• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 2014

Objectives : To investigate the clinical results of patients who were diagnosed with grade II spondylolithesis treated with Korean medicine of relaxative Chuna and Gangchuk herbal medicine. Methods : We reviewed medical records of four patients diagnosed with grade II spondylolisthesis. Each patient has taken intensive Korean medical admission treatment at Mokhuri Hospital. All patients received treatments of Gangchuk herbal medicine, relaxative Chuna and acupuncture during admission period. Before treatment and every after 7-day treatment the patient's pain and walking distance without pain were assessed. The zero minimum to ten maximum pain numeric rating scale(NRS) was used to determine the degree of pain. Results : Average admission duration was 23 days. All the patients' NRS decreased from median figure of 7.5[the minimum 7 to the highest 8] to median figure of 1[the minimum 0 to the highest 2]. Walking distance without pain increased from a median of 55 m[the minimum 20 m to the highest 100 m] to median of 165 m[the minimum 100 m to the highest 250 m]. Conclusions : Intensive conservative korean medical treatment was effective in reducing pain and functional improvement for grade II lumbar spondylosisthesis patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.217-227
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• 2015

Objectives : This study is an evaluation of the effectiveness of treatments combined with Korean medical methods, such as relaxative Chuna and Gangchuk herbal medicines, for patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Methods : In this study, medical records of ten patients who experienced failed back surgery syndrome and participated in intensive Korean medical treatment were reviewed. All patients received relaxative Chuna and acupuncture along with Gangchuk herbal medicines during hospitalization. Numeric rating scale(NRS) in the degree of 0 to 10, pain-free walking distance(PFWD) and oswestry disability index(ODI) were measured before and after treatments. Results : The patients were hospitalized for an average of 22 days. The average NRS of lumbar pain in all patients decreased from $7.7{\pm}1.6$ to $3.2{\pm}2.2$ and the average NRS decline of leg pain was from $7.7{\pm}1.7$ to $3.2{\pm}2.2$, both of which indicate statistical significance(p < 0.05). PFWD in all patients increased from 113.3 m to 798.1 m on average. The average ODI in all patients significantly improved from $63.9{\pm}7.0$ to $43.9{\pm}6.9$(p < 0.05). Conclusions : The treatments combined with Korean medical methods for failed back surgery syndrome patients are clinically effective and viable.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report Four cases of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) patients after spinal fusion surgery who showed significant improvement in pain and function with Complex Korean medical treatment. Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study. We reviewed medical records of Four patients with lumbar pain or radiating leg pain, who have received spinal fusion surgery in the past. All Four patients took complex treatments of Mokhuri Neck and Back hospital which involes Acupuncture, Pharmaco-acupuncture, Gangchuk herbal medicine, Chuna and Physical therapy during about four-week of admission treatment. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Pain Free Walking Distance (PFWD) scores were assessed before and after treatments. Results: The average of hospitalization period was 28.5 days. Mean VAS scores decreased from 6.5 to 2.3, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores decreased from 56.25 to 38.25 and Pain Free Walking Distance (PFWD) also improved from 10m to 166.6m. Conclusion: This study implies that a combination of Korean medical treatments might be effective in relieving pain, and improving the functional status of FBSS patients. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the effects.