• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2023

Background: Understanding the stability of quantitative sensory tests (QSTs) over time is important to aid clinicians in selecting a battery of tests for assessing and monitoring patients. This study evaluated the short- and long-term reliability of selected QSTs. Methods: Twenty healthy women participated in three experimental sessions: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 months. Measurements included pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the neck, upper back, and leg; Pressure-cuff pain tolerance around the upper-arm; conditioned pain modulation during a pressure-cuff stimulus; and referred pain following a suprathreshold pressure stimulation. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Results: Reliability for PPT was excellent for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.96-0.99; MDC, 22-55 kPa) and from good to excellent at 6 months (ICC, 0.88-0.95; MDC, 47-91 kPa). ICC for pressure-cuff pain tolerance indicated excellent reliability at both times (0.91-0.97). For conditioned pain modulation, reliability was moderate for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.57-0.74; MDC, 24%-35%), while it was moderate at the neck (ICC, 0.54; MDC, 27%) and poor at the upper back and leg at 6 months. ICC for referred pain areas was excellent at 2 weeks (0.90) and good at 6 months (0.86). Conclusions: PPT, pressure pain tolerance, and pressure-induced referred pain should be considered reliable procedures to assess the pain-sensory profile over time. In contrast, conditioned pain modulation was shown to be unstable. Future studies prospectively analyzing the pain-sensory profile will be able to better calculate appropriate sample sizes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.163-166
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• 2023

A 30-year-old male novice golfer was diagnosed with a clay-shoveler's fracture. During golf practice, he experienced persistent posterior neck and upper back pain for a month. Cervical radiographs and computed tomography revealed a series of sequential spinous process fractures from C7 to T3. The patient was prescribed analgesic medication and fitted with a cervical brace alongside extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) directed explicitly toward the upper back region, subsequently leading to a notable reduction in pain. Therefore, ESWT could be considered an additional method for pain management in patients with clay-shoveler's fractures.

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

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 2023

Background: Smartphone addiction has emerged as a significant social problem. Numerous studies have indicated the association between smartphone use and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system of the upper extremities. Objects: This cross-sectional survey aimed to compare the characteristics of musculoskeletal pain in the neck, trunk, and upper limbs between individuals with smartphone addiction and those without addiction. Methods: We collected a total of 326 healthy individuals' data from China and Korea who had owned and used smartphones for more than 5 years between 20-50s through an online questionnaire consisting of 84 questions in four major sections. The first part contained basic information on the participant's personal characteristics and smartphones. The second part contained questions about smartphone use and posture. The third part was the smartphone addiction. The fourth part was to investigate musculoskeletal pain in various upper body parts. Results: Smartphone addiction has a weak negative correlation with age (r = -0.20, p < 0.01) and a weak positive correlation with the hours of smartphone use (r = 0.376, p < 0.01). Frequent musculoskeletal pain symptoms related to smartphone use were observed in the neck, shoulder, lower back, and wrists. The hours of smartphone use was slightly positively associated with the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder (r = 0.162, p < 0.05) and lower back (r = 0.125, p < 0.05). The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck (χ² = 3.993, p < 0.05), shoulder (χ² = 6.465, p < 0.05), and wrist (χ² = 4.645, p < 0.05) was significantly higher among females than males. Conclusion: The results suggest that smartphone addiction should be recognized as a dual concern encompassing both physical health and psychosocial aspects. Furthermore, healthcare professionals, including physicians and physical therapists, should consider clients' smartphone usage patterns when assessing and treating with musculoskeletal pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

Objective : This study was performed to confirm the effects of acupuncture on myofascial pain syndrome(MPS) through the change of visual analogue scale(VAS) and pain pressure threshold(PPT) and the usefulness of pressure algometer on the evaluation of pain. Methods : We perfomed this study with 20 outpatients complaining of upper back pain. Before acupuncture therapy(AT), immediately after AT and 2-3 days after AT, we respectively checked visual analogue scale(VAS) and pain pressure threshold(PPT) through pressure algometer, with patients seated and relaxed. The PPT was checked at major trigger point of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, rhomboideus minor. and the patients were needled at the same points and maintained for 15 minutes. Results : VAS of immediately after AT was mild higher than that of before AT, but not significantly different. and VAS of 2-3 days after AT was significantly lower than before AT and immediately after AT. PPT of immediately after AT was lower than before PT, but not significantly different. PPT of 2-3 days after AT was significantly higher than that of before AT and immediately after AT. Also PPT was significantly correlated with VAS. Conclusion : PPT of omen was signicantly lower than that of men. and there was no significant difference by age. PPT was increased according to pain duration. Effectiveness of acupuncture on myofascial pain syndrome through PPT and VAS is showed at 2-3 days after AT rather than immediatly after AT. and pressure algometer is useful for the evaluation of Acupuncture therapy on myofascial pain syndrome.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1066-1070
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• 2016

