• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 1981

Experiments were conducted in ischemic decerebrate cats to study the effects of electroacupuncture and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve on pain reaction. Flexion reflex was used as an index of pain. The reflex was elicited by stimulating the sural nerve(20 V, 0.5 msec duration) and recorded as a compound action potential from the nerve innervated to the semitendinosus muscle. Electroacupuncture was performed, using a 23-gauge hyperdermic needle, on the tsusanli point in the lateral upper tibia of the ipsilateral hindlimb. The common peroneal nerve was selected as a peripheral nerve which may be associated with electroacupuncture action, as it runs through the tissue portion under the tsusanli point. Both for electroacupuncture and the stimulation of common peroneal nerve a stimulus of 20 V-intensity, 2 msec-duration and 2 Hz-frequency was applied for 60 min. The results are summerized as follows: 1) The electroacupuncture markedly depressed the flexion reflex; this effect was eliminated by systemic application of naloxone $(0.02{\sim}0.12\;mg/kg)$, a specific narcotic antagonist. 2) Similarly, the electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve significantly depressed the flexion reflex, the effect being reversed by naloxone. 3) When most of the afferent nerves excluding sural nerve in the ipsilateral hindlimb were cut, the effect of electroacupuncture on the flexion reflex was not observed. Whereas direct stimulation of the common peroneal nerve at the proximal end from the cut resulted in a significant reduction of the flexion reflex, again the effect was reversible by naloxone application. 4) Transection of the spinal cord at the thoracic 12 did not eliminate the effect of peripheral nerve stimulation on the flexion reflex and its reversal by naloxone, although the effect was significantly less than that in the animal with spinal cord intact. These results suggest that: 1) the analgesic effect of an electroacupuncture is directly mediated by the nervous system and involves morphine-like substances in CNS, 2) the site of analgesic action of electroacupuncture resides mainly in the brainstem and in part in the spinal cord.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.210-214
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• 1996

Thoracic sympathetic ganglion block(TSGB) with alcohol is a traditional method for treating a variety of disease at pain clinics. But it is a difficult block to perform requiring both skill and experience. Therefore, we performed a thoracic endoscopic cauterization to evaluate the efficacy of this method. A patient suffering sever forearm and hand pain due to radius fracture of the right arm, one and half years earlier, was referred to several different orthopaedic department of various hospitals with continued aggravated symptoms. He was then admitted to our hospital's orthopaedic department. Our diagnosis, confirmed by thermography, revealed reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Patients was therefore referred to the pain clinic where treatment consisted of endoscopic thoracic sympathetic cauterization under general anesthesia. Patient was intubated with Robertashow 37 Fr. double lumen tube left sided. Left lateral and slight head up position was applied to make lesion side up. Incisions were made to penetrate trocas 5 mm diamether on 4 th intercostal space along mid axillary line and midclavicular line. Negative pressure suction on ipsilateral lung and CO2 insufflation under 10 mmHg was applied to reduce lung size. Cauterization on thoracic sympathetic chain at T3 level was done under endoscoic guide. 24 Fr. chest tube was inserted. Patient's symptoms cleared and he was satisfied with the results of this treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.101-118
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• 2000

