• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.95-105
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the preparing methods of the traditional acupuncture needle and to interpret the electromagnetic meaning intervened in them. Methods : The overall manufacturing processes of the acupuncture needles in ancient books were surveyed. And the facts that special functional activities were carried out in common in the preparing processes were detected. The reproduction tests for the detected former functional activities were followed. Results : According to the ancient medical books, the traditional acupuncture needles were treated with the magnet through the preparing processes. The reproduction tests provided the fact that the ferromagnetic iron needles treated with the magnet were enhanced their magnetisms. And major techniques of the ancient supplementation and draining can be interpreted as magnetic or induced electromagnetic actions. Conclusions : Considering the electromagnetic characteristics of human body, the magnet treated ferromagnetic iron needles of ancient era and magnetic or induced electromagnetic interpretable manipulation techniques are the historical evidences of magnetic activities of acupuncture. So modern acupuncture therapy should be understood, studied, and reinterpreted as an electromagnetic viewpoint.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2011

Objectives : To understand the strength and weakness of traditional warm needle acupuncture based on existing research outcomes in Korea mostly and to suggest how to build the desirable warm needle acupuncture apparatus by overcoming demerits of traditional and currently existing ones. Methods : We searched warm needle relating papers in Korean with the key words of '온침, 화침, 열자극' by using DBpia, Journal of Korean Oriental Medical Society, Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Journal of Society for Meridian and Acupoint. Degree dissertations in Korean were also searched with the same words through the search engine of Library of Kyung Hee University. We also searched with words of 'warm, thermal, heat, needle, acupuncture, temperature' via Pubmed and found a small number of English written papers and large number of Chinese written ones. To find english translated version of those papers, we googled with the same words with no success. Results : About 20 papers on warm needle acupuncture written in Korean were found and analyzed with respect to experimental factors that affected the thermal properties or the amount of heat stimulus of the acupuncture. More rigorous descriptions seemed to be required on the insertion depth, duration and manipulation of warm needle treatment. A basic heat transfer model was presented for the clarification of heat loss through the needle of warm needle acupuncture. Environmental factors such as air flow on the properties seems to be considered for the warm needle acupuncture. Conclusions : Papers on warm needle acupuncture were reviewed and analyzed based on their thermal properties and tools such as needles and moxa cones. Several suggestions were made on the descriptions relating the properties. Necessary specifications were introduced to aim modernized warm needle systems.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2023

Background: Previous studies have investigated technology-aided needling training systems for acupuncture on phantom models using various measurement techniques. In this study, we developed and validated a vision-based needling training system (noncontact measurement) and compared its training effectiveness with that of the traditional training method. Methods: Needle displacements during manipulation were analyzed using OpenCV to derive three parameters, i.e., needle insertion speed, needle insertion angle (needle tip direction), and needle insertion length. The system was validated in a laboratory setting and a needling training course. The performances of the novices (students) before and after training were compared with the experts. The technology-aided training method was also compared with the traditional training method. Results: Before the training, a significant difference in needle insertion speed was found between experts and novices. After the training, the novices approached the speed of the experts. Both training methods could improve the insertion speed of the novices after 10 training sessions. However, the technology-aided training group already showed improvement after five training sessions. Students and teachers showed positive attitudes toward the system. Conclusion: The results suggest that the technology-aided method using computer vision has similar training effectiveness to the traditional one and can potentially be used to speed up needling training.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.35-47
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• 2010

Objectives : To characterize the thermal properties of traditional warm needle and new warm needle with various air flows as an important environmental factor and to suggest the necessity of maintaining suitable environment of clinics to maximize their efficacy. Methods : We measured the temperature characteristics of traditional moxa warm needle and new moxa charcoal warm needle by applying an automatic temperature acquisition system with thermocouples while external various air flows were supplied. Temperatures of two positions at the needle body were measured while a moxa cone burned. Typical temperature characteristics like peak temperature, duration, curve shape and the efficiency of the heat stimuli by heat amount analysis were executed. Results : Both warm needles showed similar temperature curve with an increase in the air flow. Peak temperature and duration of effective heat decreased with the air flow, as shown in indirect moxibustion on garlic. The temperature change pattern by the air flow became more apparent when the total combustion heat was compared with the effective heat. The values from two positions on the needle body were significantly different, showing a distance dependency from the heat source of warm needle acupuncture. Conclusions : Thermal properties of warm needle acupuncture was observed variously with surrounding air flow of 0.0 - 0.7 m/s. It emphasized the importance of environmental control as well as the warm needle itself such as heat source and needle. The latter has already been known to deliver designated heat to subjects. It also indicated the importance of education and skill of the practitioners of warm needle acupuncture.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.74-82
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• 2014

