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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 1642 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 Neck Pain

Systematic Review for Korean Medicine Treatment Guideline Development for Cervical Disc Disease

Lee YJ, Shin JS, Ha IH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2025)

Grade A Acupuncture Evidence Level
62 studies Analyzed Studies

Korean medicine treatment for cervical disc disease possesses moderate or higher evidence, and establishment of evidence-based guidelines is possible.

View Source 2025
Systematic Review Neck Pain

Systematic Review for Korean Medicine Treatment Guideline Development for Cervical Disc Disease

Lee YJ, Shin JS, Ha IH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2025)
Grade A Acupuncture Evidence Level
62 studies Analyzed Studies

Summary

Sixty-two studies were systematically analyzed to synthesize evidence for Korean medicine treatment of cervical disc disease. High evidence levels were confirmed in the order of acupuncture treatment (Grade A), pharmacopuncture (B), chuna (B), and herbal medicine (B), with synergistic effects of combined treatments reported.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment for cervical disc disease possesses moderate or higher evidence, and establishment of evidence-based guidelines is possible.

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RCT Neck Pain

Dose-Response Relationship of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture for Cervical Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Son DJ, Lee WY, Park SU, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2024)

75% High-Dose Pain Reduction Rate
132 subjects Participants

The dose-response relationship of bee venom pharmacopuncture was confirmed, and optimal dose setting considering both efficacy and safety is important.

View Source 2024
RCT Neck Pain

Dose-Response Relationship of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture for Cervical Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Son DJ, Lee WY, Park SU, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2024)
75% High-Dose Pain Reduction Rate
132 subjects Participants

Summary

One hundred thirty-two cervical pain patients were randomly assigned to bee venom pharmacopuncture low-dose, high-dose, and saline control groups. The high-dose group showed the greatest pain reduction effect, but local reaction frequency was also high. The low-dose group showed moderate effects with low side effects, proposed as the optimal dose.

Key Conclusion

The dose-response relationship of bee venom pharmacopuncture was confirmed, and optimal dose setting considering both efficacy and safety is important.

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Cohort Study Neck Pain

Impact of Korean Medicine Treatment on Return to Work in Cervical Sprain Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Hong SH, Kim SJ, Yoon MJ, et al.

Pain Medicine (2023)

2.8 weeks Return Period Shortened
267 subjects Participants

Combined Korean medicine treatment contributes to early return to work and recurrence prevention in cervical sprain patients.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Neck Pain

Impact of Korean Medicine Treatment on Return to Work in Cervical Sprain Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Hong SH, Kim SJ, Yoon MJ, et al. Pain Medicine (2023)
2.8 weeks Return Period Shortened
267 subjects Participants

Summary

Medical records of 267 patients with cervical sprain due to industrial accidents were retrospectively analyzed. The Korean medicine treatment group showed an average return-to-work period 2.8 weeks shorter compared with the Western medicine alone treatment group, with lower post-return recurrence rates.

Key Conclusion

Combined Korean medicine treatment contributes to early return to work and recurrence prevention in cervical sprain patients.

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Before-After Neck Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Lifestyle Management Program for Forward Head Posture Syndrome: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Chae Y, Kim HY, Ryu BH, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)

7.2° CVA Improvement
56 subjects Participants

Integration of Korean medicine treatment and lifestyle management programs is effective for long-term management of forward head posture syndrome.

View Source 2024
Before-After Neck Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Lifestyle Management Program for Forward Head Posture Syndrome: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Chae Y, Kim HY, Ryu BH, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)
7.2° CVA Improvement
56 subjects Participants

Summary

A lifestyle management program including postural correction, stretching, and lifestyle improvement was applied for 12 weeks to 56 office workers with forward head posture syndrome. After program completion, CVA improved by an average of 7.2 degrees, with effects maintained at 6-month follow-up.

Key Conclusion

Integration of Korean medicine treatment and lifestyle management programs is effective for long-term management of forward head posture syndrome.

