• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the general distribution and the efficacy of oriental medical treatment for low back pain. Methods: We have selected of the moxa bucket moxibustion. We make a comparative study of the thermodynamic characteristics of moxa bucket moxibustion. We examined combustion times, temperatures, temperature gradients in each period during a combustion of moxa bucket moxibustion made by oak wood. Results : The 80 cases of low back pain patients was analyzed according to the distribution of sex, age, the period of disease, contributing factor, the patient-condition on admission, the symptom on admission, the duration of admission, the reading of the X-ray and the treatment efficacy was evaluated respectively. 1. Female was more than male in the ratio of 1:1.2, and thirties and seventies 25% the most, the acutest phase 46.3% the most, reason unknown 33.8% the most, Grade III 50% the most, L.B.P. only 51.3% the most, the day of 6-10 30% the most, compression Fx 30% the most. 2. In the total treatment result, the good was 51.3%, the excellent 22.5%, the fair 17.5%, the poor 8.8% in order. About 'the effective rate'(the percentage of positive effective treatment cases) of each distribution, the fifties 100% the most, the acutest phase 97.3% the most, the slip down, weight lifting, overuse 100% the most respectively, Grade III 97.5% the most, L.B.P. only 95.1% the most, the day of 11-15 100% the most, HN.P. 93.3% the most. Conclusions : We have known the efficacy of oriental medical treatment for L.B.P. was good and early treatment was better than late treatment and main cause of L.B.P. was degenerative change.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.233-238
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• 2002

Moxibustion is one of major healing technique in oriental medicine. It has been widely used in many diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto disease, breech presentation, etc. However, till now, effects of moxibustion on NK cell activity and relations between sympathetic nerve system(SNS) and the immune alteration induced by moxibustion were not well studied. This study was designed to evaluate effects of moxibustion on NK cell activity and the intervention of SNS in the alteration of NK cell activity induced by moxibustion. Splenic NK cytotoxity was measured in a standard 4-h 51Cr release assay. We measured the NK cytotoxity at after moxibustion stimulation for 1,3,5, and 7 days, and also measured the NK cell cytotoxity after 3 and 7 days burn stimulation with similar temperature. IL-2, IL-4, INF-γ in serum were measured by rat IL-2, IL-4, INF-γ ELISA TEST KIT. To evaluate the effects of sympathectomy on alteration of NK cell cytotoxity, 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA : 5Omg/kg) was used. We showed that NK cell activity of moxibustion stimulation group increased at the 3rd day, and declined at 7th day in comparison with that of contol group. In moxibustion stimulation group, NK cell activity of 3 day stimulation group was significantly higher than sham group. On the contrary, in burn stimulation group, NK cell activity was significantly higher than that of sham groups at 3rd, 7th days. Patterns between moxibustion and burns were different. INF- γ level of 3 days moxibustion stimulation group significantly higher than sham group. IL 2 level among groups were not different. IL-4 was not detected in serum with this method. Sympathectomy abolished the NK cell activity alteration induced by moxibustion. The results suggest that moxibustion induces the alteration of NK cell activity, along with INF-γ and SNS is related to these effects.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.21-38
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• 2004

