• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.115-121
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• 2010

Objectives : Quality control of the needle tips and prevention of pollutions are important factor for safe and effective acupuncture treatment. Ear acupuncture needle is made by 3 companies in Korea, and used to treat for obesity or smoking in clinic frequently, but the Korean industrial Standard is proposed most recently. In spite of the importance, there has been little study about that. Moreover, there was no study about ear acupuncture needle. Methods : We investigated the current condition of needle shape and pollution about the tips and body of the ear acupuncture needle under the stereoscopic microscope. Samples are selected 100 pieces from 300 pieces randomly in each company. Results : The substandard needles are classified into four groups and counted 1. Normal condition (55.3%), 2. Scratch on the surface (14.0%), 3. Malformation of tips (19.3%), 4. Pollution of body (4.3%), 5. Multiple Substandard (7.0%). In the case of including type 2 as a standard needle, normal rate of A company was 81% when B was 76%, and C was 51%. Conclusion : The substandard ear acupuncture needles can induce local side effects such as needling pain or itching. Furthermore, it can disturb the proper effect of acupuncture treatment. We hope that this study can help to improvequality of ear acupuncture and reduce substandard rate for safe and effective ear acupuncture treatment.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2014

Objectives This study is on the implementation of the electric cauterizer with the hole for acupuncture to achieve the superposition effect of acupuncture-moxibustion therapies. Methods In this paper, we especially made a hole across the heat terminal of the electric cauterizer for acupuncture. Before the cauterization, the doctor treats a patient with needle. And after acupuncture, the heat terminal is to be superposed upon the needle along the hole to add the cauterization. Results There are 2 coupling methods that the heat terminal is to be superposed with the needle; one is the top-coupling and the other is side-coupling. The top-coupling means that the heat terminal is to be superposed upon the needle along the top of the needle, and side-coupling means that the heat terminal is to be superposed to the needle along the side of the needle. Conclusion This study was aimed to implement the electric cauterizer with the hole for acupuncture to achieve the superposition effect of acupuncture-moxibustion therapies. Not electric acupuncture but manual acupuncture is adopted. The electric cauterizer generates the heat $38{\sim}45^{\circ}C$. This heat is safe for skin not to burn. The electric cauterizer constitutes the smokeless moxa- pad which effects the skin DDS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.219-224
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• 2013

Objectives : The object of this study is to observe the effect of needle-embedding and acupuncture therapy on shoulder pain in Behcet disease. Methods : Needle-embedding therapy and acupuncture therapy was used to treat shoulder pain. We evaluated the patient through visual analog scale(VAS) and shoulder range of movement(ROM). Results : After weekly four times of needle-embedding therapy and daily acupuncture therapy, patient's VAS was decreased to 4 and ROM of shoulder was also improved. Conclusions : Needle-embedding and acupuncture therapy could be effective to decrease shoulder pain and improve movement of shoulder in Behcet disease patient.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.143-147
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of needle-embedding therapy against facial wrinkle. Methods : Ten patients with facial wrinkles were treated with needle-embedding therapy. Pictures and satisfaction questionnaire were compared before and after the treatment. And all patients were examined for adverse side effect after needle-embedding therapy. Results : After treatment, facial wrinkles were visibly improved after needle-embedding therapy. There were no adverse side effect except bruise. Conclusions : This study suggests that needle-embedding therapy can improve facial wrinkles.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.27-31
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• 2002

Background and Purpose: There has been little study about the quality of acupuncture needle tips. In order to ensure safe acupuncture treatment, high quality of needle tips is essential. Therefore, we investigated the current condition of the tips of the acupuncture needles on the market. Methods: We selected needles made by 6 companies in Korea, one company each in Japan, the USA and China, and observed the tip of each needle using a scanning electron microscope. Results and Discussion: We found that needles had several defects such as scratch marks on the surface, metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the needle tips, stubbed or malformed tips, tips of point off-center, and peeled off coated tips. There were more faulty ones than good ones. Further, better-designed study with a bigger sample size is warranted.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.135-143
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to observe effect of acupuncture stimulation on heart rate variability in stroke patients. Methods : Data were obtained from heart rate variability of 29 stroke patients. Heart rate variability was measured total five times(before and after needle insertion, before and after needle removal, and 10 minutes after needle removal) for five minutes each time. Results : Heart rates were continuously decreased until 10 minutes after needle removal. SDNN, Total power, LF, and HF were increased until 5 minutes after needle removal, but deceased between 5 and 10 minutes after needle removal. There was no significant changes between male and female and among age groups. Conclusion : This study showed that acupuncture stimulation could effect on heart rate variability in stroke patients. Heart rate variability could be a objective tool to verify the mechanism of acupuncture effect in various condition.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.65-76
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• 2011