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RCT Neck Pain

Comparison of Analgesic Effects of Electroacupuncture and TENS for Cervical Pain: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Jung WS, Moon SK, Cho KH, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2021)

1.8 points VAS Difference
60 subjects Participants

Electroacupuncture is more effective than TENS for immediate pain relief in cervical pain.

View Source 2021
RCT Neck Pain

Comparison of Analgesic Effects of Electroacupuncture and TENS for Cervical Pain: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Jung WS, Moon SK, Cho KH, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2021)
1.8 points VAS Difference
60 subjects Participants

Summary

The analgesic effects of electroacupuncture and TENS were compared in a crossover design in 60 chronic cervical pain patients. Electroacupuncture was significantly superior to TENS in immediate pain reduction (VAS difference 1.8 points) and cervical ROM improvement, with high patient preference.

Key Conclusion

Electroacupuncture is more effective than TENS for immediate pain relief in cervical pain.

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Cross-Sectional Neck Pain

Patient Satisfaction Survey After Korean Medicine Treatment of Cervical Disc Herniation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Seol IC, Park JK, Kim YS, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)

84.2% Patient Satisfaction
418 subjects Participants

Patient satisfaction with Korean medicine treatment is at a high level, and doctor-patient communication is an important satisfaction factor.

View Source 2022
Cross-Sectional Neck Pain

Patient Satisfaction Survey After Korean Medicine Treatment of Cervical Disc Herniation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Seol IC, Park JK, Kim YS, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)
84.2% Patient Satisfaction
418 subjects Participants

Summary

Treatment satisfaction and related factors were surveyed in 418 patients who received Korean medicine treatment for cervical disc herniation. Overall satisfaction was 84.2%, and pain reduction degree, doctor communication, and treatment environment were identified as main determining factors of satisfaction.

Key Conclusion

Patient satisfaction with Korean medicine treatment is at a high level, and doctor-patient communication is an important satisfaction factor.

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Before-After Neck Pain

Autonomic Nervous System Regulation Effect of Acupuncture Treatment for Straight Neck Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Kang KW, Park SW, Lee IS, et al.

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2024)

34% HF Indicator Increase
42 subjects Participants

Acupuncture treatment contributes to autonomic nervous system balance recovery in straight neck patients, which is related to pain relief.

View Source 2024
Before-After Neck Pain

Autonomic Nervous System Regulation Effect of Acupuncture Treatment for Straight Neck Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Kang KW, Park SW, Lee IS, et al. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2024)
34% HF Indicator Increase
42 subjects Participants

Summary

Acupuncture treatment was administered to 42 straight neck patients, and autonomic nervous system changes were analyzed by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) before and after treatment. After acupuncture treatment, parasympathetic activity increased significantly (RMSSD, HF indicators), showing positive correlation with cervical pain reduction.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture treatment contributes to autonomic nervous system balance recovery in straight neck patients, which is related to pain relief.

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Narrative Review Neck Pain

Current Status and Future Direction of Korean Medicine Treatment for Cervical Pain: A Narrative Review

Choi TY, Lee MS, Ernst E, et al.

The Journal of Pain (2025)

42 RCTs Analyzed RCTs
2019-2025 Analysis Period

Korean medicine cervical pain treatment has a growing evidence base, and standardized protocols and large-scale research are future challenges.

View Source 2025
Narrative Review Neck Pain

Current Status and Future Direction of Korean Medicine Treatment for Cervical Pain: A Narrative Review

Choi TY, Lee MS, Ernst E, et al. The Journal of Pain (2025)
42 RCTs Analyzed RCTs
2019-2025 Analysis Period

Summary

Current evidence level, clinical status, and future research directions of Korean medicine treatment for cervical pain were comprehensively reviewed. Acupuncture treatment and chuna therapy have high-quality evidence, but pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine were confirmed to require additional large-scale RCTs.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine cervical pain treatment has a growing evidence base, and standardized protocols and large-scale research are future challenges.

