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Geummaek Research

Research Papers

A curated collection of academic research relevant to the clinical practice at Geummaek Korean Medicine Clinic.

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Research Papers
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Total 55 papers

All Wellness / Restoration Gongjindan (拱辰丹) Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏) Gwanjeoldan (關節丹) Hyangseongpajeokhwan (響聲破笛丸) Mental Health Skin Conditions Digestive Disorders Respiratory Conditions ENT Disorders Neurological Disorders Pediatric / Adolescent Care Women's Health / Infertility Men's Health / Urology Geum! Maek! Capsule Diet Geum! Maek! Beauty Clinic Private Inpatient Room Traffic Accident Aftercare Pediatric Traffic Accident Workers' Compensation Lower Back Pain Neck Pain Shoulder Pain Elbow Pain Wrist / Hand Pain Hip Pain Knee Pain Ankle / Foot Pain TMJ Disorder
Cohort Study Lower Back Pain

Pain and Functional Improvement Effect of Dokhwalgisaeng-tang in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Noh SH, Jeon WK, Yim TH, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2022)

66% Pain Improvement Rate
150 subjects Number of Participants

Dokhwalgisaeng-tang demonstrated similar pain reduction effects to NSAIDs with fewer side effects.

View Source 2022
Cohort Study Lower Back Pain

Pain and Functional Improvement Effect of Dokhwalgisaeng-tang in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Noh SH, Jeon WK, Yim TH, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2022)
66% Pain Improvement Rate
150 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

One hundred fifty patients with chronic low back pain were compared between a Dokhwalgisaeng-tang group and an NSAID group over 8 weeks. NRS, ODI, and SF-36 quality of life scales were evaluated.

Key Conclusion

Dokhwalgisaeng-tang demonstrated similar pain reduction effects to NSAIDs with fewer side effects.

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Before-After Lower Back Pain

Effect of Dry Needling on Lumbar Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Song MJ, Kim DW, Lee GH, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2023)

71% Pain Reduction Rate
65 subjects Number of Participants

Dry needling demonstrated significant effects on pain reduction and range of motion improvement in lumbar myofascial pain syndrome.

View Source 2023
Before-After Lower Back Pain

Effect of Dry Needling on Lumbar Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Song MJ, Kim DW, Lee GH, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2023)
71% Pain Reduction Rate
65 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Dry needling was administered to active trigger points in 65 patients diagnosed with lumbar myofascial pain syndrome over 6 weeks. Pressure pain threshold, VAS pain scores, and ROM were compared before and after treatment.

Key Conclusion

Dry needling demonstrated significant effects on pain reduction and range of motion improvement in lumbar myofascial pain syndrome.

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Before-After Lower Back Pain

Biomechanical Analysis of Lumbar Segmental Mobility Recovery by Chuna Manipulation

Go YH, Choi WS, Baek MJ, et al.

Spine (2022)

28% ROM Improvement
50 subjects Number of Participants

Chuna manipulation significantly restored lumbar segmental mobility, with prominent improvements in rotation and lateral bending ranges.

View Source 2022
Before-After Lower Back Pain

Biomechanical Analysis of Lumbar Segmental Mobility Recovery by Chuna Manipulation

Go YH, Choi WS, Baek MJ, et al. Spine (2022)
28% ROM Improvement
50 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Three-dimensional motion analysis was performed before and after chuna manipulation in 50 patients with restricted lumbar mobility. Changes in lumbar flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation ranges were quantitatively measured.

Key Conclusion

Chuna manipulation significantly restored lumbar segmental mobility, with prominent improvements in rotation and lateral bending ranges.

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Case Study Lower Back Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Treatment on Spontaneous Resorption of Disc Herniation: A Case Report

Lim BS, Won JH, Kang SY, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)

70% Disc Resorption Observation Rate
10 subjects Number of Participants

Significant reduction in disc herniation size on MRI was observed in 7 of 10 patients, suggesting the possibility that Korean medicine treatment may promote spontaneous resorption.

View Source 2024
Case Study Lower Back Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Treatment on Spontaneous Resorption of Disc Herniation: A Case Report

Lim BS, Won JH, Kang SY, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)
70% Disc Resorption Observation Rate
10 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Combined Korean medicine treatment including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and chuna was administered for 6 months to 10 patients with lumbar disc herniation, with MRI follow-up. Changes in disc herniation size and clinical symptom improvement were recorded.

