• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.84-90
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• 2022

Objectives : Acupoints are divided into three categories: classical acupoints, extra-acupoints, and Ashi points. The aim of this study was to understand the meaning and features of Ashi points. Methods : We examined the original meaning of Ashi points from the classical medical texts, including the Beijiqianjinyaofang, the Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, and the Huangdi Neijing, the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine. Results : First, the Ashi method is to locate the points for the acupuncture and moxibustion based on the patients' reactions mainly manifested by sensations of comfort and pain, which can help identify not only Ashi points but also classical and extra-acupoints. Thus, Ashi points may or may not match to classical or extra-acupoints, and we propose that Ashi points should not be classified mutually exclusive to classical or extra-acupoints. Second, there are several similarities between Ashi points and myofascial trigger points. They are located by palpation and have no fixed anatomical positions. Patients experience painful but pleasant feeling when Ashi and myofascial trigger points are pressed, and stimulation of these points have treatment effects. Conclusions : We suggest that Ashi method be used to identify the acupoints based on how patients react when these points are pressed. Ashi points may or may not correspond to classical or extra-acupoints, and share traits with myofascial trigger points.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.337-346
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• 2015

Sprain is the injury of meridian-muscle, and is caused by qi and blood obstruction or regional stagnation of qi and blood. So we take the channel points where pain flows. If we take the locations that feel pain, those locations are treatments points and ashi points. So we searched over the ashi points appearing on the patients with wrist sprain. Ashi points appeared on LI5, TE4, SI5 around wrist joints, LI10, LI11, LU6 around elbow joints, LI14, LU3, LU4, PC2 around upper arm. Also, ashi points appeared much on ST17, KI23, PC1, SP18, ST18 around thoracic region, and, on BL15, BL44, BL13 around anterior and thoracodorsal region, in order stated. Ashi points of the highest frequency appeared on LI14 around upper arm, and on LI5, TE4 around wrist joint, and SI5, ST17, KI12, PC1, SP18 appeared with second highest frequency. And ashi points on elbow points and thoracodorsal region appeared with the same frequency. Therefore, it is possible for us to know that the pain location appears in order of upper arm, anterior thoracic region, elbow joint region, and, thoracodorsal region, in treating wrist joints. There was a tendency that pain and movement disturbance recovered more quickly, depending on the pain reduction, as we found out the ashi points closely from stagnated qi and blood caused by wrist arthritis, and relaxed the stiff location. Rubbing treatments in treating pain ashi points is considered to play an important role to reduce pain effectively, so it is necessary to make a further study.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.262-272
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• 2020

Objectives: Whiplash injury is one of the major diseases in recent times because of increasing traffic accidents. This review aims to analyze the overall trend of studies on pharmacopuncture for whiplash injury after traffic accidents. Methods: We searched through 4 Korean electronic databases from 2001 up to October 2020 for relevant clinical studies for whiplash injury after traffic accidents, regardless of the patients' age, gender, or race. We included studies that had an intervention group receiving pharmacopuncture therapy with or without other additional treatments, and also included studies that had a control group receiving sham treatment or active treatment such as physical therapy and herbal medication. For the clinical outcomes, we did not place any restrictions on evaluation scales if they are objective metrics. Results: We included 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 10 non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs). 10 nRCTs were divided into 4 categories that were case-control studies, case series, case report, and retrospective observational study. In RCTs, Hwangryun-haedoktang (黃蓮解毒湯) pharmacopuncture was the most frequently used. In nRCTs, Jungsong-ouhyul (中性瘀血) pharmacopuncture, and bee venom pharmacopuncture were the most frequently used. As target points of Hwangryun-haedoktang pharmacopuncture, Ashi-points, Jianjing (GB21), and Fengchi (GB20) were the most frequently used. As target points of Jungsong-ouhyul pharmacopuncture, Ashi-points were the most frequently used. And as target points of Bee venom pharmacopuncture, Fengchi (GB20) was the most frequently used. Conclusion: Hwangryun-haedoktang pharmacopuncture, bee venom pharmacopuncture, and Jungsong-ouhyul pharmacopuncture were mainly used for whiplash injury, and their usual target points were Jianjing (GB21), Fengchi (GB20), and Ashi-points. However, a high level of evidence should be conducted through studies with systematic methodology in the future.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.71-90
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• 2003

