• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.47-62
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• 2010

Objectives: Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by colonic mucosal inflammation and chronic relapsing events represents. The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of pharmacopuncture of anti-inflammatory herbal compound (AiC) applied to the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) intracolonic injection in rats. Methods: In Male Sprague - Dawley rats, weighing 250~400g, TNBS (5 mg/kg) was infused intrarectally through a silicon rubber catheter into the anus under isoflurane anaesthesia. Acupoints of LI4 (Hapkok), ST25 (Cheonchu), ST36 (Joksamni), and BL25 (Daejangsu) were intramuscularly injected by AiC, respectively (injection volume & times: 0.2 ml / acupoint, twice times on the 2nd & 3rd day). Expressions of cFos protein in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), nucleus of solitary tract (Sol), and the 6th lumbar spinal cord (L6 s.c.) were observed at 24 hr after TNBS induced colitis by immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression of c-Fos protein in the L6 s.c., Sol, LC and PAG increased 24 hr after TNBS injection into colorectum as compared to normal and 50% ethanol treated group. AiC to LI4 inhibited the expression of c-Fos protein in Sol and PAG but not L6 s.c. and LC. AiC to ST36 showed significant inhibition the c-Fos expression in L6 s.c., Sol and PAG. AiC to ST25 only showed the effects in L6 s.c. and PAG. AiC to BL25 inhibited significantly the expression of c-Fos protein all over the areas. To investigate whether or not endogenous opioids are involved, intrathecal injection of naltrexone (30ug/30ul) was applied before the 2nd pharmacopuncture treatment 24 hr after TNBS-induced colitis in rat. Naltrexone reversed the inhibition of c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord and brainstem. Conclusions: These data show that pharmacopuncture of Aic potently inhibits signal pathways ascending hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis and depends on the endogenous opioids according to acupoints.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.13-25
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate acupoints and muscles used for cosmetic acupuncture. We want most clinicians practicing cosmetic acupuncture to understand theoretical background well and to treat cosmetic diseases more diversely by this paper. Methods : We collected useful informations from some books and websites about cosmetic acupuncture and thus could select major acupoints and muscles. Conculsions : The most frequently used acupoints for cosmetic acupoints are as follows ; LI20, ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST8, SI18, SI19, BL1, BL2, BL3, BL4, TE17, TE18, TE19, TE20, TE21, TE22, TE23, GB1, GB2, GB3, GB4, GB5, GB6, GB7, GB8, GB13, GB14, GV20, GV21, GV22, GV23, GV24, GV25, GV26 and CV24. And head and neck muscles including SCM muscle, plastyma, frontalis, corrugator supercilii, orbicularis oculi, auricularis, temporalis, masseter, pterygoid, zygomaticus and risorius can be used for cosmetic acupuncture. Most acupoints and muscles are located in face and head, which seemed to be concerned with formation of face wrinkles.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.187-204
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• 2008

Objectives : To investigate how Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs) and pregnant women understand acupuncture treatment during pregnancy with a focus on safety. Methods : A survey was conducted in 163 KMDs and 157 women who were hospitalised in postnatal care clinics after childbirth. KMDs were asked regarding experience in acupuncture treatment for pregnant women and condition/disease for acupuncture treatment, intention to give acupuncture treatment to pregnant women and reason for yes/no, and consideration for acupuncture treatment for pregnant women. Patients were asked regarding their experience in acupuncture treatment before and during pregnancy and willingness to receive acupuncture treatment if necessary during future pregnancy. Results : 78% of KMDs have given acupuncture treatment to pregnant women if necessary, and it was mainly for pain. 63% of KMDs were willing to give acupuncture treatment for pregnant women with consideration of patient’s condition, specific acupuncture points, and stimulation methods. Pregnant women, however, were reluctant to receive acupuncture treatment during pregnancy (58%) in fear of miscarriage or needling itself. KMDs’ clinical experience, patients’ income level and level of education were not associated with greater use of acupuncture treatment during pregnancy (P>0.05). Conclusion : While many KMDs are willing to give acupuncture treatment to pregnant women if necessary, little evidence on its safety and effectiveness prevents patients from seeking acupuncture treatment during pregnancy. Further research on this issue is urgently needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.46-54
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• 2001