Objectives : Moxibustion has been become very useful tool to prevent and treat various diseases with acupuncture in oriental medicine. Expecially, moxibustion combining the heat stimulation and chemical stimulation of Artemisiae Argyi has a non-invasive characteristics comparing to the other therapeutic tools. However, because the moxibustion makes the patient's skin be burn by the combustible feature of moxibustion, most of people have been scared of being scald. Methods : In this study, we have developed new non-combustible moxibustion tools in collaboration with company (Hana Medical, co. and ICURE, co.) and tested the efficacy through effects of moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ on the abdominal thermography of health subject. The non-combustible moxibustion has main characteristics of controlled heating to inhibit being scald and heat stimulation lasting over 1 hrs. Also, to induce the chemical stimulation, the bottom contacting with skin was coated by the extract of artemisiae argyi. The volunteers who participating in this study had taken rest for 20 - 30 mins in room temperature $(23-25^{\circ}C)$ before the examination and informed them what to prohibit smoking, drinking and administration of drug for the previous day The thermography of abdomen including a below part of the chest was taken using Infra-Red Imaging System (IR 2000, MEDI-CORE Co., Korea) by time interval of 15 minutes. Results : The results showed that moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ had more potencies of changes on all the ROIs of abdominal thermography than those of control group. Also, it was observed that the quantities of thermal changes following moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ been increased significantly comparing that of control group at all the ROIs (region of interest). Observed the thermography classified by ROI, however, moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ could modulate ipsilateral specific areas concerning to the abdominal pathway of Stomach Meridian. Conclusion : These results suggest that new non-combustible moxibusion has some similarity as like as the conventional moxibustion and moxibustion of Cheon-chu $(ST_{25})$ may modulate thermal changes of abdominal areas.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.103-110
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• 2012

Objectives : Fire needling has been applied as the treatment for various diseases and been getting much attention from Oriental medicine due to its excellent effectiveness as the results of clinical studies have reported. However, the research findings on the safety of treatment method, materials for the Fire needling needle materials and the possibility of burn injury during the procedure are still insufficient. Methods : A thermo imaging camera was used to confirm the temperature distribution on acupuncture needle and the treatment area during the fire needling therapy. Then the degree of thermal injury was observed by H&E stain and TUNEL assay. In addition, in order to assess the safety of acupuncture materials, we conducted MTT assay using a L6 cell line. Results : The average temperature of the skin surface was observed at $47{\sim}51^{\circ}C$ after classic fire needling and $30^{\circ}C$ after warming fire needling. Warming fire needling therapy does not induce a burn on the tissue and a third degree burn was observed locally in the muscle and skin layers after classic fire needling treatment. This confirms that hwa-acupuncture therapies do not cause major burns. According to the safety assessment test result, no cytotoxicity was detected in the warming fire needling materials. This confirms the safety of the acupuncture materials Conclusions : Various research results on the biological safety of fire needling. Since fire needling therapy induces a burn locally without leaving any scar, and as other results indicate, it is considered a safe treatment method.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.241-249
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the patients with compressive neuropathy of the radial nerve(Saturday Night Palsy), who was improved by acupuncture and Sweet Bee Venom(SBV) treatment. Methods & Results : The patients were hospitalized or outpatient in Dept. of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, traditional korean medical hospital, Sangji University from 1st, Dec. 2008 to 30th June 2009, and treated with acupuncture, SBV, electrical stimulation therapy and herbal medication therapy. To evaluate the wrist drop and numbness of fingers, coding result(Arbitrary values used to evaluate result) and digital infrared thermal image, which was well defined diagnostic tool estimating skin surface temperature difference, were used. As a result, patient symptoms were improved remarkably. Conclusions : Patients were treated during 6 weeks in average. 2 cases were excellent and 1 case was evaluated good result by the acupuncture, Sweet Bee Venom, electrical stimulation therapy.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2005

Objectives : We studied to discover the patterns of DITI of the patients having a both neck and upper extremity pain on one side without any nerve root compression sign and the history of cervical disc herniation. Method : We selected 26 patients as an experimental group, who had visited for a both neck and upper extremity pain on one side without any nerve root compression sign, at the department of acupunture and moxibustion in Conmaul oriental medical hospital, during 2001. 01. - 2003. 09. And 31 normal adults were selected as a control group, not having any neck or arm pain and any history of cervical disease. We analyzed the segmental temperature statistically with t-test. Results & Conclusion : There was a significant change of temperatures in the scapula, posterior brachium, lateral forearm and dorsal hand area. And the experimental group showed cold spot and disruption of normal thermographic shape that were usually shown on the cervical sprain.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2006

