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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
Systematic Review Lower Back Pain

Effect of Herbal Medicine Treatment on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lee KJ, Park YH, Hwang SB, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2025)

2.4 points VAS Reduction
3,120 subjects Number of Participants

Herbal medicine treatment demonstrated effects equivalent to NSAIDs for pain reduction and functional improvement in chronic low back pain with fewer gastrointestinal side effects.

View Source 2025
Systematic Review Lower Back Pain

Effect of Herbal Medicine Treatment on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lee KJ, Park YH, Hwang SB, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2025)
2.4 points VAS Reduction
3,120 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials analyzing the effect of herbal medicine alone or in combination on chronic low back pain were meta-analyzed. Pain, function, and quality of life indicators were compared between the herbal medicine group and the NSAID control group.

Key Conclusion

Herbal medicine treatment demonstrated effects equivalent to NSAIDs for pain reduction and functional improvement in chronic low back pain with fewer gastrointestinal side effects.

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RCT Lower Back Pain

Effect of Combined Taping and Acupuncture on Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Heo JW, Song KY, Min SH, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)

83% Treatment Satisfaction
120 subjects Number of Participants

Combined acupuncture and taping was more effective than acupuncture alone for pain and functional improvement in subacute low back pain.

View Source 2022
RCT Lower Back Pain

Effect of Combined Taping and Acupuncture on Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Heo JW, Song KY, Min SH, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)
83% Treatment Satisfaction
120 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

One hundred twenty subacute low back pain patients were assigned to an acupuncture + taping combined group or an acupuncture monotherapy group. NRS pain scores, functional disability index, and patient satisfaction were evaluated over 4 weeks.

Key Conclusion

Combined acupuncture and taping was more effective than acupuncture alone for pain and functional improvement in subacute low back pain.

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Cohort Study Lower Back Pain

Safety and Efficacy of Chuna Manipulation in Elderly Low Back Pain Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Oh KM, Choi JH, Kwak YS, et al.

Pain Medicine (2024)

2.1% Adverse Event Incidence
200 subjects Number of Participants

Chuna manipulation can be safely applied in elderly low back pain patients with significant pain reduction effects regardless of osteoporosis comorbidity.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Lower Back Pain

Safety and Efficacy of Chuna Manipulation in Elderly Low Back Pain Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Oh KM, Choi JH, Kwak YS, et al. Pain Medicine (2024)
2.1% Adverse Event Incidence
200 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

The safety and efficacy of chuna manipulation were analyzed in 200 elderly chronic low back pain patients aged 65 and older. Adverse event incidence and pain changes were tracked, including subgroup analysis according to osteoporosis status.

Key Conclusion

Chuna manipulation can be safely applied in elderly low back pain patients with significant pain reduction effects regardless of osteoporosis comorbidity.

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RCT Lower Back Pain

Combined Effects of Acupuncture and Core Strengthening Exercise in Lumbar Instability Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jung SW, Kim YH, Bae KH, et al.

Spine (2025)

85% Symptom Improvement Rate
110 subjects Number of Participants

The combination of acupuncture and core strengthening exercise was most effective for pain reduction and multifidus recovery in lumbar instability patients.

View Source 2025
RCT Lower Back Pain

Combined Effects of Acupuncture and Core Strengthening Exercise in Lumbar Instability Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jung SW, Kim YH, Bae KH, et al. Spine (2025)
85% Symptom Improvement Rate
110 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

One hundred ten patients diagnosed with lumbar instability were assigned to an acupuncture + core exercise combined group, an acupuncture monotherapy group, or an exercise monotherapy group. Pain, functional disability, and multifidus muscle cross-sectional area were compared over 12 weeks.

Key Conclusion

The combination of acupuncture and core strengthening exercise was most effective for pain reduction and multifidus recovery in lumbar instability patients.

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Narrative Review Lower Back Pain

Integrated Korean and Western Medicine Treatment Guidelines for Spinal Stenosis: An Expert Consensus Study

Kwon SY, Ahn BM, Lee HW, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

91% Expert Consensus Rate
60 experts Expert Participation

Integrated treatment guidelines for spinal stenosis were established through multidisciplinary expert consensus, and clinical application is anticipated.