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RCT Neck Pain

Synergistic Effect of Combined Pharmacopuncture and Acupuncture Treatment in Cervical Disc Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lim YJ, Ahn CB, Song HS, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

5.1 points NRS Reduction
144 subjects Participants

The combination of pharmacopuncture and acupuncture treatment shows synergistic effects in cervical disc disease.

View Source 2023
RCT Neck Pain

Synergistic Effect of Combined Pharmacopuncture and Acupuncture Treatment in Cervical Disc Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lim YJ, Ahn CB, Song HS, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
5.1 points NRS Reduction
144 subjects Participants

Summary

One hundred forty-four patients with cervical disc disease were assigned to combined pharmacopuncture + acupuncture, acupuncture alone, and pharmacopuncture alone groups. After 8 weeks, NRS pain score reduction in the combined group (5.1 points) was significantly greater than acupuncture alone (3.4 points) or pharmacopuncture alone (3.7 points).

Key Conclusion

The combination of pharmacopuncture and acupuncture treatment shows synergistic effects in cervical disc disease.

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Case Study Neck Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Physical Therapy for Chronic Cervical Pain in Elderly Patients: A Case Series

Go HY, Kim YK, Choi WC, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2022)

86.7% Treatment Response Rate
15 subjects Participants

Korean medicine physical therapy is a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients with chronic cervical pain.

View Source 2022
Case Study Neck Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Physical Therapy for Chronic Cervical Pain in Elderly Patients: A Case Series

Go HY, Kim YK, Choi WC, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2022)
86.7% Treatment Response Rate
15 subjects Participants

Summary

Korean medicine physical therapy including moxibustion, cupping, and transcutaneous infrared irradiation was administered for 10 weeks to 15 elderly patients aged 65 and older with chronic cervical pain. Pain decreased significantly in 13 patients (86.7%), and cervical function and quality of life improved.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine physical therapy is a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients with chronic cervical pain.

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Systematic Review Neck Pain

Central Nervous System Mechanism of Acupuncture Treatment for Cervical Pain: An fMRI-Based Systematic Review

Park JE, Ryu YH, Kim HJ, et al.

Pain Medicine (2025)

87.5% Consistent Results Ratio
8 studies Analyzed Studies

Acupuncture treatment is confirmed to alleviate cervical pain by regulating the central nervous system pain processing network.

View Source 2025
Systematic Review Neck Pain

Central Nervous System Mechanism of Acupuncture Treatment for Cervical Pain: An fMRI-Based Systematic Review

Park JE, Ryu YH, Kim HJ, et al. Pain Medicine (2025)
87.5% Consistent Results Ratio
8 studies Analyzed Studies

Summary

Eight studies investigating fMRI changes before and after acupuncture treatment in cervical pain patients were systematically analyzed. After acupuncture treatment, a consistent pattern was observed of decreased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and insular cortex and increased functional connectivity in descending pain control regions.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture treatment is confirmed to alleviate cervical pain by regulating the central nervous system pain processing network.

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RCT Neck Pain

Immediate Effect of Chuna Therapy in Cervical Sprain Patients: A Randomized Single-Blind Trial

Hwang MS, Cho HW, Lee JH, et al.

Spine (2019)

2.7 points Immediate VAS Reduction
72 subjects Participants

Chuna therapy shows immediate pain reduction and ROM improvement effects in acute cervical sprain.

View Source 2019
RCT Neck Pain

Immediate Effect of Chuna Therapy in Cervical Sprain Patients: A Randomized Single-Blind Trial

Hwang MS, Cho HW, Lee JH, et al. Spine (2019)
2.7 points Immediate VAS Reduction
72 subjects Participants

Summary

Seventy-two patients with acute cervical sprain were single-blind randomly assigned to chuna therapy and sham chuna control groups. Immediately after single treatment, VAS pain scores decreased by an average of 2.7 points in the chuna therapy group, significantly greater than the control group (0.8 points), with immediate ROM improvement also shown.

Key Conclusion

Chuna therapy shows immediate pain reduction and ROM improvement effects in acute cervical sprain.

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