• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.228-233
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• 2012

Objective : Chronic neck or back pain can be managed with various procedures. Although these procedures are usually well-tolerated, a variety of side effects have been reported. In this study we reviewed cases of unexpected temporary adverse events after blocks and suggest possible causes. Methods : We reviewed the records of patients treated with spinal pain blocks between December 2009 and January 2011. The types of blocks performed were medial branch blocks, interlaminar epidural blocks and transforaminal epidural blocks. During the first eight months of the study period (Group A), 2% mepivacaine HCL and triamcinolone was used, and during the last six months of the study period (Group B), mepivacaine was diluted to 1% with normal saline. Results : There were 704 procedures in 613 patients. Ten patients had 12 transient neurologic events. Nine patients were in Group A and one was in Group B. Transient complications occurred in four patients after cervical block and in eight patients after lumbar block. Side effects of lumbar spine blocks were associated with the concentration of mepivacaine (p<0.05). The likely causes were a high concentration of mepivacaine in five patients, inadvertent vascular injection in three patients, intrathecal leak of local anesthetics in one, and underlying conversion disorder in one. Conclusion : Spinal pain blocks are a good option for relieving pain, but clinicians should always keep in mind the potential for development of inevitable complications. Careful history-taking, appropriate selection of the anesthetics, and using real-time fluoroscopy could help reduce the occurrence of adverse events.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.168-178
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• 2004

The purposes of this paper were to investigate the effect of active treatment compared with a conservative treatment and to provide the information for physical therapy in patients suffering from chronic neck pain. Forty female subjects who were diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy participated in this study and were divided into the conservative and active treatment groups. The active treatment group consisted of 20 patients who were treated with therapeutic modalities and active neck exercise program during the admission (15 days) and one month after discharge. The conservative treatment group consisted of 20 patients who were not received with active neck exercise program. The assessment tools were made using visual analogue scale(VAS), neck disability index(NDI) and modified Zung depression scale(MZDS). All subjects were measured three times: before the admission, at discharge, and at one month after discharge. Data were compared by groups using independent t-test. VAS, NDI and MZDS scores measured at admission and discharge were not significantly different between the groups. On the assessment performed one month after discharge, VAS and NDI scores were significantly lower for the active treatment group compared with those of the conservative treatment group(p<0.05), but MZDS score was not significantly different between the groups. In the comparison of two treatment methods for chronic neck pain, active treatment was more effective than conservative treatment. The findings of the study indicate that active treatment in chronic neck pain has a positive effect in relieving pain and restoring neck function.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report Four cases of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) patients after spinal fusion surgery who showed significant improvement in pain and function with Complex Korean medical treatment. Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study. We reviewed medical records of Four patients with lumbar pain or radiating leg pain, who have received spinal fusion surgery in the past. All Four patients took complex treatments of Mokhuri Neck and Back hospital which involes Acupuncture, Pharmaco-acupuncture, Gangchuk herbal medicine, Chuna and Physical therapy during about four-week of admission treatment. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Pain Free Walking Distance (PFWD) scores were assessed before and after treatments. Results: The average of hospitalization period was 28.5 days. Mean VAS scores decreased from 6.5 to 2.3, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores decreased from 56.25 to 38.25 and Pain Free Walking Distance (PFWD) also improved from 10m to 166.6m. Conclusion: This study implies that a combination of Korean medical treatments might be effective in relieving pain, and improving the functional status of FBSS patients. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the effects.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to test the effects of Oketani breast massage on breast pain and breast milk pH of mothers, and sucking speed of neonates. Methods: A nonequivalent control group and a pretest-posttest design was used. Postpartum mothers complaining of breast pain were recruited at a postpartum care center. The application of Oketani breast massage by an Oketani massage therapist was the experimental treatment. The control group received the conventional massage technique from a nurse at the postpartum care centre. The collected data were analysed using a $x^2$-test and a t-test with the SPSS WIN 12.0 program. Results: The participants were homogeneous in age, gestation period, and birth weight. Breast pain (t=8.384, p<.001) was significantly relieved, and breast milk pH (t=4.793, p<.001) was significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The sucking speed of the neonates in the experimental group was significantly increased compared to the control group (t=9.920, p<.001). Conclusion: These findings indicate that Oketani breast massage is effective in relieving breast pain and increasing breast milk pH as well as the sucking speed of neonates.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.785-788
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• 2009

Many patients with upper abdominal organ cancers, including pancreatic cancer, suffer from severe pain, and various methods and techniques have been used for relieving this pain. We present here two cases of patients with pancreatic cancer and they were both successfully relieved of their abdominal pain by performing video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy and splanchnicectomy. This minimally invasive procedure offers promise in carefully selected patients with severe pain from pancreatic cancer and other conditions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.776-784
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of traditional Korean medicine treatments on a patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Case Summary: A 29-year-old male patient suffering from lower back pain and chest pain was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Korean medicine treatments, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine, were applied. The treatment effect was evaluated with a numeral rating scale (NRS) for pain and by changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). After 44 days of treatment, the patient's symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis were improved. The NRS score for lower back pain decreased from 3 to 2, and the NRS score for chest pain decreased from 10 to 1. In addition, the ESR level decreased from 13 to 10 and the CRP level decreased from 1.39 to 0.84. Conclusion: The integrative Korean medicine treatments appeared to be effective in relieving pain associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2021