Key Conclusion

Significant reduction in disc herniation size on MRI was observed in 7 of 10 patients, suggesting the possibility that Korean medicine treatment may promote spontaneous resorption.

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Systematic Review Lower Back Pain

Effect of Moxibustion on Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Yeo SH, Kim HK, Park JY, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)

63% Average Pain Reduction Rate
16 studies Number of Reviewed Studies

Moxibustion is effective for low back pain relief, with indirect moxibustion showing the best results in pain reduction and patient compliance.

View Source 2024
Systematic Review Lower Back Pain

Effect of Moxibustion on Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Yeo SH, Kim HK, Park JY, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)
63% Average Pain Reduction Rate
16 studies Number of Reviewed Studies

Summary

Clinical studies analyzing the effects of moxibustion for low back pain were systematically reviewed. The effects of various moxibustion methods including direct, indirect, and warm moxibustion were analyzed separately.

Key Conclusion

Moxibustion is effective for low back pain relief, with indirect moxibustion showing the best results in pain reduction and patient compliance.

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Cohort Study Lower Back Pain

Surgery Conversion Rate After Korean Medicine Combination Therapy in Spinal Stenosis Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Ahn JW, Lee DS, Chung HY, et al.

European Spine Journal (2024)

12% 2-Year Surgery Conversion Rate
300 subjects Number of Participants

The 2-year surgery conversion rate of spinal stenosis patients receiving Korean medicine combination therapy was 12%, confirming the efficacy of conservative management.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Lower Back Pain

Surgery Conversion Rate After Korean Medicine Combination Therapy in Spinal Stenosis Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Ahn JW, Lee DS, Chung HY, et al. European Spine Journal (2024)
12% 2-Year Surgery Conversion Rate
300 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Three hundred patients diagnosed with spinal stenosis were recruited from three Korean medicine hospitals to receive combined Korean medicine treatment and were followed for 2 years. Surgery conversion rate, walking function, and quality of life changes were analyzed.

Key Conclusion

The 2-year surgery conversion rate of spinal stenosis patients receiving Korean medicine combination therapy was 12%, confirming the efficacy of conservative management.

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Meta-Analysis Lower Back Pain

Dose-Response Relationship Between Acupuncture Frequency and Treatment Effect in Low Back Pain Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Byun KS, Heo WJ, Shin YM, et al.

Pain Medicine (2025)

2x/week Optimal Treatment Frequency
2,450 subjects Number of Participants

Acupuncture twice weekly or more demonstrated significantly superior pain reduction effects compared to once weekly, while no significant difference was observed between twice and three times weekly.

View Source 2025
Meta-Analysis Lower Back Pain

Dose-Response Relationship Between Acupuncture Frequency and Treatment Effect in Low Back Pain Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Byun KS, Heo WJ, Shin YM, et al. Pain Medicine (2025)
2x/week Optimal Treatment Frequency
2,450 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

The dose-response relationship between acupuncture frequency (1x/week vs 2x/week vs 3x/week) and treatment effect was analyzed for low back pain. A total of 21 studies were included for meta-regression analysis.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture twice weekly or more demonstrated significantly superior pain reduction effects compared to once weekly, while no significant difference was observed between twice and three times weekly.

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RCT Lower Back Pain

Effect of Integrated Korean Medicine Treatment on Low Back Pain with Comorbid Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Won DJ, Kim EK, Song BH, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2023)

62% Pain Improvement Rate
90 subjects Number of Participants

Integrated Korean medicine treatment demonstrated significant improvements in both low back pain and depressive symptoms compared to usual care.

View Source 2023
RCT Lower Back Pain

Effect of Integrated Korean Medicine Treatment on Low Back Pain with Comorbid Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Won DJ, Kim EK, Song BH, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2023)
62% Pain Improvement Rate
90 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Ninety patients suffering from chronic low back pain and depression simultaneously were assigned to an integrated Korean medicine treatment group (acupuncture + herbal medicine + chuna) or a usual care control group. NRS, ODI, and PHQ-9 were tracked over 12 weeks.

Key Conclusion

Integrated Korean medicine treatment demonstrated significant improvements in both low back pain and depressive symptoms compared to usual care.