Objective : To study correlation of the brain areas with acupoints used in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases to evaluate the hypothesis that selecting acupoints on the left side to treat disorders on the right side and vice versa is known as the crossing combination of acupoints. Materials and Methods: Rest/acupuncture-stimulation Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a same-dose subtraction method was performed on 5 normal male volunteers (age range from 27 to 30 years) using acupuncture at acupoint, LI4 located in the left hand. In the control study, needle location was chosen on a non-meridian focus 1cm posterior to the right fibular head. All images were spatially normalized and the differences between rest and acupuncture stimulation were statistically analyzed using SPM(R) for Windows(R). Results : Acupuncture applied at LI4 located in the left hand increased rCBF in the right hemisphere, that is, the right parietal lobe(angular gyrus) and a part of the right middle posterior temporal gyrus and the right inferior occipital lobe. In the control stimulation, no significant rCBF increase was observed. Conclusion : The results demonstrated a correlation between stimulation at acupoint with increase in rCBF to the controlateral hemisphere.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

Objective: To inform of the 4th WHO informal consultation meeting on the development of international standard acupuncture points locations, held in Daejeon, Korea, on April $23{\sim}26$, 2005. Results and Conclusions: 12 experts from Korea, China and Japan discussed the locations of 18 controversial points that were not agreed at the previous meeting, and 16 non-controversial points that all 3 nations agreed on the locations but still needed more discussion for their expressions, as well as other non-controversial points that were agreed on both the locations and the expressions but were suggested by Chinese party to be discussed again. Also, the guidelines for English translation of the standard acupuncture points locations and the development of the standard acupuncture points charts, diagrams, and dolls were discussed in this meeting. Through this meeting the locations of ST30, SP11, SP12, TE18, GB9, GB10, LR4, LR5, LR6, BL6, BL7, BL9, GB19 were agreed, but it was suggested that more research would be needed for the locations of LI20, GV26, PC8, PC9, LR7, GB30, LR12, and the expressions of ST36, ST38, ST39, BL1. Due to the time limitation, 16 acupuncture points out of those Chinese party suggested to have more discussion about were not discussed at this meeting and remained to be discussed at the next meeting.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.247-259
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• 2000

Objective : The mechanism of acupuncture to increase cerebral blood flow is still uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neural basis of acupuncture by comparing the cerebral regions activated by the stimulation of two different methods of acupunctures at the same acupoint which was suggested by oriental medicine to increase rCBF. Materials and Methods : Thirty-nine healthy volunteers(26 males, 13 females, age $31{\pm}11$ years) were studies by rest/acupuncture Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a subtraction method. SPECTs using two methods(needle retention and heated needle with 90% alcohol) at two acupoints (right LI. 4 and ST. 36) were peformed at an interval of three days. For the needle retention method, acupuncture needle was inserted to a depth of about 2 cm into each acupoint 8 minutes after the lst acquisition and continued to retain, and the second injection of Tc-99m ECD was done 15 minutes after the insertion of needle. For the heated acupuncture method, heated needle was inserted in a twinkle within several msec 20 second after the second injection of Tc-99m ECD. The differences of between rest and acupuncture activation state were statistically analyzed using a statistical parametric mapping software. Result : Acupunctures of both methods reveal similar patterns of increase in rCBF. Acupuncture at ST.36 increase rGBF in left anterior temporal, right inferior frontal lobes, and left cerebellum. Acupuncture at LI. 4 increase rCBF in the left frontal cortex, right temporal pole, both inferior frontal cortices and right cerebellum. Conclusion : The effects of two different acupunctures to the same acupoints on rCBF were similar. Therefore, this result suggests Chat the mechanism of acupuncture in the increase of cerebral blood flow have a neural basis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2020