Objectives : Study about needle retaining time. Methods : We reviewed the ancient and the present text of China with using the China academic journal(CAJ) of China national knowledge infrastructure(CNKI) Results & Conclusions : 1. Needle retaining time is important in acupuncture, because the therapy effect is influenced by it. 2. The time of needle retaining is up to those conditions like different disease, viscera and bowels(臟腑), meridian and collateral(經絡), obtaining Qi(得氣), seasons, constitution of the patients and acupuncture tools. In ${\ll}$Hwangdineijing(黃帝內經) ${\gg}$, needle retaining time is called by 'Zhiruzhichu(直入直出)', 'Jichu(疾出)', 'Liu(留)', 'Buliu(不留)', 'Jiuliu(久留)' and 'Liu ${\bigcirc}$ hu(留${\bigcirc}$呼)', and the time was shorter than nowadays. 3. The respiration number was counted to check needle retaining time but we can't find out any evidence. Recently in China, 'obtaining Qi(得氣)' and 'Qi arrival(氣至)' is used to check it. 4. Looking into clinical researches, different diseases need different needle retaining time. For example, 20~30min is appropriate time for musculoskeletal system. 60min is for circulatory system, 10~20min is for peripheral facial nerve paralysis. Insomnia and some stubborn diseases need longer time. Cold and heat(寒熱), deficiency and excess(虛實) are always influences the needle retaining as well. 5. It is important to figure out the most effective needle retaining time for different disease with the base of connection between needle retaining time and effect.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to understand the temperature characteristics depending on the thickness and material of the needle used with the Electronic Warm Acupuncture Device (EWAD). Methods : We controlled experimental environment and measured temperature changes of a silicon phantom in which K-type thermocouples were inserted at depths of 2, 7 mm. EWAD perfomed with acupuncture needles of various thicknesses (0.25×60 mm, 0.40×60 mm, and 0.50×60 mm) and materials (Gold 0.40×50 mm). We set non-needle (only heated with EWAD skin heater) group as a control group. Results : The maximum temperature and temperature changes of 0.40 mm, 0.50 mm needle group were significantly higher than the non-needle group. The highest temperature range in all needle groups was 0.50 mm needle group (41.44±0.31℃). However, the 0.25 mm needle group was not significantly different from the non-needle group. Maximum temperature of gold needle group was significantly higher than stainless steel needle group. Temperature changes of gold needle group were higher than stainless steel group at the depth of 7 mm. Conclusions : It was found that needle thickness and material of acupuncture had an effect on the temperature of the EWAD. When performing EWAD treatment, consideration of thickness and material of acupuncture is needed. Future research is needed using phantoms that can reflect actual clinical situations and better mimic the human body.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2019

Background: The phrase "Nine Needles" refers to the 9 types of acupuncture needles describing their shapes, sizes, and uses in Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu. The aim of this study was to present 3D illustrations of the "Nine Types of Needles" based on Huangdi's Internal classic Ling-shu, taking into consideration the conformation and application of the Nine Needles. Methods: Sketches of the "Nine Needles" were based on references to those needles cited in Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu, the Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, and the Golden Mirror of Medicine. The computer programs Creo 3.0, Keyshot 5, Adobe Photoshop CS5, and Adobe Illustrator CS5 were used for 3D modelling and visualization. Results: Based on a review of Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu, illustrations of the Spade needle, Round-Pointed needle, Pressure needle, Sharp-Edged needle, Sword-Shaped needle, Round-Sharp needle, Fine needle, Long needle, and Large needle, 3D models were created. The Spade needle had a sharp, large head, the Round-Pointed needle had an egg-shaped tip, and the Pressure needle had a blunt head like a grain of millet. The Sharp-Edged needle had a sharp blade with a triangular edge for bloodletting. The Sword-Shaped needle resembled a sword. The Round-Sharp needle resembled a horse's tail. The Fine needle and the Long needle had sharp points and thin bodies. The Large needle had a cylindrical shaft and rounded tip. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 3D illustrations could be generated for the Nine Needles according to the descriptions and figures provided in the ancient literature.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2001

Objective : There was no report on traumatic pneumothorax associated with acupuncture in korea yet, although many people guess at its possibility. In order to make known that acupuncture can cause pneumothorax in reality and to prevent more acupuncture-related adverse effect cases in future, this report was made. Methods : Close observation was done on clinical symptoms & radiologic examination of acupuncture-related traumatic pneumothorax patient. Results : During acupuncture therapy on neck stiffness & shoulder pain, a acupuncture needle was inserted too deeply into upper part of thorax unintentionally, patient showed dyspnea, chest pain & discomfort, cough, sweating and mild rupture of right lung in chest radiologic findings, and recovered after 2 weeks of conservative treatment. Conclusion : In order to prevent traumatic pneumothorax during acupuncture therapy, needling into thorax sometimes requires tilted acupuncture needle inserting under consideration of needle width & length. At least 0.40mm width of needle is generally considered appropriate in needling into taut band of thoracic muscles, because too thin and long needle sometimes can be bent and inserted into wrong way, which can cause adverse effects like pneumothorax.