• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2019

Background: Several nerve blocks can reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) as well as relieve acute zoster-related pain, but the long-term outcome of PHN has not been clearly determined. This study investigated the efficacy of selective nerve root block (SNRB) for herpes zoster (HZ) on the long-term outcome of PHN. Methods: We prospectively conducted an interview of patients who had undergone an SNRB for HZ from January 2006 to December 2016 to evaluate their long-term PHN status. The relationship between the time from HZ onset to the first SNRB and the long-term outcome of PHN was investigated. Results: The data of 67 patients were collected. The patients were allocated to acute ($SNRB{\leq}14days$, n = 16) or subacute (SNRB > 14 days, n = 51) groups. The proportions of cured patients were 62.5% and 25.5% in the acute and subacute groups (P = 0.007), respectively. In logistic regression, an SNRB >14 days was the significant predictor of PHN (adjusted odd ratio, 3.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-14.93; P = 0.047). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that time from the SNRB to the cure of PHN was significantly shorter in the acute group ($2.4{\pm}0.7yr$) than in the subacute group ($5.0{\pm}0.4yr$; P = 0.003). Conclusions: An early SNRB during the acute stage of HZ (within 14 days) appears to decrease the incidence and shorten the duration of PHN, with a median of 5.0 years of follow-up.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2005

This report describes a case of spinal nerve root compression due to an acute inflammatory granuloma after lumbar surgery. A 39 year-old man with a history of increasing back pain with a 3-week duration was diagnosed with a herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD). The diagnosis of a HIVD was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with indications for surgery. A discectomy and a partial laminectomy was performed and the symptoms were alleviated immediately after surgery for a five-day period. However, a slowly progressing pain was subsequently noted along a different dermatome. There was no pain relief despite the patient being given pharmacological treatments, combined with an epidural steroid injection. The follow up MRI images showed severe compression of the nerve roots by a epidural lesion. Another procedure was performed 17 days after the initial operation. The lesion responsible for the compression of the nerve roots was found to be an acute inflammatory granuloma. The pain was relieved after the second procedure and there were no other symptoms or neurological problems. This case is remarkable in that a granuloma formed relatively quickly and grew to such a size that it was able to severely compress the surrounding nerve roots.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1496-1505
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• 2014

Background: this study examined the Chiropractic therpy's influences on range of motions and pains with patients who have neck pain. Methods: In an experimental study with a two-group(chronic neck pain vs acute neck pain) design, 16 participants were enrolled for 2 weeks, 4 times, from march to april, 2013, with 8 acute neck pain patients and 8 chronic neck pain patients in chiropractic threrapy. Results: after the chiropractic threrapy, range of motions improved and pains were reduced significantly in both acute and chronic neck pain patients(P<.05). Conclusion: the chiropractic threrapy was effective in improving range of motions and reducing pains in persons who have acute and chronic neck pain. Thus, the chiropractic threrapy could be a resource for continuing study and adaptations to enhance the quality of life and well-being of neck pain patients.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.177-187
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• 2005

Objective : This study is designed in order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Scalp Acupuncture and Do-ma Acupuncture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) on acute low back pain Methods : We investigated 10 patients suffering from acute low back pain were treated from Mach. 1st 2005 to Jun. 30th 2005. 10 patients, were diagnosed only straightened curvature on lateral view of lumbar spine X-ray and get Scalp acupunture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) and Do-ma acupuncture. Pain rating score(PRS) was used to assess the pain for its intensity, frequency, duration, and aggravating factors. And visual analog scale(VAS) was used, too. Results : Both Scalp acupunture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) and Do-ma acupuncture therapy showed good effect on acute low back pain. It was proved by the difference between PRS and VAS checked before treatment and what checked after treatment. In the evaluation of treatment effect, Exellent was 2(20%), Good was 5(50%), Moderate was 3(30%), Poor was 0(0%). Conclusion : The therapeutic effect of Scalp Acupuncture and Do-ma Acupuncture on acute low back pain can be recommended as a useful therapy to treat acute low back pain.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.25-38
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• 2002

Spiral taping shows great effectiveness in relieving musculoskeletal pains. The purpose of this research is to compare effectiveness of herbal acupuncture of Carthami semen(Honghwa) vs its cotreatment with spiral taping for the treatment of acute low back pain. The target patients were those who satisfied with all of the following conditions. 1. Those who suffered from acute low back pain but without past history of the pain in the last six weeks. 2. The pain wasn't radiated to the lower limbs and were without any neurotic symptoms. A computerized randomization was used to set the patients in two groups. The control group was consisted of 41 patients and treated with herbal acupuncture. The experimental group was consisted of 49 patients and treated with spiral taping as well as herbal acupuncture. The treatment was given two times a week and the nurses measured the ROM and VAS evaluation before every treatment. The patients wrote ODI by themselves before the first treatment and after the 3rd treatment. After three months, an interview of the patients' condition through a follow up survey was done. In terms of acute low back pain in both the control group and experimental group, significant treatment effects were found by assessing VAS, ROM and ODI. By comparing the control group and the experimental group, there was more significant improvement in the experimental group than the control group of VAS and ROM, but no significant effect was found between the groups of ODI. This study shows that the herbal acupuncture of Carthami Semen plays a significant role in relieving acute low back pain. It also shows that spiral taping of the experimental group was more highly effective. As a result, spiral taping can be used with acupunture of Carthami Semen for a highly effective treatment for acute low back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2014

