• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.49-63
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• 2021

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the trend in treating fracture with acupuncture and to evaluate the quality of case reports. Methods All case reports of fractures treated with acupuncture were extracted from four Korean web databases. We classified these studies by five fracture sites and investigated frequently used meridian and acupoint, outcome measurements, treatment period. And we assessed the quality of the case reports by the STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines. Results A total of 33 case reports were included. The outcome measurements were divided into six categories, and the outcome measurements used in more than three studies showed improvement in patient symptoms. The mainly used meridians for each fracture site were as follows: chest and abdomen (GB, LR, CV), back (BL, GB), upper limb (LI, TE), lower Limb (GB, ST, BL, SP). The most commonly used acupoints for each fracture site were as follows: chest and abdomen (Ashi points, GB24, GB25, GB26, LR13, LR14, CV16, CV17, CV18, CV19), back (BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, BL51, BL52, BL60, GB34), upper limb (LI4, LI10, LI11, TE3), lower limb (GB34, GB40). According to the STRICTA guidelines, more than 54.54% of the reports were found to be 'not reported' or 'not sufficient' in the following categories: 'response sought', 'description of participating acupuncturist', and 'number of needle insertions per subject per session'. Conclusions The meridians and acupuncture points frequently used for acupuncture treatment of fractures were near the fracture site. Future clinical studies involving acupuncture must be reported in accordance with the STRICTA guidelines to improve transparency and uniformity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to present clinical utility of therapeutic exercise on the neck and shoulder parts based on the movement system impairment syndrome(MSIS) as Dong-Qi therapy of the Dong-Si Acupuncture and was to examine which Dong-Si acupoints were most effective and non-invasive when performing therapeutic exercise of the MSIS. Methods : Totally eight therapeutic exercises correspondent to eight neck and shoulder MSIS were summarized and tabulated from the Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndrome and Movement System Impairment Syndromes Of The Extremities, Cervical and Thoracic Spines by Sahrmann SA. Together with the MSIS summaries, acupuncture points and Dong-Qi therapy were summarized and tabulated from Yangweijiequanji 1 and Yangweijiequanji 2 by Yangweijie. According to the posture and movement of the MSIS exercise, effective and non-invasive acupoints were selected. Thereafter, clinical pilot study which five normal volunteers participated in were performed to examine whether these acupoints resulted in any side effects of acupuncture therapy such as pain and distortion of the needle during the MSIS exercises. Results : Through clinical pilot study, ZhongZi, ZhongXian, ZhengJin, ZhengZong and MuLiu in a sitting position, and HuaGuYi, ZhongZi and ZhongXian in a supine position were finally determined as safe and non-invasive Dong-Si acupoints to treat cervical pain. In terms of shoulder pain, ZuQianJin, ZuWuJin, HuaGuEr and JianZhong in a supine position, SiHuaZhong, ZuQianJin, ZuWuJin, QuLing, JianZhong, ShenGuan and JiuLi in a standing position, and ZuQianJin, ZuWuJin, HuaGuEr, QuLing and JianZhong in a prone position were finally accepted as safe and non-invasive Dong-Si acupoints. Conclusion : It is concluded that Dong-Si acupoints can be safely and non-invasively used together with therapeutic exercises of the MSIS to treat cervical and shoulder pains.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.76-87
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• 2001

Objective : Zusanli(ST36) and Hoku(Li4) are analgesic acupuncture points frequently used for acupuncture in Oriental medicine. The present study was conducted to see the antinociceptive effects produced by electroacupuncture combined two frequencies(Low, High) and two different acupuncture points(LI4, ST36) in the rat tail flick test. Method : In this study the Rats (Sprague-Dawley, 250-300g) were partially anesthetized with thiopental sodium(40mg/kg, i.p.). The basal reaction time for the tail-flick was 3${\pm}$0.5 sec. Low frequency(3Hz, 5V, biphasic) and high frequency(100Hz, 5V, biphasic) were applied to the inserted needle for the period of insertion(twenty minutes). Experimental groups are divied as follow; a) electroacupuncture stimulation groups at Hoku with or high frequency(L-EA, H-EA), b) electroacupuncture stimulation groups at Zusanli with low or high frequency(1-EA, h-EA), c) low frequency at Hoku and Zusanli(LIEA), d) low frequency at Hoku and high frequency at Zusanli(LhEA), e) high frequency at Hoku and low frequency at Zusanli(HIEA), f) high frequency at Hoku and Zusanli(HhEA) Results : The individual stimulation at either Hoku or Zusanli with low frequency has stronger and longer analgesic effect than high frequency stimulation. In addition, the combined stimulation at Hoku and Zusanli with low frequency has superior effect to individual stimulation with low frequency. LhEA and LIEA have superior effect to other stimulation groups among the combined groups. In order to determine the involvement of opioid system on the different antinociceptive effects, Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, was used in the combined groups. LIEA is the most sensitive when naloxone was administrated among study groups. HhEA is the least sensitive in the administration of naloxone. Conclusion : From results, this study confirmed that the opioid system is involved in analgesic effect of low frequency stimulation of acupuncture point, and we also can suggest the stronger analgesic effect of combining stimulation points is due to the theory of spatial summation in the nervous system.

