• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.64-72
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate whether warm-needling is more effective than acupuncture in relieving the pain and improving the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis(OA). Methods : 76 volunteers with knee OA participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received warm-needling(n=38), while the other group received acupuncture(n=38). Sixteen sessions of warm-needling or acupuncture were conducted on the pain region of each problematic knee over a period of 8 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) scores, physical health score based on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36) and the Global Assessment(PGA) was measured. Results : Compared to the acupuncture group, the warm-needling group showed a significant decrease in pain, function, and total WOMAC scores according to the Mann-Whitney U-test. The PGA scores of the warm-needling group also showed a significant improvement compared to the acupuncture group. Conclusions : Warm-needling showed a greater pain relief effect on knee OA compared to the acupuncture group. These findings suggest that warm-needling may be a promising alternative therapy for treating knee OA.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.109-115
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Many researches have studied warm needling technique to standardize its treatment by temperature measurement and material differences in the effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to compare the temperature changes of the acupuncture needle shaft during the combustion process of the moxa stick to determine the heat transfer pattern of the warn needling. Methods : A moxa stick($7{\times}8mm$) was connected to one side of the needle shaft using a stainless steel needle(ø 0.3 mm, ø 0.5 mm, ø 0.8 mm, shaft length 40 mm) with the needle handle removed. During the warm needling, temperature changes of the needle shaft were observed with an infrared camera(Flir E30) and an infrared thermometer(TESTO 845). Results : In the normal condition, heat transmit of needle shaft increased at spots 10 mm and 25 mm below the moxa stick. The amount of heat transmit increased with the diameter of needle shaft. However, when the heat shield was installed to exclude radiant heat from the moxa stick, heat transfer was less at 10 mm below the moxa stick and no temperature change was observed at 25 mm below the moxa stick. Heat transfer by warm needling does not reach the end of needle shaft even in ø 0.8 mm needle. Conclusions : It is suggested that the radiant heat of moxa stick results in the heat transmit of acupuncture needle shaft. Thus, radiant heat transmit must be considered as one of the heat transfer characteristics of the warm needling.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.20-29
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The objectives of this study is to compare the effects of electroacupuncture(EA), warm needling(WN) and Radio Frequency warm needling(RFWN) stimulations on the acupoints at the artificially damaged ankles of Sprague-Dawley rats, which could be classified as the Grade 3. Methods : The foot weight bearing force ratio(FWBFR) of ankle sprain was measured first at 24 hours after without any other stimulations. Pain Recovery Index(PRI) represents the analgesic level, and modified Pain Recovery Index(mPRI) shows the accumulated recovery level. PRI was measured at 2 hours after each stimulus on GB34, GB39 and GB42, and mPRI was during 7 days. Results : EA stimulation of GB34 and GB39 acupoint in grade 3 ankle sprain showed a marked analgesic and recovery effect. RFWN of GB42 exhibited significant analgesic and pain recovery effect. RFWN of GB34 resulted in pain recovery effect but not analgesic effects, and RFWN of GB39 resulted in analgesic effect 2 hours after but not pain recovery. However, WN did not affect the pain recovery among three acupoints at all. Conclusions : In the Grade 3 ankle sprain model, the difference of analgesic effects were explained by the acupoints and the stimulation methods according to the accumulated recovery effects during 7 days. It is insufficient to determine that a certain acupoint has a specific analgesic effect depending on the stimulation method by the results of this study. Therefore, the effects of each stimulation on the acupoints in any other meridians at the sprained ankle should be compared and analyzed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.65-75
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$ on Complete Freund's Adjuvant(CFA)-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by injecting CFA subcutaneously into the left knee joint and paw. Acupuncture(AT) and warm needling(W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) were injected at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, every other day for a total of 5 times beginning on day 10 after the CFA injection. Thereafter, external shape, paw edema, serum aminotransferase and anti-inflammatory factors were assessed, and hematological and histological observations were made. Results : In paw edema volume all 3 groups(AT, W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. In TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, all 3 groups showed significant decrease compared to CFA control group. In AST and ALT all 3 groups showed no significant change. In IL-$1{\beta}$, W-AT0.5 and W-AT1.0, groups showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. Leucocyte, erythrocyte and thrombocyte, all 3 groups showed no significant change. In histological observations, all 3 groups were similar to the intact group in terms of synoviocyte, cartilage lacuna and cartilage cells. Conclusions : The results suggest that warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, has the effect of suppressing inflammation of CFA-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of warm needling therapy in a patient with cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Methods : A 53-year-old Korean male patient diagnosed with cervical myelopathy due to ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament was treated with warm needling therapy on posterior neck aside from the routine inpatient treatment from June 26th to July 16th. Clinical improvement was evaluated with visual analogue scale(VAS), Japanese orthopedic score(JOA), grip and release test, finger escape sign and patient satisfaction was measured using a five-point Likert scale. Results : After 21 days of treatment, the patient showed improvement in VAS, JOA, grip and release test and finger escape sign. The patient also expressed satisfaction with the treatment. Conclusions : The results suggest that warm needling therapy may be an effective additional treatment for cervical myelopathy and other symptoms related to ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL). Further studies should be carried out regarding possible long-lasting effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.114-121