The purpose of this article was to investigate the effects of Maitland's transverse movement on change of pain, trunk flexion movement and Cobb's angle in patient with upper thoracic scoliosis. The subject are 37 years old with chronic low back pain participated in this study and has no experience surgery within the last six months due to back pain. 10 set was applied 10 times on the T3-T5 applied the transverse movement with grade IV to each segment by skilled physical therapist. Transverse movement was applied convex toward the concave side. Pressure pain threshold was reduced from 4/10 to 2/10. Trunk flexion range that is the distance between the middle finger and floor was increase from 7.3cm to 2cm. Cobb's angle was decreased from degree 18 to 16. This result demonstrated that the Maitland's transverse movement was benefit to reduce the pain and Cobb's angle, and to increase the trunk flexion movement.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.65-76
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to find out the differences of the acupuncture sensation by body parts. Methods : Sixty-three subjects got acupuncture at five acupoints which represent five different body parts ; head($GV_{20}$), abdomen($ST_{25}$), back($BL_{24}$), upper extremity($LU_9$), lower extremity($GB_{40}$). All subjests were asked to complete questionnaire rating the intensity of 13 kinds of acupuncture sensation(acupuncture sensation scale, ASS). We compared the subjective acupuncture sensation between the body parts. Results : Intensity of acupuncture sensation of $GV_{20}$ was significantly lower than $LU_9$(p=0.001) and $GB_{40}$(p=0.000). Sum of acupuncture sensation of $GV_{20}$ was also significantly lower than $BL_{24}$(p=0.011), $LU_9$(p=0.004) and $GB_{40}$(p=0.033). Among the 13 types of acupuncture sensation scale, tingling and aching were well sensed at $GV_{20}$ and $ST_{25}$, aching, tingling and sharp pain were well sensed at $LU_9$, $GB_{40}$, dull pain, deep pressure and heaviness were well sensed at $BL_{24}$. Conclusions : Head showed significantly lower intensity of acupuncture sensation than upper extremity and lower extremity. Among the acupuncture sensation scales, tingling and aching were well sensed at head and abdomen, aching, tingling and sharp pain were well sensed at upper extremity and lower extremity, dull pain, deep pressure and heaviness were well sensed at back.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the effect of a self-exercise program on low back pain, abdominal-back muscle strength and waist flexibility in hospital nurses. Method: An experimental research design was employed. 43 subjects (20 in the experimental group and 23 in the control group) who worked in a general hospital in W city agreed to participate in this study. The intervention had 6 sessions with self-exercise program including flexion and extension demonstrated by a trained research assistant. A Visual Analog Scale was used to measure the subjective pain severity. Abdominal-back muscle strength was measured with a back strength dynamometer, while waist flexibility was gauged by the standing of the subject's upper body. Analysis included descriptive statistics, $x^2$ test, t-test and ANOVA. Result: The experimental group exhibited significantly decreased low back pain, an increase in abdominal-back muscle strength, and increased waist flexibility after 6 sessions. The experimental group were not significantly increased in abdominal-back muscle strength than the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that further research is needed to replicate for verification of clinical validity with the methodological rigors, and to utilize the self-exercise program for care and prevention of low back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.245-257
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• 2020

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is associated with obesity; however, information on factors associated with pain in adults with obesity and severe obesity is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain by site and intensity of pain and associated factors in individuals with severe obesity (body mass index ≥ 35.0 kg/㎡). Methods: Baseline data from the DieTBra Trial study evaluating pain symptoms in nine body regions over the last seven days using the Nordic Questionnaire on Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Numerical Pain Scale. The variables analyzed using multiple Poisson regression with hierarchical analysis were: sociodemographic, lifestyle, food consumption, clinical, and anthropometric, and the outcome was moderate and intense pain. Results: In 150 participants, there was a high prevalence of ankle and foot pain (68.7%), lower back pain (62.7%), pain in the knees (53.3%) and upper back pain (52.0%), with a predominance of intense pain. Factors associated with pain according to specific sites were: type 2 diabetes with hand/wrist pain; sedentary time with hip pain; insomnia with pain in the hip and knee; edema in the lower limbs with pain in the lower back and ankles/feet; degree of obesity with ankle/foot pain; and percentage of total fat with ankle/foot pain. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of pain and intense pain in individuals with severe obesity and an association with clinical variables, the degree of obesity, and sedentary lifestyle.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to describe the treatment of the clinical symptoms of syringomyelia using Korean medicine. A patient with syringomyelia complained of back and shoulder pain, numbness of the upper right limb, headaches and dyspnea. He was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and physical therapy. The Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to score sensory symptoms (pain, numbness) and Modified Borg scale (mBorg) was used to score dyspnea. After the treatment, his symptoms were relieved. The patient's chief complaint was back and shoulder pain which was reduced greatly from a VAS score of 6 between 1-2. The results in this study may contribute to the development of the Korean medicine field of syringomyelia in the future.