• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.10-23
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• 2000

Four-constitutional theory proposed by Dr. Lee, Je-ma has been evolve for last 100years by his followers. One of the major progresses was the emergence of constitutional acupuncture proposed by Dr. Kwan Doh-won. Constitutional acupuncture included the new pulse diagnostic method to determine the body type, pulse diagrams and corresponding acupuncture method called five element acupuncture in which five-element points in 12 meridian channels are used. Dr. Sa-ahm proposed five-element acupuncture three and a half hundred years age. Conjunction of Dr Lee's theory to Dr. Kwan proposed eight constitutions with eight pulse diagrams. He also adopted eight acupuncture prescriptions out of twenty-four Sa-ahm's acupuncture prescriptions. The author, Dr. Yom Tae-hwa, proposed more inclusive theory of 24 constitutions with 24 diagnostic pulse diagrams in Las Vegas International Acupuncture Convention in 1986. This article reviews history of constitutional medicine briefly. Each step of theoretical evolution from four-constitutional theory to twenty-four-constitutional theory is explained. By understanding the theoretical connection between twelve meridian channels based on five-element theory and four-constitutional theory in the article, one will easily accept the emergence of twelve of twenty four constitutional theory. Next, the article is focused on four subcategories under Sao-Yin constitution, which are one-sixth of 24 constitution. in this section classification, pulse diagnostic method, pulse diagram acupuncture prescriptions and herbal prescriptions are explained in detail. Then, clinical trial reports of acupuncture treatment and/or herbal formulas for such constitutions are attached for the rest part of the article. the purpose of this paper is to present the new hypothesis with the result of preliminary clinical trial hoping that additional clinical reports from other practitioners in this field triggers well-designed clinical study in future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1397-1402
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• 2008

As eight constitution acupuncture began to be applied in clinics, the acupuncture method and the method of differentiating constitution became widely known. However, no official principles of composing acupuncture prescriptions have been established so far. Therefore, this study examined unique and novel interpretations among a variety of theories on the composition of acupoints of eight constitution medicine. The basic principles of the general formula of unit prescription discussed in the study are that the compatibility and incompatibility of the five elements is acknowledged not in one way but in interactive way, and that when an energy shown in the compatibility and incompatibility chart of five elements is tonified, its two neighboring competible energies are tonified due to the effects of compatibility. On the other hand, two other energies which are incompatible with the energy and exist on the opposite side of it are sedated due to the effect of incompatibility. In contrast, when an energy is sedated, its two neighboring competible energies are sedated while two other energies in incompatible with it are tonified. In addition, eight constitution acupuncture could be explained as a variant of Saam acupuncture. It is unfortunate that there exist no established theory but hypotheses with regard to the composition of acupoints of eight constitution acupuncture. It is expected that young scholars will produce better results if they continue researching eight constitution acupuncture.