Objectives This review was conducted to study use of Aconitum herbal medicine for pain control in musculoskeletal disease. Methods Musculoskeletal disease is a major factor of social cost increase and physical disability. Various drugs, surgery and imaging are being overused regardlessly. Aconitum herbal plants are one of the most toxic Korean traditional herbs. However, they could be utilized effectively on patients with appropriate processing and decocting time. We searched Korean medicine literature to see various features of aconitum herbal plants and tried to find the utilization of the plants in effective way for pain control in musculoskeletal disease. Results Aconitum herbal plants needs to be used carefully because of intoxication which could lead to severe damage to human body. Processing of these toxic plants could minimize the harm and raise the benefits, such as relieving various types of pain and positive inotropic action. Further studies with clearer evidence and discovering aftereffects of processing in more details are needed. Conclusions Aconitum herbal plants could dedicate to controlling pain in musculoskeletal disease with various forms and appropriate processing.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.285-295
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• 2024

Background: In human dentition, the most commonly impacted teeth are the mandibular third molars (M3M). The removal or extraction of these teeth often causes anxiety in patients due to the perceived pain involved in the process. Therefore, pain must be effectively managed using anesthesia. The use of newer local anesthetic drugs can help minimize side effects and drug interactions. Traditionally, adrenaline is used as a vasoconstrictor along with lignocaine. When combined with lignocaine, the alpha agonists dexmedetomidine and clonidine can extend the duration of anesthesia, thereby reducing the need for additional pain-relieving medications. Methods: This study used a randomized, triple-blind, parallel-arm design. Sixty patients were screened, and 45 systemically healthy patients requiring unilateral surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars with similar difficulty (moderate-to-difficult according to the Modified Pederson's Index) were included in the study. Patients were allocated into three groups as follows: Group A: 2% Lignocaine Hydrochloride with 1:100,000 Adrenaline, Group C: 2% Lignocaine Hydrochloride with 15 ㎍/mL Clonidine, and Group D: 2% Lignocaine Hydrochloride with 1 ㎍/mL Dexmedetomidine. The evaluated parameters were the time of onset of anesthesia, depth of anesthesia, hemodynamic parameters, and duration of postoperative analgesia. Results: Group D had a faster onset of action and prolonged duration of postoperative analgesia compared with Groups A and C. No statistically significant differences were observed between the three groups in terms of the depth of anesthesia and hemodynamic parameters. Conclusion: Group D exhibited a significantly more rapid onset of anesthesia than Groups A and C, and the postoperative analgesic effect in Group D was significantly prolonged (7.22 hours) compared with that in Groups A (4.54 hours) and C (2.1 hours). Patients receiving the Group D solution experienced an extended period of comfort without the need for analgesics for up to 7.22 hours post-procedure.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1977

Despite the fact that it is not a fatal symptom. the lower back pain of human species is considered a health problem of modern society: 80% of world population experience it and the distress and dysfunction caused by interferes daily life as well as the general productivity. This study was performed to investigate the general tendency of lower back Pain on nurses: influence of nursing activities, working condition and the physical characteristics of nurses on the pain in order to provide data for prevention and treatment. 386 nurses working at 16 general hospitals throughout the country were sampled. Questionaries developed by the researcher was used for data gathering. Results are as follows : 1. Lower back pain was experienced by most(72.3%) of the nurses: the highest rate of -Pain experience was revealed to be the a9e group of 35-39 (80.8%) followed by 25-29 group (74.2%). 2. In almost all instances (91.4%), the first pain attack occurred before the age of 29, and in 73.1%. the attack occurred between the age of 15-24. 3. In 10.1%, the pain was almost persistent or occurred every other day frequency. In 9%, the pain was relieved by the administration of analgesics or "unable to move". 4. More than 6 days′sick leave due to the pain revealed to be in 2.2%. No significant difference was revealed between specialities of service. 5. Pain experience and the over or under weight revealed not to have significant relations. (X$^2$=0.55224, p〉0.7587) 6. The length of working hour of I. C. U. and O. R, revealed to be longer than that of nurses general ward, however. no significant difference on the rate of pain occurrence apparent. (X$^2$=0.4952, p〉0.8239) No significant difference on the rate of pain occurrence between nurses working over 46 hours/week and under 45 hours/week. (X$^2$=3.86241, p〉0.078318) 7. The most frequent Pain related movement revealed to be "lifting patient or heavy object" (24. 7%, N=68) followed by "the sameness of position, either standing or sitting"(16.8%) 8. Regular physical exercise revealed to have no significant influence on the rate of Pain occurrence. 9. Higher raft of pain experience was revealed in the group of nurses wearing eye glasses. Uncomfortable shoes revealed to have influenced the pain. 10. The most frequent pain relieving treatment revealed to be "rest" (54.2%, N= 151) followed by "analgesics" (12.6%, N=35) and "hot compress/fomentation"(10.5%, N=29). In 13.7% (N=38) no special care was given.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.91-95
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• 2006

Background: Opioid delivered by epidural patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is effective in relieving pain after surgery, but it is associated with side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, pruritus, respiratory depression, and urinary retention. The purpose of this study was to compare hydromorphone related side effects and the quality of analgesia when naloxone was added to epidural PCA regimen. Methods: Fifty-two thoracotomy patients with PCA were allocated blindly into two groups. Patients in group H (n = 26) received continuous epidural hydromorphone ($16{\mu}g/ml$) in 0.1% bupivacaine; patients in group N (n = 26) received an epidural infusion containing naloxone ($2{\mu}g/ml$) and hydromorphone ($16{\mu}g/ml$) in 0.1% bupivacaine. The basal rate of PCA was 4 ml/hr and the demand dose was 1.5 ml with a lockout time of 15 min. Pain intensity, sedation, pruritus, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression were checked at 6, 12, 24 hours postoperatively. Results: The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were significantly lower in group H than in group N. There were no significant differences in the overall incidence of pruritus, nausea and sedation between the two groups. Conclusions: Continuous epidural infusion of naloxone combined with hydromorpho-ne is not effective in reducing the incidence and severity of pruritus induced by epidural hydromorphone.