• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.402-411
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• 2016

The concept of the meridian system is originated from an empirical, systematic references in the clinical setting, which does not always require anatomical features. As the principles of systems biology are mainly associated with regulating the body's internal environment to maintain a stable condition, they are closely similar to the theory of the meridian system. In this review, I describe the origin of the concept of the meridian system, current status of research on the meridian system and acupuncture points, and the future directions of the research. To unravel the entity of the meridian system, we have to start from understanding its origin and clinical significance. The meridian system, as a theoretical model of the indications of acupuncture points, can help to understand the interconnections that underlie the pathologies of particular diseases or symptoms. Based on the establishment of clinical data platform for acupuncture research, we can extract novel medical information from the clinical data and generate analytical models that are useful for medical knowledge discovery on acupuncture points in the future.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2023

Objectives : Our goals were to examine how the well points in the fingers came to be and how their placements have changed, as well as to determine how they relate to the EX-UE11 points. Methods : We reviewed the classic textbooks to understand the origin and the changes of locations of the well points in the fingers. We also compared the location and indications between well points in the fingers and EX-UE11 points. Results : At first, the tips of the fingers, which are now thought to be the locations of EX-UE11 points, were once described as containing well points. Currently, well points are positioned 0.1 F cun distal-medial (or lateral) to the medial (or lateral) corner of the nail. In addition to the locational commonality, we found similarities between the well points in the fingers and the EX-UE11 points in terms of their indications; for example, bloodletting at these places is frequently utilized to treat emergencies, including acute stroke and fever. Conclusions : We suggest that it is highly likely that well points in the fingers and EX-UE11 points were initially the same acupuncture point and later classified into two different acupuncture points, given their identical locations and indications. If the clinical relevance between the change process of the well points' locations in the fingers and the EX-UE11 is studied in the historical literature, it is anticipated that the significance and clinical application of well points can be expanded.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2013

Objectives : The Meridians and acupuncture points are the fundamental theories for acupuncture therapy. They have been associated with nervous system, but It is not well defined. We investigated that the effects of acupuncture at the river points(LU8, HT4, PC5, SP5, KI7, LR4) on the changes in the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS, and NE in rats. Methods : The Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups each non-acupuncture and acupuncture group. We inserted needle and retained for 5 minutes on both left and right sides of LU8, HT4, PC5, SP5, KI7, LR4 which were the river points of five transport points for 6 yin meridian vessels. After that, blood was drawn via cardiac puncture, and tissues for each point near meridian vessels were extracted to examine the changes in the changes of nNOS, eNOS, iNOS and NE. Results : The LU8 and HT4 group showed a significant decrease on nNOS. In terms of eNOS and iNOS, the LU8 group decreased significantly while the KI7 group increased significantly. However, the experimental groups didn't show any significant changes on the plasma and tissue norepinephrine without plama NE in SP5 group. Conclusions : The effect on the nNOS, iNOS, eNOS of acupuncture at LU8 and KI7 could be observed, and it is considered that the effect of acupuncture related with on nervous system could be studied by additional researches based on this one.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.97-109
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• 2010

Objective : To examine whether any correlation between tendency towards depression and tenderness at special acupuncture points exists, thus to explore the potential diagnostic property of acupuncture points. Methods : A total 31 subjects were included in this study. They filled out questionnaires about their mental [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Profile of Mood States (POMS)] and physical (fatigue due to overexertion, and food accumulation) symptoms. Identical weight around Alarm points (CV17, CV12, ST25, CV5, CV4, and LR13) and transport points (BL14, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL25, and BL27) was given using an algometer and the subjects rated their pain on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also measured. Results : The subjects were divided into two groups, normal and depressive tendency groups with a cut-off point of nine on BDI. The depressive tendency group reported significantly higher values in SRI, POMS, and questionnaire for fatigue due to overexertion. In the pressure pain measurement, depressive tendency group had more pressure pain at CV12, left side of BL20, BL14, BL22 and both sides of BL21, BL25, BL27, significantly (each p<0.05). The data of HRV did not show significant differences between groups. Conclusions : People with a tendency towards depression may be prone to stress, negative mood, and fatigue due to overexertion. In addition, they may be more likely to develop tenderness at alarm points and transport points compared with healthy people. Further research is needed to confirm this finding.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.114-122
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• 1991

