• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.431-440
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• 2012

Objectives : Recently, network science is very popular topic in various scientific fields and many studies have reported that it gives meaningful results on studying characteristics of a complex system. In this study, based on network theory, we made acupoints network using data of combined acupoints which appeared at "Beijiqianjinyaofang". We focused to find out the distinctive roles of remote and local combinations on the network. Furthermore, we aimed to identify the possibility of numerical and quantitative application to acupuncture researches. Methods : Based on examples of combined acupoints in "Beijiqianjinyaofang", the network consisted of 291 nodes and 2,431 links. The spatial distances between combined acupoints were calculated by the human dummy model. We removed the links step by step for the three cases - remote, local, and random cases, and observed the characteristic changes by calculating path lengths, similarity indices, and clustering coefficients. Also cluster analysis was carried out. Results : The network had a small number of remote links, and a large number of local links. These two links had the distinct characteristics. Whereas the local links formed a cluster of nearby nodes, remote links played a role to increase the correlation between the clusters. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupoints network increases the connectivity between the distal part and the trunk of human body, and enables various combinations of the acupoints. This finding conclusively showed that mechanism of combined acupoints could be interpreted meaningfully by applying network theory in acupuncture researches.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.227-242
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• 2008

Objectives : To compare the efficacy of local acupoint with distal acupuncture at relieving pain and improving function in knee osteoarthritis. Designs : A randomized, single-blinded, crossover clinical trial. Settings : One outpatient clinic(department of acupuncture & moxibustion) located in academic teaching hospital, South Korea. Patients : 17 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee(mean age 62.76[$SD{\pm}4.37$] years). Interventions : The trial had 4 stages : baseline(2weeks), phase I and II(each 2weeks), washout period(2weeks). Patients were randomly assigned to either group A or group B. Group A received acupuncture at local acupoints during phase I, then acupuncture at distal acupoints in phase II. Group B received the treatments in reverse order. In each phase, the patients were treated with acupuncture for 6 times. Measurements : The primary outcome was subjective pain as measured by a 100mm visual analogue scale(VAS) ranging from 0(no pain) to 10(worst pain ever). Secondary outcomes were changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) total and pain scores. Measurements were obtained at baseline, 1st day of phase I and II, and 2 days after last treatment of phase I and II. Results : The 17 participants in 2 groups were well matched for age, sex, target knees, baseline VAS score, WOMAC pain score and WOMAC score. Participants in local acupoint group experienced greater improvement than distal acupoint group at 2 days after last treatment in WOMAC total score(mean difference, -10.65[95% CI, -20.56 to -0.74] ; P=0.036) but not in VAS(mean difference, -12.41[95% CI, -29.56 to 4.73] P=0.15) and WOMAC pain score(mean difference, -1.82[95% CI, -3.98 to 0.33] ; P=0.094). Conclusions : Local acupoints are more effective than distal acupoints at relieving pain and improving function in knee osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1005-1013
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• 2001

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of low power GaAlAs laser on spinal Fos expression related to the anti-nociceptive effect of laser stimulation. Low power GaAlAs laser was applied to either acupoint or non-acupoint for 2 hour under light inhalation anesthesia. Spinal Fos expression in the dorsal horn was compared to that obtained in inhalation anesthesia control group. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of the local treatment of lidocaine on the spinal Fos expression evoked by low power GaAlAs laser stimulation. The results were summarized as follows: 1. In the normal animals, only a few Fos like immunoreactive(Fos-IR) neurons were evident in the lumbar spinal cord dorsal horn. Similarly, following prolonged inhalation anesthesia, Fos-IR neurons were absent in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord. In animals treated with laser stimulation, Fos immunoreactive neurons were increased mainly in the medial half of ipsilateral laminae I-III at lumbar segments L3-5. These findings directly indicated that prolonged anesthesia used in this study did not affect the Fos expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn of intact animals and low power laser stimulation dramatically produced Fos expression in the spinal cord laminae that are related to the anti-nociceptive effect of laser stimulation. 2. In acupoint stimulated animals, 10mW of laser stimulation, not 3mW and 6mW intensity, significantly increased the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons in the spinal dorsal horn(p<0.05). However, laser stimulation on acupoint more dramatically increased the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons in the spinal cord rather than laser stimulatin on non acupoint. These result suggested that laser stimulatin on acupoint was more effective treatment to activate the spinal neuron than non acupoint stimulation. 3. The local treatment of lidocaine totally suppressed the activity of spinal neurons that were induced by lower power 1aser stimulation. These data indicated that the anti-nociceptive effect of laser stimulation was absolutely dependent upon the peripheral nerve activity in the stimulated location. In conclusion, these data indicate that 10mW of low power laser stimulation into acupoint is capable of inducing the spinal Fos expression in the dorsal horn related to the anti-nociceptive effect of laser stimulation, Furthermore, the induction of spinal Fos expression was totally related to the peripheral nerve activity in the laser stimulated area.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2017

