• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.383-390
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is the evaluation of the degree of post injection soreness, symptom duration, factor and autonomic symptoms after trigger point injection in patients with trigger points. We devided the subjects of the study into four groups Such as, only dry needling, needle-TENS, with massage-stretch, massage-stretch only, including 100 patients, and measured the visual analog scale before treatment and after treatment. Before treatment, The VAS mean scores were $6.2{\pm}1.03$ in needle-TENS with massage-stretch group ; $6.2{\pm}1.75$ in needdle-TENS group, and $6.3{\pm}1.85$ in dry needling group, and $6.8{\pm}1.03$ in massage-stretch group. In post injection 3rd day, The VAS mean score were $0.9{\pm}1.78$ in needling-TENS with massage-stretch group, $1.1{\pm}1.52$ in needling-TENS group, $1.7{\pm}1.10$ in dry needling group, and $3.9{\pm}3.01$ in massage-stretch group. As for a causative factor of activities for trigger were overload with 37.0%, overwork with 35.0% and fatigue with 13.0%. Symptoms for trigger were tenderness with 28.0%, numbness and tingling with 24.0%. ROM limit with 17.0% and tightness with 17.0%. As a result, needling-TENS with massage-stretch group showed less soreness and effect than other group.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.94-98
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• 2009

Acupuncture is a treatment method that originated more than 3,000 years ago in China and is practiced in most of the world. Acupuncture became the most popular complementary and alternative medicine modality. Ultrasound is useful for research and educational purposes, visualizing needle insertion at acupuncture points, especially next to vulnerable structures such as nerves or the pleura. Additionally, ultrasound is an ideal imaging method for evaluation the biomechanical effects of needle manipulation on tissue and has the distinctive advantage of yielding both images of tissue morphology and biomechanical information. Elastography take aim at quantifying a mechanical response or the mechanical property of tissues from a mechanical stimulus, generated internally or externally. Therefore, the combination of ultrasound and elastography analyses allows quantitative assessment of dynamic changes in the structure of human connective tissue.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2015

Objectives : The present study was conducted to unveil the existence of a medical technique called Chicken-foot-shaped needling method("Gaejokchimbup") from the mid-Chosen Dynasty era and for historical investigation of this technique. Methods : Among historical literatures from China, Korea, and Japan on acupuncture and moxibustion, mentions of "Gaejok"(chicken foot) were searched for and studied. Results : Among the Chinese literatures, some medical scholars made references to "chicken foot" after mentioned in Lingshu Jing. In the Korean literatures, Donguibogam gave it the name Gaejokchimbup and mentioned it. In Japan's Chimgugeukbeecho which contains the acupuncture and moxibustion knowledge of Korean doctors, the procedural method was explained in detail. Conclusions : According to these ancient medical literatures, Gaejok was used largely in two meanings. First meaning was performing acupuncture with 3~4 needles in a chicken foot-like shape on a narrow area, whereas the second meaning was using one acupuncture needle and repeatedly inserting the needle while changing directions according to a path in the shape of a chicken's foot. Based on Rumenshiqin and Chimgugeukbeecho, which contain records of actual clinical experiences, Gaejokchimbup appears to have been used as the second method mention above.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.436-441
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• 2007

Background: As patients are positioned at insulated bed and practitioner are positioned at insulated floor or shoes, it could be a cause of lessening effect in acupuncture practice. We investigated how Ground connection could influence on the electrical meridian potential between practitioner and patient during acupuncture practice. Method: We treated 30 normal healthy subjects with acupuncture and measured changes in the electrical potential between the stomach meridian points ST-39 and ST-37 in response to light touch after insertion of a needle at ST-36. At first, we stimulated needle and measured electrical potentials for non ground, patient ground only, practitioner ground only, all ground, respectively. Result: All ground subject elicited positive mean potential $44.6{\pm}19.2{\mu}V$ and showed $181.4{\pm}59.7{\mu}V$ peak to peak potential. practitioner ground only showed negative mean potential $-51.5{\pm}9.3{\mu}V\;and\;367.4{\pm}27.8{\mu}V$ of peak to peak potential. Patient ground only revealed no mean potential as $2.9{\pm}1.3{\mu}V,\;16.4{\pm}11.9{\mu}V$ of peak to peak potential. All ground showed no mean potential as $1.6{\pm}0.7{\mu}V,\;3.3{\pm}1.9{\mu}V$ of peak to peak potential. respectively.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.718-722
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• 2014