Objectives: Quantification, objectification, and standardization of lifting-thrusting manipulation are important issues in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The purpose of this study was to quantitatively investigate the difference in the amount of stimulation according to range and frequency among parameters of lifting-thrusting manipulation with the use of a needle insertion-measurement system. Methods: For quantification of lifting-thrusting manipulation, an acupuncture needle insertion-measurement system was used in phantom tissue. The motor and force sensors of the needle insertion device were connected to the control software. This enabled operation of the lifting-thrusting manipulation and measurement of the acupuncture needle force. The measurement of the acupuncture needle force according to various frequencies (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1 Hz) and ranges of movement (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm) was repeated 10 times. Results: At a constant frequency of movement, acupuncture needle force according to range of movement (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm) increased with increasing range of movement (p < 0.05). At a constant range of movement, acupuncture needle force according to frequency of movement (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 Hz) increased with increasing frequency of movement (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we conducted a quantitative comparison of the amount of stimulation according to range and frequency, the main parameters of lifting-thrusting manipulation, by using an acupuncture needle insertion-measurement system. Future studies on various manipulations and parameters are warranted to quantify and objectify the amounts of stimulation by acupuncture manipulation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.21-30
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• 2009

Objectives : Being introduced in the 1980s, laser acupuncture studies have been steadily carried on such as its thermal effects on human body. However, the mechanisms of effect are not yet clearly explained. Generally, laser acupuncture could be favorable for pediatric patients or people under special conditions (hemophilia, needle-phobia, pathogen-carriers, etc.) because of lower risk of infection, bleeding, pain or fainting. But there are still problems for using laser acupuncture equivalently as the traditional metal needle. The goal of this study is to review the fundamentals, history and present trend of laser acupuncture study, and to suggest how to develop laser acupuncture as an oriental medical device. Method : We performed literature search using PubMed(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) and Scopus(http://www.scopus.com). Search conditions are laser acupuncture, laser needle, LLLT(as title or abstract) or Litscher G(as author). Main target studies are physical fundamentals, clinical trials, physiological results and device proposals. Results : Many research have shown the similarities of laser acupuncture and traditional metal acupuncture and have reported clinical and physiological effects of laser acupuncture. But, still laser acupuncture is not widely used in Korea due to high-cost of equipments and the lack of clear understanding of laser devices. Additionally, there are still challenges in standardization and device development. Conclusions : Frequencies, laser modes, waveguides, adaptor types, polarization and signal modulations are suggested as future study subjects on laser acupuncture. More various studies and efforts for device development have to be performed to provide oriental medical doctors with evidence based confidence about usage of laser acupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2019