View Source 2023
Narrative Review Lower Back Pain

Integrated Korean and Western Medicine Treatment Guidelines for Spinal Stenosis: An Expert Consensus Study

Kwon SY, Ahn BM, Lee HW, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
91% Expert Consensus Rate
60 experts Expert Participation

Summary

A Delphi survey was conducted with 60 specialists including Korean medicine doctors, orthopedic surgeons, and neurosurgeons to derive integrated Korean and Western medicine treatment guidelines for spinal stenosis. Diagnostic criteria, treatment algorithms, and surgery conversion criteria were agreed upon.

Key Conclusion

Integrated treatment guidelines for spinal stenosis were established through multidisciplinary expert consensus, and clinical application is anticipated.

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Cross-Sectional Lower Back Pain

Effect of Acupuncture on Sleep Disturbance in Low Back Pain Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analysis and Pre-Post Comparison

Moon KW, Seo JY, Han DH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)

54% Sleep Quality Improvement Rate
170 subjects Number of Participants

Acupuncture demonstrated significant effects not only on pain but also on sleep quality improvement in chronic low back pain patients, confirming the value of a holistic approach.

View Source 2024
Cross-Sectional Lower Back Pain

Effect of Acupuncture on Sleep Disturbance in Low Back Pain Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analysis and Pre-Post Comparison

Moon KW, Seo JY, Han DH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)
54% Sleep Quality Improvement Rate
170 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

The correlation between sleep quality and pain levels was analyzed in 170 patients with chronic low back pain and concurrent sleep disturbance, and changes in both indicators after 8 weeks of acupuncture were compared. PSQI and NRS were used as primary assessment tools.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture demonstrated significant effects not only on pain but also on sleep quality improvement in chronic low back pain patients, confirming the value of a holistic approach.

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Systematic Review Lower Back Pain

Systematic Review of Spinal Degenerative Imaging Findings in Asymptomatic Populations

W. Brinjikji, P.H. Luetmer, B. Comstock, B.W. Bresnahan, L.E. Chen, R.A. Deyo, S. Halabi, J.A. Turner, A.L. Avins, K. James, J.T. Wald, D.F. Kallmes, J.G. Jarvik

American Journal of Neuroradiology (AJNR) (2015)

33 studies, 3,110 subjects Analyzed Studies
Age 20: 37% → Age 80: 96% Disc Degeneration
Age 20: 30% → Age 80: 84% Disc Bulging

Spinal degenerative imaging findings appear at very high rates even in asymptomatic populations, with prevalence sharply rising with age. Therefore, these findings should be regarded as part of the normal aging process and must always be interpreted alongside the patient's clinical symptoms.

View Source 2015
Systematic Review Lower Back Pain

Systematic Review of Spinal Degenerative Imaging Findings in Asymptomatic Populations

W. Brinjikji, P.H. Luetmer, B. Comstock, B.W. Bresnahan, L.E. Chen, R.A. Deyo, S. Halabi, J.A. Turner, A.L. Avins, K. James, J.T. Wald, D.F. Kallmes, J.G. Jarvik American Journal of Neuroradiology (AJNR) (2015)
33 studies, 3,110 subjects Analyzed Studies
Age 20: 37% → Age 80: 96% Disc Degeneration
Age 20: 30% → Age 80: 84% Disc Bulging
Age 20: 29% → Age 80: 43% Disc Protrusion

Summary

Degenerative findings detected on spinal MRI or CT, such as disc degeneration and disc protrusion, are commonly seen not only in low back pain patients but also in pain-free individuals. This paper systematically organized the age-specific prevalence of spinal degenerative imaging findings in asymptomatic (pain-free) populations to clarify that such findings may not necessarily indicate a pathological condition.

Key Conclusion

Spinal degenerative imaging findings appear at very high rates even in asymptomatic populations, with prevalence sharply rising with age. Therefore, these findings should be regarded as part of the normal aging process and must always be interpreted alongside the patient's clinical symptoms.

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