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Cross-Sectional Lower Back Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Inpatient Treatment in Lumbar Disc Patients: National Health Insurance Claims Data Analysis

Jang SH, Oh MK, Lee TY, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2022)

8.3% 1-Year Surgery Conversion Rate
5,000 subjects Number of Participants

The 1-year surgery conversion rate of lumbar disc patients receiving Korean medicine inpatient treatment was 8.3%, confirming the efficacy of Korean medicine conservative treatment.

View Source 2022
Cross-Sectional Lower Back Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Inpatient Treatment in Lumbar Disc Patients: National Health Insurance Claims Data Analysis

Jang SH, Oh MK, Lee TY, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2022)
8.3% 1-Year Surgery Conversion Rate
5,000 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Treatment outcomes of 5,000 patients hospitalized in Korean medicine hospitals for lumbar disc disease were analyzed using national health insurance claims data. Readmission rate, surgery conversion rate, and outpatient visit frequency were tracked.

Key Conclusion

The 1-year surgery conversion rate of lumbar disc patients receiving Korean medicine inpatient treatment was 8.3%, confirming the efficacy of Korean medicine conservative treatment.

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Narrative Review Lower Back Pain

Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacopuncture Therapy for Sciatica: A Narrative Review

Ko YS, Baek DH, Kim JN, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2021)

18 studies Number of Reviewed Studies
3 types Major Pharmacopuncture Types

Pharmacopuncture therapy is an effective adjunctive treatment for sciatica, with bee venom pharmacopuncture and human placenta pharmacopuncture having the most abundant evidence.

View Source 2021
Narrative Review Lower Back Pain

Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacopuncture Therapy for Sciatica: A Narrative Review

Ko YS, Baek DH, Kim JN, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2021)
18 studies Number of Reviewed Studies
3 types Major Pharmacopuncture Types

Summary

The efficacy and safety of various pharmacopuncture therapies (bee venom, Hwangryunhaedok-tang, human placenta) used for sciatica were narratively reviewed. The mechanisms of action and clinical evidence of each pharmacopuncture were synthesized.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture therapy is an effective adjunctive treatment for sciatica, with bee venom pharmacopuncture and human placenta pharmacopuncture having the most abundant evidence.

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Before-After Lower Back Pain

Effect of Needle-Knife Therapy on Adhesion Resolution and Pain Relief in Low Back Pain Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Yoon HK, Shin KW, Nam SJ, et al.

Spine (2024)

76% Pain Improvement Rate
55 subjects Number of Participants

Needle-knife therapy significantly improved pain and range of motion in chronic low back pain patients along with soft tissue adhesion resolution.

View Source 2024
Before-After Lower Back Pain

Effect of Needle-Knife Therapy on Adhesion Resolution and Pain Relief in Low Back Pain Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Yoon HK, Shin KW, Nam SJ, et al. Spine (2024)
76% Pain Improvement Rate
55 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Needle-knife therapy was administered for 4 weeks to 55 patients with chronic low back pain suspected of having soft tissue adhesions. Adhesion levels were assessed by ultrasound imaging, and pain and range of motion were compared before and after treatment.

Key Conclusion

Needle-knife therapy significantly improved pain and range of motion in chronic low back pain patients along with soft tissue adhesion resolution.

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Case Study Lower Back Pain

Effect of Chuna Manipulation on Lumbar Disc Internal Pressure: A Biomechanical Study

Kim BH, Cho SH, Jung MH, et al.

European Spine Journal (2023)

5.2% Disc Height Increase
30 subjects Number of Participants

After chuna manipulation, disc height and T2 signal intensity increased significantly, suggesting potential improvement of the intradiscal environment.

View Source 2023
Case Study Lower Back Pain

Effect of Chuna Manipulation on Lumbar Disc Internal Pressure: A Biomechanical Study

Kim BH, Cho SH, Jung MH, et al. European Spine Journal (2023)
5.2% Disc Height Increase
30 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Disc water content and disc height were measured by MRI T2-weighted imaging before and after chuna manipulation in 30 lumbar disc patients. The biomechanical effects of chuna manipulation were quantitatively analyzed.

Key Conclusion

After chuna manipulation, disc height and T2 signal intensity increased significantly, suggesting potential improvement of the intradiscal environment.

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