Objectives : Since there are complex associations between diseases/symptoms and acupoints, one-to-one correspondence may not be the proper approach. Pattern identification has been being used as a clinical framework to make treatment decisions by extracting and synthesizing clinical data including patients' signs and symptoms. In this article, we propose two different models explaining the relationships between diseases and acupoints based on the branch treatment [Zhibiaofa] and the root treatment [Zhibenfa]. Methods : We explained the relationships between diseases/symptoms and acupoints from the example data from our previous study on traditional acupuncture point selection patterns for pain control. Diseases include low back pain, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis, ankle sprain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and dysmenorrhea, and acupoints included LI4, BL23, BL25, SP6, BL60, TE5, and CV4. Results : The relationships between diseases/symptoms and acupoints can be explained directly based on the branch treatment, and also can be explained indirectly through pattern identification based on the root treatment. Pattern identifications included both meridian-based pattern identification based on the spatial information of diseases and visceral organ-based pattern identification based on the characteristics of diseases. Conclusions : In the East Asian traditional medicine, Korean medicine doctors choose the most appropriate acupoints based either on the diseases/symptoms (i.e., branch treatment) or on the results of pattern identifications (i.e., root treatment). It is necessary to understand the two different approaches to choose specific acupoints for the targeted diseases.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.213-232
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• 2000

Hemiplegic shoulder pain(HSP) is one of the most frequent and difficult problems affecting poststroke hemiplegic patients. Honeybee venom acupuncture therapy(BVAT) is known for its pain relieving effects in arthralgia. To evaluate the effectiveness of BVAT on HSP, 24 patients were sequential1y allocated into BVA T treatment group and control group and monitored for 4 weeks at time interval of initial(T0), 1 week(T1), 2 weeks(T2) and 4 weeks(T4). In treatment group, 1:10000 honeybee venom solution 0.2㎖ was injected into acupoint(s) following Deqi three times a week. Kyonu(LI15) was used in the first week. Thereafter Kyonu(LI15) and Nosu(SI10) were used. Visual analogue scale of pain severity showed significant decrease in treatment group compared to control group at T2 and T4 evaluation. Painless passive range of motion of shoulder external rotation showed significant increase in treatment group compared to control group at T4 evaluation. Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment of upper limb motor function and Modified Ashworth scale of the spasticity of upper limb showed no difference between two groups. BVAT showed as an effective therapy in HSP and further extensive clinical studies are expected.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.143-151
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• 2007

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Hap-Kok(LI4) and Jok-Sam-Lee(ST36) acupuncture on blood flow in In-Young(ST9). Method : Monitoring of TCD was examined in each 25's healthy men and wemen in 20s before and after acupucture on both(right and left) Hap-kok(LI4) and was done on both(right and left) Jok-Sam-Lee(ST36) by different group with same condition. Mean velocity and Pulsatility index analyzed from TCD at both In-Young(ST9). Both group was acupuctured for 15-20 minutes laying at bed. Results : The results showed a significant($p{\le}0.05:$ Paired T-test) decrease in mean velocity and increase in pulsatility index at both group. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture could have a specific effect on blood flow called In-Young acupoint.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.150-161
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• 2019

Objectives : The authors aimed at contributing to the safety of acupuncture in the clinic by analyzing the information of contraindicated acupoints described in Uihakipmun. Methods : We investigated the contents related acupuncture contraindications in Uihakipmun, categorized the contraindicated acupoints by site and identified whether they can cause adverse events from the anatomical point of view. Results : In Uihakipmun, 49 acupoints - BL6, BL8, BL9, ST1, SI18, BL1, BL2, TE18, TE19, TE20, GB1, GB3, GV22, GV24, ST12, ST9, TE16, GV6, BL15, BL30, CV17, LU2, GB22, SP16, CV8, CV9, CV15, KI11, ST30, SP11, BL56, GB32, GB33, GB42, LI13, HT2, TE8, GV17, GB18, EX-HN11, GB21, GV11, GV10, ST17, CV5, CV1, ST42, SP6, LI4 - were described as contraindicated acupoints. Among them, the contraindications induced by acupuncture treatment were described for just 5 acupoints. Anatomically, acupuncture stimulation at the contraindicated acupoints can cause organ, nerve or vessel damage near the acupoints. And the number of contraindicated acupoints in Uihakipmun was increased compared to those in Hwangjenaegyeong, Chimgugabeulgyeong, Bigeupcheongeumyobang, Donginsuhyeolchimgudogyeong and Chimgujasaenggyeong. Conclusions : In Ming dynasty, the knowledge associated with adverse events on acupuncture was increased by the accumulation of medical knowledge. Acupuncture stimulation at the contraindicated acupoints described in Uihakipmun can cause tissue damage, therefore we should perform acupuncture procedure carefully to avoid adverse events when stimulating the contraindicated acupoints.