Objectives : The acupuncture about acupoint affects the production of NO, NOS, and NE.Local action of acupuncture is important for acupuncture treatment. To prove this, the revelation degree of NO, NOS, and NE was observed by stimulating the acupuncture at the connecting point of SP4, KI4, and LR5 in the depths of Superficial layer, Middle layer and Deep layer. Methods : Needles were inserted into rats, on each right and left sides of the connecting point, SP4, KI4 and LR5 acupoints which are the stream points of the foot meridian. After insertion, needles were retained for three minutes. After the retention, rat was sacrificed via cardiac puncture, and tissues of each SP4, KI4 and LR5 point near meridian vessel was extracted to examine the changes in the expression of NO, NOS and NE. Results : In terms of the effect in NO production, there was significant increase in the Superficial layer, Middle layer and Deep layer at KI4. In terms of the effect in NE production, there was significant decrease in the Superficial layer at SP4 and increase in the Superficial layer, Middle layer and Deep layer at LR5. In terms of the effect in nNOS production, there was significant increase in the Superficial layer, Middle layer and Deep layer at SP4 also in the Superficial layer at KI4. In terms of the effect in eNOS production, there was a significant increase in the Superficial layer, Middle layer and Deep layer at SP4, KI4 and LR5. In terms of the effect in iNOS production, there was significant increase in the Superficial layer, Middle layer and Deep layer at SP4, KI4 and LR5. Conclusions : The effect of acupuncture applied at the connecting point of six meridians of the foot on the activities of NO, NOS and NE could be observed, and it can be induced from the effect of needle stimulation on disrupted local and systemic nervous responses.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.244-253
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• 1997

This study was performed to evaluate the possibility of inducing analgesia by electroacupuncture stimulation at single acupoint or combined acupoints and to examine the analgesic effects following the combination of premedication and electroacupunrture analgesia(EA). Analgesia was induced by EA with the current of 1-4 volts and the frequency of 10-45 Hz to the acupoints Uown to be related to analgesia on the head/necIL axial part thoracic and pelvic limb. In Yi Feng acupoint of head/neck part pain responses were not disappeared after electroacupunrture stimulation to the head/necIL thoracic limbo thoraxl abdomen, loin, rear and pelvic limb. Pain responses were remained after EA of Tian Men-Tian Ping and Shen Yu arupoints of axial park whereas hypoalgesia was observed after EA of Tian Ping-Bai Hui acupoint in all parts of body. There was no analgesic effects after EA stimulation of the brachial plexus and Wai Kuan acupoint, whereas after EA stimulation of San Yang Lo, pain responses were disappeared in headfnecll, thoracic limb and pelvic limbo and in the other parts of body hypoalgesia was shown. In EA stimulation of Tsu San Li acupoint pain responses were disappeared in pelvic limb and in San Yin Chiao acupoint pain responses were disappeared in head/necIL thoracic and pelvic limb, and hypoalgesia was shown in abdomen. On the combination of San Yang Lo Pli Men) and San Yin Chiao (Pu Yan6 acupoints, pain response in heauneck was decreased in 5 minutes, whereas analgesia in thoracic and pelvic limb was induced after 20-30 minutes and in abdomen was noted after 50 minutes. The more frequrncy was increased, the more rapid analgesic e11%t was induced. The analgesic effects wert not good in laparotomy under EA at the combination of San Yang Lo (Xi Men) and San Yin Chiao (Pu Yang) arufoints. Enteroanastomosis could not be continued under acrpromazine, xylazine and diazepam with EA. However, under EA followed by tiletaminetzolazepam, the operation could be completed without additional anesthesia and the analgesic effects were good. There were no changes in clinical signs, hematological and serological values after combination of the premeditation of tiletamine+zolaEepam and EA. It is considered that EA alone is not suitable for the main surgery, but the combination method of EA and sedatives can be utilized in practice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.57-64
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy after acupuncture on local acupoints group and distal acupoints group for chronic neck pain. Design : A randomized, crossover clinical trial. Methods : From 15st, September 2010 to October 30th, 2010. 20 patients with chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to either group A or group B. Group A received acupuncture at local acupoints then after 1 week washout period acupuncture at distal acupoints. Group B received the treatment in reverse order. To evaluating efficiency and satisfaction, visual analog scale(VAS), neck disability index(NDI), cranio-cervical flextion test(C-CFT) and five-point likert scale were measured before and after each treatment. Results : Patients in local acupoints group experienced greater improvement than distal acupoints group in VAS. Both local acupoints group and distal acupoints group showed significant improvement in NDI but not in C-CFT and the NDI score change comparison between the two groups had no significance. Local acupoints group showed more effective than distal acupoints group on five-point likert scale. Conclusions : Local acupoints is more effective than distal acupoints in controlling pain in chronic neck pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.149-165
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• 2002