Introduction : In spite of the use of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture in the clinics, the scientific evaluation on effects is not enough. Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture is used according to the stimulation of acupuncture point and the chemical effects of Bee Venom. The aims of this study is to investigate the analgegic effects of the Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture, through the change of writhing reflex Materials and Methods : Pain animal model was used acetic acid method. The changes of writhing reflex of the mice which were derived pain by injecting acetic acid into the abdomen, after stimulating Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture on Chungwan($CV_{12}$) and non acupuncture point on the backside were measured. Results : 1. It showed that the writhing reflex were appeared on the groups which injected aceticacid only, and saline-acetic acid group(sample I), but not on the group bee venom-saline group(sample II). 2. The change of writhing reflex by Chungwan($CV_{12}$) Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture showed significant decrease in the order of Chungwan($CV_{12}$) Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture group III($2.5{\times}10^{-3}$g/kg), II($2.5{\times}10^{-4}$g/kg), and I($2.5{\times}10^{-5}$g/kg), compared with control group. There were significant decrease of number of writhing reflex in $5{\sim}10,\;10{\sim}15\;and\;15{\sim}20$ minutes intervals of Chung wan($CV_{12}$) Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture group I, and in $0{\sim}5,\;5{\sim}10,\;10{\sim}15\;and\;15{\sim}20$ minutes intervals of II and III, compared with control group. 3. The change of writhing reflex by non acupuncture point Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture showed significant decrease in the $0{\sim}5\;and\;5{\sim}10$ minutes intervals and the total number of writhing reflex in $2.5{\times}10^{-4}$g/kg group, compared with control group 4. The effects of writhing reflex of Chungwan($CV_{12}$) Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture group showed significant decrease, compared with non acupuncture point Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture group. Conclusion : This study shows that the Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture on Chungwan($CV_{12}$) decreases the numbers of writhing reflex. As the analgegic effects of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture is recognized. Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture treatment is expected for pain modulation. In order to use it in many ways, more researches are needed for the dose and stability of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.312-318
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• 1995

Stellate ganglion block is extensively performed in pain closing to treat a diversity of diseases. Stellate ganglion phenol neurolysis, however, has not been not popular because of risk and complications such as: permanent horner's syndrome, hoarseness, pneumothorax and intravascular or intraspinal injection. But Racz recently performed stellate ganglion phenol neurolysis successfully, under fluoroscopic guide, minus significant complication. Three patients were recently treated at our pain clinic by repeated stellate ganglion block with local anesthetics. Patients showed immediate signs of improvement but prolonged pain relief was not achieved. Therefore we reported to performing stellate ganglion phenol neurolysis following Racz's technique. We successfully treated: two cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the upper extremity, and a case of postherpetic neuralgia of jaw, neck and upper chest wall, by stellate ganglion phenol neurolysis, devoid of any significant complications.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.241-249
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this case is to report the improvement after treatment about patient with Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. Methods : We treated the patient with acupuncture therapy and Herbal medication from 12th October 2004 to 20th June 2005 by evaluating shoulder function with VAS score, shoulder joint ROM and mannual muscle test(MMT). Results : After treatment, this patient achieved excellent outcome following the technique, showing that clinical symptom as like pain, swelling, paresthesia, color tone change was almost disappeared, and there was improvement of ROM and MMT Conclusion : Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS) also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neurological syndrome characterized by severe burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling, extreme sensitivity to touch. Oriental medical treatment for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome resulted in satisfactory results by diminishing the symptoms progressively during the thirty two weeks of treatment. Differential diagnosis was based on careful physical examination. More research of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome is needed.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.99-109
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• 2003

Dr. Lawrence H Jones developed innovative approach for the treatment of neuromuscular and musculo-skeletal disorders such as fibromyalgia, myofacial pain syndrome, any other muscle pain. This technique is called Strain/Counterstrain technique which uses effect of neuromuscular reflex for treatment of strain. First, Relieving spinal or other joint pain by passively putting the joint into its position of greatest comfort; secondly relieving pain by reduction and arrest of the continuing inappropriate proprioceptor activity. This was accomplished by markedly shortening the muscle that contains the malfunctioning muscle spindle by applying. mild strain to its antagonists. In other words, the inappropriate strain reflex is inhibited by application of counterstrain. Many other techniques have been developed for treating of muscle pain due to somatic dysfunction, but we want to introduce you to strain/counterstrain technique because this is basic concept and theory of Chum therapy for controling motor system.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.86-88
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• 1997