• /
• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the effects of warm needling in a patient with cancer who had chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: A 46-year-old Korean female outpatient diagnosed with malignant ovarian cancer was treated with warm needling therapy on the foot acupuncture points for CIPN. Neuropathic symptoms and quality of life were assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and the functional assessment of cancer therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-NTX) score. Results: After 6 months of treatment, the patient showed a reduction in the severity of CIPN symptoms and an improvement in the quality of life, although the severity of symptoms fluctuated as the patient underwent chemotherapy sessions. Conclusion: This study suggests that warm needling may be an effective treatment for CIPN.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2008

Objectives: Warm-needling is a method combining the effects of acupuncture with the effects of moxibustion. We need to standardize the characteristics of warm-needling in order to achieve consistency in its operational mechanisms and effects, which will improve clinical ability in the field of Eastern medicine. Methods: In this study, using the LabVIEW system on the warm-needling technique, we measured and compared partial temperature changes which varied according to the density of the moxa cone and the moxa cone's core peak temperature. Results& Conclusions: Examination of the warm-needle's partial temperature in relation to the cone density of the 0.8g moxa specimen suggests that a lower density of the moxa cone corresponds to a higher peak temperature and but with a shorter duration. During the effective stimulus time, the lower the density of the moxa cone, the shorter the duration of the effective stimulus time and the higher the mean temperature. Conversely, the higher the density of the moxa cone, the longer the effective stimulus time and lower the mean temperature.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.181-187
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to introduce a case of osteochondral lesions of the left talus caused by ankle sprain and suggest complex traditional Korean medical care with warm needling therapy as a possible method of conservative treatment. Methods : A 20-year-old male with osteochondral lesions of the left talus complaining of ankle pain and restricted range of movement was treated mainly with warm needling therapy and other combined Korean medicine therapy from January 5, 2015 to January 12, 2015. Improvements of symptoms were measured by American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Score (AOFAS Score), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Range of movement (ROM). Results : During 8 days of treatment, the patient showed gradual improvement in AOFAS score, VAS at rest and at weight bearing position, as well as ROM of the ankle. Conclusion : According to the result, warm needling therapy is a possible conservative treatment for osteochondral lesions of the talus. Further studies are needed regarding possible longterm effects.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The warm needling technique is a combination of acupuncture and moxibustion. The purpose of this study was to find the physical and thermal characteristics in order to identify the effects and mechanisms of the warm needling technique. Methods : In this study, the thermal changes were observed with a testo 845 device, which is an infra-red thermometer specifically designed for measuring a combustion of corn shaped moxibustion(moxa-corn). The thermal changes at the apex of the moxa-corn placed on the top of the an acupuncture were observed at the level of 1 cm and 2 cm from the apex to understand heat conduction through acupuncture needle for combustion of moxa-corn. Results and Conclusions : The thermal conduction through acupuncture needle from the moxa-corn was relative to the weight of moxa-corn and was inversely relative to the distance of the moxa-corn and acupuncture needle length. And the value of thermal conduction to the apex of the acupuncture needle from the moxa-corn was about $3{\sim}5^{\circ}C$. The above results suggest that the present study may be useful in finding the mechanism and effects of the warming needling technique.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.625-642
• /
• 2022

Objectives: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common impairment of gastrointestinal motility and causes a delay in postoperative recovery, as well as an increased length of hospital stay, but no single strategy has a significant recuperative effect on POI. Studies of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) have reported improvements in bowel function after surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of TKM on postoperative ileus in gastric cancer patients. Methods: We used six databases to search for studies published from January 1, 2007, until May 11, 2022. The included studies were those reporting gastric cancer patients who received TKM treatment after gastrectomy through indicators related to POI. Results: The search identified 27 RCTs that used herbal medicine (Daegeonjung-tang and Gami-leejoongtang), herbal medicine combined with acupuncture (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, acupuncture and moxibustion, electroacupuncture, warm needling, transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA), low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation (LEAS), moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine as treatments for POI. The time to first flatus was shortened by herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). The time to the first defecation decreased significantly in response to the herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: TKM could be a promising option for preventing and resolving POI in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.