The cerebellum is known to control balance, equilibrium, and muscle tone. If the cerebellum becomes damaged, the body is unable to retain its balancing functions or involuntary muscle movement. This is why, in stroke patients, there is a high risk of functional disability, as well as a myriad of other disabilities secondary to stroke. Ischemia was induced in SD mice by occluding the common carotid artery for 5 minutes, after which blood was reperfused. Needle electrode electrical stimulation(NEES) was applied to acupuncture points, at 12, 24, and 48 hours post-ischemia on the joksamri. Protein expression was investigated through caspase-3 antibody immuno-reactive cells in the cerebral nerve cells and Western blotting. The results were as follows: The number of caspase-3 reactive cells in the corpus cerebellum 12 and 24 hours post-ischemia was significantly (p<.05) smaller in the NEES group compared to the GI group. caspase-3 expression 12 and 24 hours post-ischemia was significantly(p<.05) smaller in the NEES group compared to the GI group. Based on these results, NEES seems to have a significant effect on Caspase-3 in the cerebellum in an ischemic state at 12 and 24 hours post ischemia, NEES delays the occurrence of early stage apoptosis-inducing Caspase-3, delaying and inhibiting apoptosis. Further systematic studies will have to be conducted in relation to the application of this study's results on stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.429-434
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• 2012

Ischemia, the leading cause of strokes, is known to be deeply related to synaptic plasticity and apoptosis in tissue damage due to ischemic conditions or trauma. The purpose of this study was to research the effects of NEES(needle electrode electrical stimulation) in brain cells of ischemia-induced rat, more specifically the effects of Poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase(PARP) on the corpus striatum. Ischemia was induced in SD mice by occluding the common carotid artery for 5 minutes, after which blood was re-perfused. NEES was applied to acupuncture points, at 12, 24, and 48 hours post-ischemia on the joksamri, and at 24 hours post-ischemia on the hapgok. Protein expression was investigated through PARP antibody immuno-reactive cells in the cerebral nerve cells and western blotting. The number of PARP reactive cells in the corpus striatum 24 hours post-ischemia was significantly(p<.05) smaller in the NEES group compared to the global ischemia(GI) group. PARP expression 24 hours post-ischemia was very significantly smaller in the NEES group compared to the GI group. Results show that ischemia increases PARP expression and stimulates necrosis, making it a leading cause of death of nerve cells. NEES can decrease protein expression related to cell death, protecting neurons and preventing neuronal apoptosis.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.83-96
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the trends of acupuncture treatment on lateral epicondylitis. Methods : We investigated the recent clinical studies of acupuncture treatment for lateral epicondylitis via searching PubMed from 2007.1.1. to 2016.1.1. This study examined published years, the authors, journals, countries, types of study and classified articles by techniques of acupuncture. Results : 20 theses out of 38 were included, excluding papers duplicated or whose texts are not identified or not satisfying both acupuncture and lateral epicondylitis simultaneously. The theses were constantly published every year. Analyzed by journal, the most published journal was Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. The studies of China had the greatest number of the searched theses. The types of study were reviews, case series, and study protocol. The acupuncture technique used were Hwachim(burning acupuncture therapy), sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture, percutaneous needle electrolysis, electroacupuncture, small needle-knife, combination with local points and Tianzong(SI11), and anti-ashi-point. Conclusions : In order to develop acupuncture treatment of lateral epicondylitis, clinical studies on high level with objective evaluation scale are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.77-93
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• 2008