Regional sympathetic blockade is the most effective treatment for reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Radiofrequency thermocoagulation provides longer duration of pain relief than local anesthetics and less complication than chemical neurolytic agents for lumbar sympathectomy. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is thought to be an effective modality yieding good results in treating intractable neuropathic pain. Therefore RSD might be a good indication for SCS. We treated a patient with RSD who responded well to lumbar sympathetic blockade (LSB) with radiofrequency thermocoagulation and SCS. The patient had a left ankle sprain requiring a case for the lower leg for 2 weeks. The patient suffered increasing pain and swelling on the lower part of that leg. We thought to block the lumbar sympathetic chain utillzing radiofrequency thermocoagulation 2 days after LSB with local anesthetics. The results provided accepatable pain relief (VAS $8{\rightarrow}15$) but the patient still could not walk due to remaining pain which was further aggravated by walking. After SCS, pain relief improved (VAS $5{\rightarrow}13$) and patient could walk without assistance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.25-34
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• 2006

Purpose: This study conducted quantitative sensory test and nociceptive flexion reflex(NFR) measurement to examine degree of pain depending on polarity of high voltage pulsed current(HVPC) of hyperalgesia site in hyperalgesia rat by local thermal injury. mechanical pain threshold, thermal pain threshold and root mean square of NFR were measured. Methods: This study was conducted with control group I of hyperalgesia rat at hind paw by thermal injury and experimental groups divided into cathodal HVPC group II, anodal HVPC group III and alternate HVPC group IV. It measured pain threshold and root mean square(RMS) of NFR and obtained the following results. Results: Mechanical pain threshold of hyperalgeisa site was significantly increased at groups II, III and IV applying HVPC group compared to control group, but there was no difference among HVPC groups. Thermal pain threshold of hyperalgesia site showed a significant increase in group II. Group III showed significant difference after 4 days of hyperalgesia. RMS of NFR at hyperalgeisa site was significantly reduced in group II after 2 days of hyperalgesia. Group III showed significant decrease after 5 and 6 days of hyperalgesia. Conclusion: Consequently it was found that application of HVPC of hyperalgesia site increased pain threshold at hyperalgesia site by mechanical stimuli and thermal stimuli. NFR by electrical stimuli was similar to pain threshold by mechanical stimuli. Effects by polarity of HVPC showed the greatest reduction of hyperalgesia when cathodal electrode was used.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.519-522
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• 1991

Pain reflex and anesthetic state in swine with xylazine epidural anesthesia were observed. In xylazine epidural anesthesia, dosages of 0.50mg/kg BW for analgesia of perineal region and 0.7550mg/kg for analgesia of low abdominal wall were required. Regional anesthesia was induced 5~20 min after epidural injection of xylazine and recovered 90~120 min after administration. The results indicated that xylazine as an epidural local anesthetic was useful in swine.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.275-279
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• 1993

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a syndrome characterized by persistent, burning pain, hyperpathia, allodynia & hyperaesthesia in an extremity, with concurrent evidence of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. It generally develops after nerve injury, trauma, surgery, et al. The most successful therapies are directed towards blocking the sympathetic intervention to the affected extremity by regional sympathetic ganglion block or Bier block with sympathetic blocker; other traditional treatments include transcutaneous electrical stimulation, immobilization with cast & splint, physical therapy, psychotherapy, administration of sympathetic blocker, calcitonin, corticosteroid and analgesic agents. The purpose of this report is to evaluate and describe the effects of magnetic resonance following unsatisfactory results with traditional treatments of RSD. A 17 year old female patient, 1 year earlier, had received excision and drainage of pus at the right femoral triangle due to an injury caused by a stone. Afterwards, she experienced burning pain, knee joint stiffness, and muscle dystrophy of the right thigh, especially when standing and walking. Despite a year of number of traditional treatments such as: lumbar sympathetic block, continuous epidural analgesia, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, & administration of predisolone, her pain did not improve. Surprisingly, the patients was able to walk free from pain and difficulty after just one application of magnetic resonance. The patient has been successfully treated with further treatment of two to three times a week for approximately ten weeks. More recently, magnetic resonance has been demonstrated to produce effective results for the relief of pain in a variety of diseases. From our experiences we recognize magnetic resonance as a therapeutic modality which can provide excellent results for the treatment of RSD. It has been suggested that polysynaptic reflex which are disturbed in RSD may be modulated normally on the spinal cord level through the application of magnetic resonance.