Background: The phrase "Nine Needles" refers to the 9 types of acupuncture needles describing their shapes, sizes, and uses in Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu. The aim of this study was to present 3D illustrations of the "Nine Types of Needles" based on Huangdi's Internal classic Ling-shu, taking into consideration the conformation and application of the Nine Needles. Methods: Sketches of the "Nine Needles" were based on references to those needles cited in Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu, the Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, and the Golden Mirror of Medicine. The computer programs Creo 3.0, Keyshot 5, Adobe Photoshop CS5, and Adobe Illustrator CS5 were used for 3D modelling and visualization. Results: Based on a review of Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu, illustrations of the Spade needle, Round-Pointed needle, Pressure needle, Sharp-Edged needle, Sword-Shaped needle, Round-Sharp needle, Fine needle, Long needle, and Large needle, 3D models were created. The Spade needle had a sharp, large head, the Round-Pointed needle had an egg-shaped tip, and the Pressure needle had a blunt head like a grain of millet. The Sharp-Edged needle had a sharp blade with a triangular edge for bloodletting. The Sword-Shaped needle resembled a sword. The Round-Sharp needle resembled a horse's tail. The Fine needle and the Long needle had sharp points and thin bodies. The Large needle had a cylindrical shaft and rounded tip. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 3D illustrations could be generated for the Nine Needles according to the descriptions and figures provided in the ancient literature.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.209-221
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare and analyze studies related to fire acupuncture (FA) published in South and North Korea. Methods : FA studies published in South Korea were searched through domestic and overseas databases (KISS, RISS, OASIS, and EMBASE). For North Korean studies, databases from the Information Center on North Korea and Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information were used. Among the searched literatures, clinical studies using FA as a treatment intervention were selected (i.e., randomized controlled trials, and case reports). Finally, information such as the disease for which FA was used, the characteristics of FA, and details of treatment methods for FA were extracted from the screened literatures and the results of South and North Korean studies were compared and analyzed. Results : This review included 28 South Korean studies and 9 North Korean studies. All studies in South Korea, except for the three articles that used traditional FA treatment, applied "warm needling"-like acupuncture (WA) in the form of heating the handle of the needle after inserting the needle into the skin, and most studies were conducted on diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Whereas in the North Korean studies, FA was applied to various diseases such as trigeminal neuralgia, skin diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases, and standardized FA tools were used. Conclusions : Studies on traditional FA treatment have rarely been reported in South Korea. The amount of information described in the FA studies in North Korea was limited. In this review, the characteristics of FA treatment tools in South and North Korean studies were mainly analyzed. In the future, FA studies from more diverse perspectives are needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2015

Objectives : The present study was conducted to unveil the existence of a medical technique called Chicken-foot-shaped needling method("Gaejokchimbup") from the mid-Chosen Dynasty era and for historical investigation of this technique. Methods : Among historical literatures from China, Korea, and Japan on acupuncture and moxibustion, mentions of "Gaejok"(chicken foot) were searched for and studied. Results : Among the Chinese literatures, some medical scholars made references to "chicken foot" after mentioned in Lingshu Jing. In the Korean literatures, Donguibogam gave it the name Gaejokchimbup and mentioned it. In Japan's Chimgugeukbeecho which contains the acupuncture and moxibustion knowledge of Korean doctors, the procedural method was explained in detail. Conclusions : According to these ancient medical literatures, Gaejok was used largely in two meanings. First meaning was performing acupuncture with 3~4 needles in a chicken foot-like shape on a narrow area, whereas the second meaning was using one acupuncture needle and repeatedly inserting the needle while changing directions according to a path in the shape of a chicken's foot. Based on Rumenshiqin and Chimgugeukbeecho, which contain records of actual clinical experiences, Gaejokchimbup appears to have been used as the second method mention above.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.35-47
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• 2010

Objectives : Chim-Gu-Kyung-Heom-Bang(CGKHB; 鍼灸經驗方) is the needle and moxa specialized document written by the doctor specialized in needle and moxa treatment of Joseon(朝鮮), Heo Im(1570-1647). The document was published in April 1644(22nd year of King Injo). CGKHB contains the needle and moxa treatment techniques accumulated by the Joseon Dynasty as well as the personal experience of Heo Im. The aim of this study is to restore the past treatment method as a method of Needle Insertion Method at CV12(NIM-CV12, needle to penetrate blood vessel technique) in CGKHB.. Methods : Through Dong-Yi-Bao-Gam(DYBG; 東醫寶鑑), the implication of Korean medicine study of the Jungwan(CV12) has been studied. Next is the contemplation of the NIM-CV12 of CGKHB with the Acupuncture Treatment Using Jungwan(中脘鍼法) of Park Tae-won and Acupuncture Treatment for Byeokjeok(癖積鍼法) of "Geup Yubang". Results and Conclusions : 1. CV12 is one of the acupuncture points representing stomach(脾胃), middle energizer(中焦), phlegm-fluid retention(痰飮) and greater yin(太陰). 2. NIM-CV12 of CGKHB is the technique to penetrate the needle into the CV12 strictly relying on tactile sense of a person who give the penetration. This CV12 administration was carried out at intervals of every 7 or 8 day. During the administration period, the patient was not allowed to intake excessive amount of food. 3. The Acupuncture Treatment Using Jungwan(中脘鍼法) of Park Tae-won and Acupuncture Treatment for Byeokjeok(癖積鍼法) of "GeupYubang", existed in the same era of the NIM-CV12 of CGKHB, have similar linkage to the NIM-CV12 of Heo Im.