Hypertension is not the name of disease but that of syndrome, about which the record of causes and treatments did not exist in the classics. So I surveyed the oriental medical category of hypertension in the classics and studied on the causes and principal acupuncture points of treatment in the modern literature. And a result, I came to the following conclusion. 1. According to the category of hypertension in oriental medicine way, WIND(風), FIRE(火), PHLEGM(痰) were the evoked causes of hypertension. And the greater oart of hypertension's line in the classics was related to DIZZINESS(眩暈), APOPLEXY(中風), WIND OF THE LIVER(肝風). 2. There were exceedingly various causes such as inheritance, mind, emotion, change of nerve, other disease, etc. 3. In the treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion, there were Zusanli(足三里), Quchi(曲池), Fengchi(風池), Baihui(自會), Hegu(合谷), Sanyinjiao(三陰交), Taichong(太衝) which, 7 acupuncture points, showed high ratio. 4. According to the evoked causes, the major acupuncture points became to be different as follow; FIRE(火) : Neiguan(內關 ; P6) WIND(風) : Fengchi (風池 ; G20), Yanglingquan (陽陵泉 ; G34), Taichong(太衝 ; Liv3) PHLEGM(痰) : Zusanli(足三里 ; S36); Sanyinjiao(三陰交 ; Sp6). Basing on the Literature research, I have studied hypertension. I found that there were objective studies on the causes. But I couldn't find any objective study on the category of hypertension in oriental medicine way and the treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion. So I think that more profound study on the category and the interrelation between the acupuncture points of treatment and its dis tribution of the 14 meridians deserves to be continued from now on.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.176-181
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• 2018

Background: Low electrical impedance at acupoints is a familiar concept, and it has also been found that this increases with poor organ function. Kovich hypothesizes that organ states are communicated to their related acupoints in real time, and this experiment set out to test this. Methods: The electrical impedance at 4 digestion-related acupuncture points (acupoints) was recorded over a 14-hour period and a food diary was recorded. The readings were taken in 23 sessions, between which the participant continued his usual daily routine. Results: The impedance at all the monitored acupoints varied considerably throughout the day, and the peaks were aligned with periods of high stomach activity. Conclusion: Variations in stomach function produced corresponding variations in the impedance at key stomach-related acupoints. However, the experiment was limited in that samples were only taken at around 30-minute intervals, and further investigations are needed to explore this phenomenon in more detail.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment studies of tic disorder in traditional chinese medicine. Methods : We reviewed the 16 studies about acupuncture treatment of tic disorder which were published from 2005 through 2007. We selected those studies from CNKI(中國知識基礎設施工程 http://www.cnki.net). Results : Selected 16 studies were divided into 8 case reports and 8 control studies. CCMD(6 studies) and DSM(4 studies) were frequently used in the diagnosis of tic disorder. Acupuncture points frequently used were 百會(Baekhoe, $GV_{20}$), 太衝(Taechung, $LR_3$), 風池(Pungji, $GB_{20}$), 合谷(Hapgok, $LI_4$), 神門(Sinmun, $HT_7$), 三陰交(Sameumgyo, $SP_6$), 內關(Naegwan, $PC_6$) and so on. According to specific parts of symptom, some acupuncture points were added. Most of studies reported that acupuncture treatments of tic disorder were very effective. Conclusions : There have been reported many acupuncture treatment studies of tic disorder in traditional chinese medicine. We believe that these studies could be applied to the clinical practices in Korea.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.748-752
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• 2010

There are many hypothesis about mechanism of acupuncture, and the relationship between acupuncture stimulation and autonomic nervous system(ANS) is one of the powerful hypothesis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between acupuncture stimulation and ANS. We searched the literature and reports related with acupuncture stimulation(meridian system, meridian points) and autonomic nervous system. And we concluded acupuncture stimulation can control autonomic nervous system. We reviewed studies that contributed to an understanding of the autonomic mechanisms of acupuncture with the hope that this review will be of benefit to the acupuncture treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.169-178
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• 2008

Objectives : Dong-si acupuncture therapy is being widely used because of good clinical result. The purpose of this study was to compare the location and efficacy of Dong-si acupoints and 14 meridian acupoints. Conclusions : 1. Dong-si acupoints on the lower extremity total 83. Among them, 16 acupoints are the same as 14 meridian acupoints. 2. Between the same location points, the efficacy of each Dong-si acupoints is similar to that of each of the 14 meridian acupoints in cases of musculoskeletal pain diseases, paralytic diseases, urogenital diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases. 3. Dr. Dong studied deeply into the 14 meridian acupoints and created Dong-si acupuncture therapy. He said that the distribution of acupuncture points was closely related to the 14 meridians. 4. I think that we are able to apply Dong-si acupuncture therapy to clinical use widely by comprehending the character of the 14 meridian acupoints and each meridians.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.127-142
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• 2015

Objectives : Through the comparative study on cases of acupuncture therapy in Sanhanlun(傷寒論), it would be expected to comprehend the theory of acupuncture for external contraction(外感). Methods : It has been done to analyse provisions of Sanghanlun, Hwangdineijing(黃帝內經), Nanjing(難經) related with acupuncture, and to compare the symptoms reported in Hwangdimingtangjing(黃帝明堂經) to Shanghanlun. Results : Most symptoms of the acupuncture points in Shanghanlun correspond with those in Hwangdimingtangjing. Visceral manifestation theory could explain the reason why some acupuncture points in Shanghanlun were selected, but Meridian theory could in 1 case only. Some provisions show that acupuncture was treated to increase the effect of medicines and the others to replace medicines. Conclusions : The main principle to select acupuncture in Shanghanlun were the effectiveness of each point and visceral manifestation. Acupuncture was tried to increase or replace the effect of medicines.