Background: To improve residual pain management in acute cervical radiculopathy treated with NSAIDs, the feasibility of early and repeated low-dose interscalene brachial plexus block (IS-BPB) needs to be assessed. Methods: This was a prospective study on patients receiving NSAIDs (loxoprofen) for cervical radiculopathy of ${\leq}2$-week onset. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). A low-dose ultrasonography (USG)-guided IS-BPB (dexamethasone [1.65 mg; 0.5 ml] and mepivacaine [1%; 3.0 ml]) was performed at baseline and weekly thereafter for 4 weeks in an outpatient setting for the intervention group. All patients were evaluated using a visual satisfaction score (VSS) at week 4. Patients with baseline VAS scores < 70 (mild to moderate pain; MM group) and ${\geq}70$ (severe pain; SE group) were compared to the controls receiving NSAIDs. Results: A total of 316 IS-BPBs were performed in the intervention group. There was a significant difference in the decline in the VAS from week 0 to week 3 in the MM and SE groups (P < 0.05); however, from week 3 to week 4, the therapeutic effect exhibited no significant difference. Thirteen patients at week 2 (15.5%; MM: 27.7%; SE: 0%), 43 at week 3 (51.2%; MM: 83.0%; SE: 10.8%), and 47 at week 4 (56.0%; MM: 85.1%; SE: 18.9%) achieved a VAS score of ${\leq}20$. Patient satisfaction was high, and the decrease in VAS scores in both groups was significant (P < 0.05) compared to the controls. Conclusions: Weekly, low-dose, USG-guided IS-BPB can be implemented for early pain relief in acute cervical radiculopathy, with high patient satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to identify pain, disability, anxiety, depression and educational needs between acute and chronic low back pain groups. Methods: A total of 153 patients aged 18 to 64, recruited from S-neurosurgical clinic for low back pain in Gyeonggi-do. Out of 153 subjects, 70 were Acute Low Back Pain (ALBP) group and 83 were Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) group. The collected data was analyzed using the SAS System V 9.4 program by chi-square test/Fisher's exact test and t-test. Results: The pain and disability scores were higher in ALBP group while the depression score was higher in CLBP group. The educational needs score in the area for the time for lumbar operation was higher in CLBP group. In the Low Back Pain (LBP) treatment management, ALBP group visited clinic (60.0%) most frequently and CLBP group visited both clinic & traditional medicine (66.3%) regularly. Conclusion: In order to minimize the progression from acute to chronic LBP, it is necessary for patients who visited the clinic to be accompanied with an education program that reflects educational needs of patients and with proven alternative therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to emphasize the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis of acute abdominal pain with simple radiography by reporting a case of gastrointestinal perforation. Methods: We closely observed the diagnosis and progress of acute abdominal pain after biliary stent and reviewed the outline of gastrointestinal perforation. Results: Patient diagnosed with urethral cancer metastasis to lung and peritoneum was treated with complex Korean medicinal treatments to deal with anorexia, abdominal pain, jaundice and oliguria. During hospitalization, the patient's acute abdominal pain after biliary stent was diagnosed with gastrointestinal perforation by using plain chest and abdominal radiography. Conclusion: Using simple radiography to find out the emergency diseases such as perforation in acute abdominal pain is important clinically.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2020

Objectives : Acute low back pain syndrome causes pain and poor quality of life. There are various studies of SBV (Sweet bee venom) pharmacopuncture, but few have identified the therapeutic effects for patients unable to walk due to acute back pain. This case series report three cases of acute low back pain syndrome treated with SBV pharmacopuncture combined with Korean Medicine (KM) treatments. Methods : Three acute low back pain syndrome patients with no other acute abnormalities in the imaging were treated by KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine and physical therapy. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using Numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 dimension index (EQ-5D) and EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Results : Patients who were unable to walk due to acute back pain were able to walk. There were significant improvements of NRS, ODI, EQ-5D and EQ-VAS after treatment. The patients experienced an average 90% decrease in low back pain after inpatient KM treatment for about 8 days. NRS decreased by an average of 78.9%, ODI decreased by an average of 49.4%, and EQ-VAS increased by an average of 92.6%. In the case 1, EQ-5D decreased in all categories, but in the case 2, it decreased in all categories except for pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, but in the case 3, it decreased in all categories except anxiety/depression. There was no serious side effect after treatment of SBV pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture may be effective for acute low back pain syndrome patients. However, randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to confirm the clinical effects of these interventions.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 1995

Pain is a complex symptom consisting of a sensation underlying potenial disease and associated emotional state. Acute pain is a reflex biological response to injury, in contrast, chronic pain consists of pain of a mininum of 6 months duration and associates with physical, emotional past experience, economic resources of the patient, family and society. Moreover, chronic pain is characterized by physiological affective and behavioral responses that are quite different than those of acute pain. The different type of stimuli exciting pain receptor are mechanical, thermal and chemical stimli and chronic pain are concerned with three of all stimli. The major three components of pain central(Analgesia) system in the brain and spinal cord are 'periaqueductal gray area of the mesencephalon', 'the raphe magnus nucleus' and 'pain inhibitory complex located in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord'. But unfortunately, the central biochemical mechanisms of chronic pain are not clearly defined. To proper management of chronic pain, comprehensive urderstanding as a psychosomatic aspect and multidisciplinary therapeuti-team approach must be emphasized.