Korean Journal of Acupuncture

Society for Meridian and Acupoint (경락경혈학회)
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Improvement of Thoracic Spine-Originated Dyspnea and Chest Tightness Through Acupotomy and Breathing Therapy: A Case Report

침도치료와 호흡법 교정을 통한 흉추 기원성 호흡곤란 및 흉부압박감 개선 증례보고

  • Jiwon Park (College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Jungtae Leem (Department of Diagnostics, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Gawon Choe (Sandol Korean Medicine clinic) ;
  • Hanbit Jin (Department of Diagnostics, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University)
  • 박지원 (원광대학교 한의과대학) ;
  • 임정태 (원광대학교 한의과대학 진단학 교실) ;
  • 최가원 (산돌 한의원) ;
  • 진한빛 (원광대학교 한의과대학 진단학 교실)
  • Received : 2024.10.18
  • Accepted : 2025.01.08
  • Published : 2025.03.27
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Abstract

This case demonstrates the diagnostic process and management of thoracic spine-originated dyspnea and chest tightness caused by thoracic breathing, treated with acupotomy. A female patient in her early 40s presented with dyspnea (dyspnea scale 4) and left-sided chest tightness (NRS 8). Pulmonary function tests and echocardiography conducted at a tertiary hospital were reported as normal, ruling out cardiac and pulmonary causes. The patient was identified as a thoracic breather, and tenderness was found in the Huatuojiaji (EX-B2) points of the thoracic spine, leading to a diagnosis of thoracic spine-originated dyspnea caused by thoracic breathing. Acupotomy utilizing a newly developed adhesiolysis technique normalized breathing (dyspnea scale 0) and reduced chest tightness (NRS 1). Breathing therapy was added to prevent recurrence. A 4-week follow-up showed no recurrence or adverse effects. This case highlights the importance of considering musculoskeletal factors in the evaluation of dyspnea and demonstrates acupotomy's potential as an effective, safe intervention.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by a National research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (No. RS-2022-NR072366). This research was also supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (No. RS-2023-00261934).

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