treated by Jung-an acupuncture, herb medication and Physical treatment daily. The improvement of the patients was judged by Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale(TWSTRS), Tsui's score and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). Results : After 7 days of treatment, the 2 patients' neck pain and cervical movement were improved. Also, TWSTRS score, Tsui's score and VAS were all reduced. Conclusions : As the Jung-an acupuncture's theological base is organized with meridian theory and myofacial release therapy, We considered the Jung-an acupuncture is effective not only for the skin disease but also for the muscle problem such as torticollis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.90-100
• /
• 2024

Objectives : This study examined the historical evolution of the GV26 acupuncture point, focusing on its location, therapeutic indications, and anatomical relevance to the philtrum region. Methods : We reviewed 18 historical acupuncture texts, analyzing the descriptions of GV26's location and associated indications. Results : The location of GV26 has varied over time. Early texts like the A-B Classics of Acupuncture and Moxibustion described it at the center of the philtrum groove, while some 16th-century texts shifted it closer to the nasal cavity. However, many sources continued to emphasize the central philtrum groove as the correct location. GV26 was historically indicated for conditions such as cold-type headache, epilepsy, edema, nasal and eye symptoms, respiratory issues, post-stroke symptoms, jaundice, pestilence, mouth-related symptoms, and low back pain. Epilepsy, edema, and post-stroke facial symptoms were consistently cited across texts, while other indications varied. Cadaveric studies show that the superficial orbicularis oris muscle divides into the upper nasalis and lower labialis portions. Needling the upper third of the philtrum stimulates the thinner, closer-to-maxilla upper nasalis portion, potentially providing stronger stimulation, while needling the center targets the lower labialis portion. Conclusions : Historical variations in GV26's location reflect an evolving understanding of its anatomical and therapeutic significance. The upper third of the philtrum groove may be more effective for acute conditions requiring strong stimulation, whereas the central groove may better address a broader range of conditions. These findings highlight the importance of historical and anatomical context in optimizing GV26's clinical use.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.117-122
• /
• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of hysterectomy on Low Back Pain(LBP) and to describe it through Oriental Medicine theory. Methods : Research was conducted by history taking of 1849 female LBP patients who visited Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital. Investigation was focused on the number of patients who underwent hysterectomy, and the length of time developing LBP after the surgery. Results : 178 patients(9.6%) underwent hysterectomy among 1849 patients, and it was higher than general rate of hysterectomy. In Oriental medicine, this result can be explained that it is caused by the lack of water function of spleen(腎水) from the absence of uterus, consequently it makes muscle weak and does harm to Blood and Meridian. Conclusions : History of hysterectomy has a significant influence on the development of LBP.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.147-156
• /
• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the cause, symptom, treatment of OPLL through Western medicine and Dong-Eui-Bo-Kham(東醫寶鑑) Results & conclusins 1. Ossification of the posterior hgament(OPLL) have radiculopathy, myelopathy or both of them such as neck pain, numbness, myatonia 2. Neck pain of OPLL seems to be simular with pain in the neck(頸項痛), neck stiffness(項强), stiffness and pain of head and neck(頭項彈痛). The causes were usually Dampness and Cold, Wind. The treatments were classified according to pathoigenic factor(病因) and muscle along the regular meridian(經筋) 3. Radiculopathy of OPLL seems to be similar with numbness(痺證). The causes were usually, pathogenic Wind, Cold, Dampness. The treatments were classified according to diagnosis of three kinds of BI syndrome(三痺), five kind of Bi synrome(五痺), five jang Bi(五臟痺), six Bu Bi(六腑痺) 4. Myelopathy of OPLL seems to be simular with myatonia(痿證) The cause of myatoma was Lung scorched by Heat(肺熱葉無). And the treatment was purping the south and reinforcing the north(寫南方 補北方). We considered that more study to find various and effective methods oriental medicine for OPLL should be made.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.190-199
• /
• 2000

We had studied the relationship between the difference of average temperature of Meridian points of left and right face taken by DITI on 1st hospital day and the improvement degree of facial mucles on the patients of Bell's palsy after 10 days treatment. The clinical data and thermographic imaging were analyzed on the 42 cases of Bell's palsy who were treated in the Chunju Oriental Medicine Hospital of Wonkwang University from May to November 1999, and we selected 29 cases within 10 day-onset and the following results were obtained. 1. Assuming the difference of the muscle scores' sums very attending day from after 10 days treatment is improvement degree, and presuming the improvement degree is y, and the mean difference of average temperature between normal and abnormal facial side is x, we can infer the equation of the first degree as following [ y = 2.62 + 2.16 x ]. 2. This means that the higher temperature of nerve falsy side than normal side, the better consequence of treatment we can obtain.