Objective : We proposed fundmental rules of prospective on legal and institutional position and role of Korean medicine doctors working at public health center. Methods : By the result of this research on the current situation, the grade and allowance given to the Korean medicine doctors working at public health center were different every self-governing body. Results : The reason the Korean Medicine Doctor can't serve as a regular order of 5th grade is that the 'The Enforcement Regulation about Administrative Organization and the Standard of Pixed Number of person of Self-Governing Body(지방자치단체의 행정기구와 정원기준등에 관한 규정 시행규칙)' prescribes the number of regular order of 5th grade is regulated within 7% among the number of regular order officials. But not appointing to office as the regular order of 5th grade infringes on the Constitution, the highest law. The reason the Korean Medicine Doctors can't be appointed to office as the regular order officials by the self-governing body is that 'The Enforcement Order of the Law of Preservation of good health of Local Area(지역보건법시행령)' prescribes the Korean Medicine Doctors are not indispensable to Public Health Center. But in fact, the Korean Medicine Doctors can execute many kinds of work such as medical examination or instructing house nursing. Conclusion : The Korean Medicine Doctors working at Public Health Center serve at low positions as daily use or common use, not receiving a regular order. All laws including the Constitution(헌법), the Medical Services Law(의료법), the Law of Preservation of good health of Local Area(지역보건법), the National Public Service Law(국가공무원법), the Local Public Service Law(지방공무원법) and the Law of Higher Education Law(고등교육법) describe that the Korean Medicine Doctors and the Western Medicine Doctors are equal to their position and right.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.92-99
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• 2002

Objectives : To investigate the role of Meridian flow on acupuncture effect, we observed the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) after Meridian blocking with pressure in arthritic rats. Methods : To make reliable and local monoarthritis, $40{\;}{\mu}l$ complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the tibio-tarsal joint. EA was applied on acupoint GB30 while 5 Pascal pressure was added to the middle of the Gall bladder Meridian around GB31 between acupoint GB30 and arthritic foci (ipsilateral meridian blocking: IB) or opposite part of IB (contralateral part blocking: CB). To observe the change of arthritis, extension and flexion pain scores and circumferential differences were evaluated once a week. Results : EA stimulation without blocking reduced arthritic pain significantly. IB abolished the acupuncture effects and there was no statistical difference with the arthritic control group, whereas the CB group still showed the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Conclusions : This finding strongly supports that the Meridian blocking with local pressure reduced the therapeutic effect of EA.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2018

Objectives : It is noted that Jukheon-Silheombang(Actual Formulas of Jukheon), is a rare book published by a private physician in 1950s. The study of this book is the data that can be used to see how the acupuncture of Huh-Im is inherited and performed in the local small towns right after the Korean War. Methods : Through the investigation of various literature data and interviews with the author's descendants, Jukheon-Silheombang's related figures, citation documents, book formation and content characteristics were descriptively analyzed. Results and Conclusions : Jukheon-Silheombang can be used to study characteristics of acupuncture treatments given in a small town in the late 1950s. It has the significance of preserving traditional acupuncture such as the Sakwan point method and inheriting the clinical utility of Chimgu-Kyungheombang(Acupucture & Moxibustion Skills Guide) of Huh-Im.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.563-572
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to suggest a new method to estimate the resistance by acupoint compositions by using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis(MF-BIA) of 5 kHz, 50 kHz and 200 kHz within 2 cm of acupoints as a local segment. Moreover, we try to confirm the relation to between measured resistance at skin surface and measured resistance by various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth. Methods : Ten male subjects participated in this study. We measured the resistance at left/right ST36 at skin surface and various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth(skin, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm). Results : It was also observed that the all measured resistances were the highest at 5 kHz and the lowest at 200 kHz. There were significant differences at 5 kHz, 50 kHz and 200 kHz between measured resistance at skin surface and measured resistance by various manual acupuncture needle insertion depth(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the left and right identical acupoints under the identical condition(p>0.05). Conclusions : We conclude that the measured resistance at skin surface has limitation as to reflect the information of tissue. However, the measured resistance at each frequency was changed as similar pattern by different insertion depth. Hence, we confirmed the possibility of assumption on information of tissue which was expected to locate an acupoint.