Objectives: The aim of this syudy is to validate the between Assessment Instruments of Knee OA and digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) and to find out the methods to assess knee OA by DITI. Methods: 60 subjects were evaluated. They were asked to answer VAS pain scale, WOMAC, KHAQ and LFI. Correlation was assessed by examining the spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Results: VAS, WOMAC and LFI was correlated with not only the thermal difference between Ant. knee and Post. knee, but also the lowest temperature of Ant. knee. Conclusion: DITI value was useful for evaluating the degree of OA. And we should find out that decrease of pain is correlated with change of DITI value.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report a case of Brown-Sequard syndrome caused by traumatic cervical fracture, presenting pain in the right upper extremity and back of the left hand, motor weakness in the right side and diminished pain and temperature in the left side. Methods : A patient received Korean medical treatment(acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, Silver Spike point electrotherapy(SSP)) and rehabilitation treatment. We evaluated pain with the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), motor grade with a Medical Research Council(MRC) scale, sensory function and Modified Barthel Index(MBI). Results : After treatment, the patient showed considerable improvement in NRS, motor & sensory function, and MBI. Conclusions : Korean medical and rehabilitation treatments could be effective for Brown-Sequard syndrome patients. More extensive studies should be carried out.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.2206-2208
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• 2003

This paper is performed to find the effects on body heat by stimulating the skin with the heat of a moxibustion cauterizer and the Artemisia-lotion which cause the extension of the blood vessel. The Artemisia-lotion is made by extracting the vasodilator and antioxidant compounds from the $Artemisia-CH_2Cl_2$ fraction. The moxibustion cauterizer is constructed with a DC power supply and 3 heating electrodes with PTC(Positive Temperature Coefficients) thermistor. The stimulation temperature level of the moxibustion cauterizer is $45^{\circ}C\;-48^{\circ}C$. We gave the subjects the following stimulating conditions; only heat stimulation, only Artemisia -lotion stimulation, and both stimulations. The measurement of body heat was performed with a infrared thermography system . Finally we could estimate the effects of a betterment of circulation of the blood from $Artemisia-CH_2Cl_2$ fraction.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2005

Objectives and methods: We investigated 17 books to study symptoms, pathology and acupuncture & moxibustion treatment of Hu-Ro(fatigue). Results and Conclusions: 1. The symptoms of Hu-Ro are the deafness, the amblyopia, the mass of sweat, the stiff joint, etc. There are also symptoms such as the fever of palm and legs, avoiding cold temperature in the afternoon, the fever during night time, the stomach fullness and diarrhea, the powerlessness of limbs, red colored urine. 3. The representing pathological mechanisms of Hu-Ro are Yang-deficiency(陽虛), Yin-deficiency(陰虛), Energy(Qi)-deficiency(氣虛), Blood(Hyul)-deficiency(血虛). The other pathological mechanisms are deficiency of Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney and the basic Energy. 4. The fundamental treatment of Hu-Ro is "warming on worned ones(勞者溫之), supplying on damaged ones(損者益之), strengthening the weakened ones(虛卽補之)" as basis and also supplying blood with fostering spleen(養血建脾) and droping fever with clearing the clogged(降火淸鬱). 5. The meridians that could be used in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment application of Hu-Ro are the urinary bladder meridian, the conception vessel meridian(任脈), governor channel meridian(督脈), kidney meridian(腎經), liver meridian, heart meridian, spleen meridian, lung meridian, stomach meridian, small intestine meridian, gall bladder meridian, pericardium meridian and triple-warmer meridian in order of frequently refered. 6. The meridian points that could be used in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment application of Hu-Ro are Joksamni (足三里:25times), Sinsu(腎兪:20回), Bisu(脾兪:19回), Pyesu(肺兪:18回), Qihye(氣海:17回), Gohwang(膏肓:15回), Kwanwon(關元:14回), Sameumgyo(三陰交:13回), Eumgeuk(陰郄:12回), Daechu(大樞:12回), Sinmun(神門:11回), Simsu(心兪:11回), Nyegwan(內關:10回), Jungwan(中脘:10回) in order of frequently refered.