Objectives : Though there were many clinical studies of acupuncture effects they didn't have appropriate control group or use another therapy for control group. So, we didn't say it was true acupuncture effect, though subjects in clinical study improved. Recently several sham needles for control group were developed and validated. This study aimed at summarizing the validation studies of these needles and evaluating the control group of the acupuncture clinical study. Methods : Computerized literature searches were performed using 'acupuncture' and 'placebo or sham' with a limitation of the results to RCTs in Pubmed, Sciencedirect, NDSL, KISS, RISS. Data were extracted regarding study design, sample size, acupuncture point, stimulation form, credibility testing. And We have examined 106 acupuncture clinical studies published by Pubmed from January 1, 2005 to April 30, 2008. Data were extracted author's country, subject of study, type of study groups, type of control groups, type of blinding, difference between the results in the control groups. Results : Streitberger's placebo needle, Fink's sham needle, Park sham needle, Kim sham needle were developed. They were validated at domestic and abroad. But the results were deviation depending on the each of the researcher. They has shown that sample, acupuncture points, experiences or knowledge of acupuncture dependent on the results. Recent three years, acupuncture clinical trial had different results. Significant differences between Study group and control group emerged from using other therapy or non-treatment for control group. Many study has no significant differences using sham acupuncture for control groups. Conclusions : Acupuncture clinical studies need to meet several requirements. First of all, they require the basics of randomized controlled clinical studies such as blinding and the accurate implementation and description of randomization. And also need to research the unique circumstances of these studies such as the development of sham acupuncture and blinding method which differs from other clinical trials.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.245-272
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• 1995

The meridians are energy pathways found in the interior organs of the body leading the bio-electrical energy the periphery of the body for its energetic supply and the meridians connect the individual acupuncture points. The acupucture points in turn serve for the interference with the bio-electric energy, thus made it measurable. It has been developed to a stage where one could stimulate the acupuncture-points in order to achieve organ effects in the body. To the contrast, Dr.Niboyet proved that the human skin contains points varing in their electrical roperties as to their surroundings. He also tried to send direct current through the skin taken from the body and derive it at other places of the skin characterized by the above mentioned meridians and acupuncture points. The body produces a potential in the organs to reach the acupuncture point via the meridians. The charge on the individual acupuncture point caused by the exactly difinable current of our mesurement device, creates a state of blance between the irritational potential, both of whcih are which are opposite to each other. The body processes the irritational current in the acupuncture point. Voll and Werner, as early as 1953, developed an instruments for applying electro-acupuncture on the skin without needle picks and the teaching from part of modern medicine after developing over recent years. Electro-acupucture is a comprechensive fterm for all procedures based on mesurements or thrapy derived from Oriental acupuncture, using modern electronics. As a result, I found the phenomena of the meridian during the disease. And It seems to be closely related between the meriduan and the disease. I think it must be researched profoundly and for the long time.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Objectives : Sypsun-points are located at the tips of all fingers, 0.1 chon(寸) from the finger nails, totaling 10 points on both hands. These points have been used for emergency care, fainting, epilepsy, cerebrovascular accidents, hypertension, unconsciousness, high fever etc. in oriental medicine. The most common technique is bleeding with a needle at these points. We investigated whether Venesection at the Sybsun-points has effects on blood pressure and body temperature and pulse rate in humans aged from 20 to 30 who had no specific past history and whose vital signs are in normal range. Methods : 67 persons were studied from March to June 2008. They were composed of Sample group(n=36) and Normal group(n=31). Both two groups kept a steady state an hour before venesection. In both group, we checked blood pressure and body temperature and pulse rates 6 times( 30min. before and just before treatment, and just after, 30, 60, 90min after treatment). All study environments were same between sample and normal group. But only, normal group didn't carry out venesection at the Sybsun-points. Results : In a comparison of before and after venesection at the Sybsun-points, any Statistical significance was not evaluated. Though pulse rate in sample group was significantly decreased after venesection(p<0.05), it has no statistical significance because normal group's pulse rate was also significantly decreased and between two groups had no statistical difference. Conclusions : Though further study is needed, our findings suggest that venesection at the Sybsun-points has no significant effect on blood pressure and body temperature, and pulse rate in humans who had no specific past history and whose vital signs are in normal range. Also in that case, we may know that pain and tension result from venesection at the Sybsun-points have no significant effect on blood pressure and body temperature and pulse rate.