• 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 Pharmacopuncture
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.109-117
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• 2001

Objective : There has been no known report on the pain shock after administering Korean bee-venom therapy. Three accounts of pain shock were observed at the Sangji university affiliated Oriental medicine clinic from July 2001 through September 2001. This thesis will inform clinical progression and cautions on administering Korean bee-venom therapy. Methods: We were able to witness different patterns of pain shock during the treatment of degenerative knee joint, progressive oral paralysis, and A.L.S. In order to reduce heat toxicity of the bee venom, needling points were first massaged with the ice for 10 minutes before injecting $0.1{\sim}0.2cc$ of the bee venom. Points of injection were ST36, LI11, LI4 and others. Pain shock occurred after injecting on inner xi-an, outer xi-an and LI4. The phenomena associated with pain shock was recorded in chronological order and local changes were examined. Results: Through examining 3 patients with the pain shock, we managed to observe clinical progression, duration, and time linked changes on specific regions. We also managed to determine sensitive needling points for the pain shock. Conclution: Following results were obtained from 3 patients with the pain shock caused by Korean bee-venom therapy from July 2001 to September 2001. 1. Either positive or negative responses were shown after the pain shock. For case 1, extreme pain was accompanied with muscular convulsion and tremble, ocular hyperemia, delirium, stiffening of extremities, and hyper ventilation which all suggest positive responses. For case 2 and 3, extreme pain was accompanied with facial sweating, asthenia of extremities, pallor face, dizziness, weak voice, and sleepiness which are the signs of negative responses. 2. The time required to recover to stable state took nearly an hour (including sleeping time) and there was no side effect. 3. Precautions required to prevent the pain shock includes full concentration from the practitioner, accurate point location, precise amount of injection, physiological condition and psychological stability of the patient 4. Coping with the pain shock should be similar with a needle shock, and since extreme pain is accompanied, sufficient psychological rest must be provided. 5. Pain shock occurs because the patient cannot tolerate stimulation on the needling point. Thus, symptoms were similar to the needle shock in addition to excruciating pain. Further investigation and research must be done to have better understanding of an immune response and the pain shock associated with Korean bee-venom therapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.75-82
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• 2018

Purpose : The present study tested the hypothesis that acupressure at Zusanli(ST36) would attenuate immobilization-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Methods : The left hind limb was immobilized using casting tape (ST36 group, n=10), and the animals were then treated daily with a pressure needle at ST36. Ten untreated animals with hind limb immobilization and no treatment served as a control group (n=10). After 2 weeks of immobilization, The body weight changes of rats were evaluated and the morphologies of the right and left gastrocnemius muscles in both the ST36 and control groups were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) of gastrocnemius muscles were observed. Results : The acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli conferred significant protection against reductions in left gastrocnemius muscle weights and average cross-sectional muscle areas in the ST36 group as compared with those in the control group. Moreover, the acupressure at the ST36 point significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in the gastrocnemius muscles as compared with that in the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli provides protection against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by decreasing MDA activity in gastrocnemius muscles.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1157-1176
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• 2003

