• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.89-93
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• 2002

We report a preliminary fMRI evidence of modulation of somatomotor areas by acupuncture in GB34 acupoint. GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after stroke. Using 3T MR scanner, functional MR imaging was performed in five normal volunteers in two stimulation paradigms; acupuncture manipulation on GB34 and sham points. Group analysis form five individuals showed that bilateral sensorimotor areas (BA 3,4,6 and 7) showed stimulation related BOLD signal contrast of approximately 6% whereas very few areas were activated when sham stimulation is given. Our results suggest that acupuncture fMRI study can be safely conducted in 3T environment and stimulation in GB34 modulate the cortical activities of the somatomotor area in human.

• Proceedings of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society Conference
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.21-25
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• 2002

We report a preliminary fMRI evidence of modulation of somatomotor areas by acupuncture in GB34 acupoint. GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after stroke. Using 3T MR scanner, functional MR imaging was performed in five normal volunteers in two stimulation paradigms; acupuncture manipulation on GB34 and sham points. Group analysis from five individuals showed that bilateral sensorimotor areas (BA 3,4,6 and 7) showed stimulation related BOLD signal contrast of approximately 6％ whereas very few areas were activated when sham stimulation is given. Our results suggest that acupuncture fMRI study can be safely conducted in 3T environment, and stimulation in GB34 modulate the cortical activities of the somatomotor area in human.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.145-154
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• 2006

Objectives : To research the recent trends of study related to pain modulation of acupuncture. Methods : We searched the resent study related to pain modulation of acupuncture. Results & Conclusion : 1) Early studies demonstrated that the analgesic effects of acupuncture are mediated by opioid peptides in the periaqueductal gray. Recent evidences show that nitric oxide plays an important role in mediating the cardiovascular responses to acupuncture stimulation through gracile nucleus-thalamic pathway. 2) Recent evidences show that acupuncture stimulate gene expression related to pain. 3) By using functional magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography, recent study suggest that acupuncture has regionally specific, quantifiable effects on pain-relevant brain structures.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.551-558
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• 2010

Pain is very complex and multi-level experience that should be objective or subjective. Acupuncture is a traditional method to heal the pain and have been based on meridian theory. There have been many clinical evidences showing the pain-relieving effect of acupuncture but science-based understanding of it was poor. Furthermore in daily life, we feel huge gap between the source of pain and pain control by acupuncture stimulation. However, the underlying connection between pain control and acupuncture stimulation has been reported in many recent reports. In this paper, we briefly introduce the brain imaging techniques (functional magnetic resonance images, positron emission tomography, electroencephalograph, and magnetoencephalography) and review researches in pain and acupuncture. Through this, the brain areas that activated by pain and acupuncture will be verified, and compared each other regarding their specificity and similarity. In addition, detailed understanding of brain function which is related to pain and acupuncture analgesia through brain imaging techniques will be discussed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.229-240
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the image changes of five cases of Cervical intervertebral disc Herniation after Oriental medicine Treatment. Patient & Methods : We examined 5 patients with Cervical intervertebral disc Herniation (HIVD of C-spine) who showed changes on MRI images before/after the treatment among HIVD of C-spine patients who visited Cervical Spine center, Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine from March, 2006 to May, 2007. Results & Conclusions : In this study, the first MRI examination of HIVD of C-spine patients was performed at the first visit and re-examination of MRI was done after the treatment. We assessed clinical symptoms by using Numerical rating scales(NRS). In each case, the size of the disc herniation was considerably reduced in MRI image. NRS was also reduced significantly.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.37-46
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• 2006

Objective : This study was designed to find out the effect of scolopendrid aquacupuncture on low back pain with or without sciatica showing high intensity zone of magnetic resonance imaging. Methods : The 30 patients who had a diagnosis of high intensity zone by lumbar-MRI and admitted to Gwangju oriental medical hospital in wonkwang university from January 2005 to August 2004 were observed. The symptom of inpatients is low back pain with or without sciatica. We treated 30 patients by scolopendrid aquacupuncture besides the general conservative treatment of oriental medicine. Results and Conclusion : The scolopendrid aquacupuncture treatment led to improvement in the pain and symptom of disability as determined by all efficacy measures. After scolopendrid aquacupuncture treatment, there was improvement in VAS, ROM and SLRT. This results suggest that scolopendrid aquacupuncture is good method for treatment of low back pain with or without sciatica showing high intensity zone of magnetic resonance imaging.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.179-184
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• 2001

The Tolosa-Hunt syndrome(THS) consists of a painful ophthalmoplegia related to a granulomatous inflammatory process in the cavernous sinus, which may be documented by cerebral magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium enhancement. Generally, it has been reported that 2 weeks steroid therapy relieves the symptoms(periorbital pain, ophthalmoplegia) of THS. In this case, there had been no improvement of symptoms by western medical treatments(steroid & analgesics). but, the symptoms were resolved clearly by acupuncture therapy during 6 weeks(5 times/week). If more clinical trials like this are proved to be effective in THS, we can expect that acupuncture will be another therapeutical modality in THS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was to examine the effects of magnetic therapy applying the principal of Sa-am Acupuncture on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea in high school students. Methods: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group, pre- and post-test design was used. Participants were 60 female high school students living in S city, 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. Data were collected from February to August 2008. Magnetic therapy was performed three days before menstruation for three menstrual cycles. Results: Magnetic therapy significantly reduced menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. There was a significant difference in menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: Magnetic therapy may be an effective nursing intervention in reducing menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.71-77
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate radiological changes in cervical disc herniation after oriental medical treatment. Methods : 9 patient diagnosed as cervical disc herniation by MRI were treated with oriental medical treatment and underwent a follow up MRI study. Results & Conclusions : Comparison of initial MRI with follow-up MRI showed that 2 of the herniations dimensions decreased between 1% and 25%, 1 decreased between 26% and 50%, 5 decreased between 50% and 75%. The mean disc herniation dimensions decrease was 40% in 9 patients. Comparison of initial MRI with follow-up MRI showed that 4 of the herniations diameter decreased between 1% and 25%, 2 decreased between 26% and 50%, 3 decreased between 50% and 75%. The mean disc herniation diameter decrease was 36% in 9 patients.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 2009

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oriental medicine conservative treatment on patients who show symptoms at the legion opposed to that shown in Magnetic Resonance Image(MRI) findings. Subject & Method: Oriental medicine treatment such as acupuncture and herbs was applied to two patients who were diagnosed as lateral herniated intervertebral disc of lumbar spine via MRI but whose pain and muscular force attenuation were shown at the opposed lower limb, for measuring its effects. Results: As for the two cases, the patients were favored in the Visual Analog Score (VAS) and the Straight leg Raising(SLR) test after the oriental medicine conservative treatment. In one case, the muscular force in the lower limb was favored. Conclusion: Based on the results in this study, oriental medicine conservative treatment might be effective on patients who show symptoms at the legion opposed to that shown in MRI findings.