The following conclusions are induced from a study on the acupuncture therapy depending on hyungsang of the persons. The study is made on the basis of 'Internal classic (內經)& and &Clinical Lectures by Dr. Jeesan&. The acupuncture originated from the treatment of spasm with numbness in the southern area. The acupuncture is basically a remedy for the exterior disease of meridian but also it can be a cure for the interior disease of Jang and obstinate disease with accurate method. Three mechanisms of acupuncture are described in 'Internal classic'. The first is to make meridian circulate smoothly. The second is to regulate Ki and Hyul. The third is to regulate points through which the meridian-Ki goes in and out smoothly or adversely. There are two ways of acupuncture in 'Internal classic'. One is based on pulse and symptom and the other on the Hyungsang. The former is more generally used therapy, to which depletion method, Asi point method(阿是穴 療法), Inyoung-kigu pulse comparison method (人迎氣口脈法) and method depending on jang-bu disease belong. Acupuncture is done on Su points(輸穴) and back-su point(背兪穴) in case of jang-disease. In case of bu-disease, the treatment is done on Hap points(合穴) and Mo-points(募穴). The latter includes two methods; one according to invariable Hyungsang. And the other to variable Hyungsang. The method of acupuncture according to invariable Hyungsang usually selects Won-points(原穴). Different Hyungsang requires different method of acupuncture; In case of Dam type, the acupuncture is mainly practiced on four-Kwan points with reinforcing and reducing methods achieved by the direction of the needle tip pointing to. In case of Bangkwang type, the acupuncture is usually done on Jungwan(中脘) and Poongyung(豊隆) with reinforcing and reducing methods by means of respiration. In case of female, more effective are the acupoints on the right and lateral parts of the body selected on the basis of five su-points of the twelve meridians matching the heavenly stems and earthly branches. In case of male, more effective are the acupoints on the left, front and rear parts of the eight extra meridians. In case of acupuncture to the person with Hyungsang of five jang and six bu, each person's intrinsic Hyung, color, pulse, must be observed. Because symptoms of jang-bu disease also must be checked up. Acupuncture is done on the Won-points of the meridians related to the jang and bu where the disease starts. The disease of five jang is so obstinate that it requires both of medication and acupuncture for a long time. In case of acupuncture to the person with Hyungsang of animal types, diagnosis is made on the basis of shape, temper, function and color. And the treatment is given on the Won-points of corresponding exterior and interior meridians. For the fish type, the acupuncture is done on the kidney meridian of foot-soyin and the urinary bladder of foot-taiyang. For the bird type, on the heart meridian of hand-soyin, the pericardium meridian of hand-gualyin, and the small intestine meridian of hand-taiyang For the deer type, on the liver meridian of foot-gualyin and the gallbladder meridian of foot-soyang. For the turtle type, on the lung meridian of hand-taiyin and the large intestine meridian of hand-yangmyung.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.187-208
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• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.105-129
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to obtain basic data about the effects of Constitution-Acupuncture (CA) based on Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) by the expert CA Oriental Medical Doctors. Methods: The resources were collected from the internet survey method. 35 samples were collected. The SPSS 13.0 for windows and Answer Tree 3.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The results from this research are as follow. 1. The motivation that apply ECM to clinic are 'Because ECM is effective for diagnosis, treatment and prevention against disease' 48.6% and 'Because CA therapy is effective' 25.7%. 2. The advantage that CA therapy compare to the other acupuncture therapy are 'Management and prevention against disease are available by ECM theory to a person who exact constitution is confirmed' 82.9%, 'CA therapy is superior in treatment of hard symptoms to treat by the other acupuncture therapy' 80%, 'Treatment effect is good' 77.1%, 'Needle manipulation of CA is simple comparatively' 57.1%, 'It is definite whether treatment effect is good or not' 54.3% and CA therapy is superior all in diseases of twelve category. 3. When the effects of CA is good, patients expressed much 'Eyesight lightened', 'Took deep sleep at night', 'Fatigue decreased', 'Body is light', 'Feelings became refreshing' as well as 'Symptoms were improved' and also physicians confirmed as those reactions whether treatment is effective. Conclusions: The research suggest that CA is effective therapy in clinic, and so further study is needed for CA therapy.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.25-30
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the single-dose intravenous toxicity of Guseonwangdo-go glucose 20% pharmacopuncture. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five males and five females per group: an intravenous (IV) injection of 1.0 mL of normal saline solution per animal was administered to group 1 (G1, control group); an IV injections of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL of Guseonwangdo-go glucose pharmacopuncture per animal were administered to experimental groups 2, 3, and 4 (G2, G3, and G4), respectively. General symptoms, body weights, hematological and biochemical test results, and necropsy histopathological observation were recorded in all groups. In the statistical analyses, significance was determined by using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was 0.05 in all comparisons. Results: For 14 days, no deaths or abnormalities were observed in any of the 4 groups. The body weights of all groups continuously increased during the observation period. In the hematological test, the WBC count was significantly increased in female rats of G4 compared to the control group, but this difference was considered not to be statistically meaningful. No significant biochemical changes were observed. On necropsy, crust formation was observed in one rat of the control group, and granulation tissues were observed around the injection site in one rat of G4; these changes were concluded to have been caused by injection of the needle into a vein. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the lethal dose of Guseonwangdo-go glucose pharmacopuncture is more than 1.0 mL per animal in both male and female rats. Thus, we can conclude that Guseonwangdo-go glucose pharmacopuncture injection is relatively safe to use in acute toxicity tests. Further studies are needed to establish more detailed evidences of its toxicity.