The shoulder is the most flexible joint in human body, so many people suffer from the shoulder pain. In order to improve medical care about shoulder muscle disease, Myofascial Pain Syndrome(M.P.S) is compared with the oriental medical theory. The findings of this study are as follows; 1. Myofascial Pain Syndrome(M.P.S) is the sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms caused by myofascial trigger points. For the objectivity of the oriental medical theory, practical application is necessary. 2. The meridian and meridian-muscle of the shoulder is su-sam-yang(手三陽), su-sam-um(手三陰). Meridian-muscle theory is similar to anatomical muscle and myofascia. 3. There is similarity in the trigger point and Ashi(阿是)-point, taut band and palpable tender-point(硬結), referred pain and Hangki(行氣). In this study, myofacial pain syndrome is similar to the oriental medical theory. If myofacial pain syndrome is applicated in treatment, the cure of shoulder pain and objectivity of the oriental medical theory is improved.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.135-151
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• 2009

Objectives : To survey concept, meaning, and problems of beekeeper's bee sting therapy by reviewing and summarizing outline, indications, and clinical cases of 'Research on Bee Sting Therapy' described in Monthly Yangbonggye. Methods : As a narrative review, literature researches were carried out based on 'Research on Bee Sting Therapy' in Monthly Yangbonggye in the aspects of outline, indications, and clinical cases. In the concrete, outline was just summarized and described, and indications were categorized by recent version of international statistical classification of diseases and related health problems(ICD) of WHO(World health organization), and clinical cases were collected and summarized from the viewpoint of acupoints and methods of therapy. Results : 1. Bee sting therapy is to inject venom into skin by stimulating affected lesions or acupoints on meridian with sting of bee alive for therapeutic purposes. It can be divided into two classes(direct stimulation(直針法) and indirect stimulation(拔針法)) by the differences of methods, and is different from bee venom acupuncture therapy in the aspects of the way of extraction and injection. 2. In this material, bee sting therapy has 83 indications classified into 17 of 22 chapters of ICD. Among clinical cases, cases on neoplasm, goitre, lump, and haemorrhoids by direct stimulation were especially outstanding. 3. The therapeutic acupoints selected in bee sting therapy are mainly Ashi points(阿是穴), and partly acupoints on meridian(經穴), Extra points(經外奇穴), and New points(新穴) with careful consideration of patients' condition. Conclusions : Although bee sting therapy has more or less controversial points of diagnosis, treatment, and management of side effects, it is thought that the accumulated and inherited experiences from old times can be used as meaningful material by further experimental and clinical researches.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.33-43
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• 2023

Objectives : Floating acupuncture (FA) is a kind of newly developed acupuncture technique that contains its own apparatus. The technique has unique points that the body of the acupuncture needle stays intradermal space and manipulation is performed by shaking the needle horizontally; after manipulation, part of the needle remained in the intradermal space for 2~3 days. FA is not a common acupuncture methodology while various clinical study claims its efficacy on musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, the authors aimed to enhance the use of FA by comparing related theories. Methods : The authors reviewed classics, books, and articles related to FA, Meridian Muscle (MM), Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), and Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture (WAA), and compared its characteristics by related theory, related symptoms, apparatus, and performing procedures. Results : FA was related and had various common parts with MM, MPS, and WAA, however, there were unique parts in the manipulation, apparatus, and stimulation location. FA is based on MM and MPS which pointing 'ashi points' or 'trigger points' as a treating target while FA does not stimulate the points directly. FA also targets subcutaneous space by inserting the needle horizontally as WAA does, while FA remains the needle handle part in the subcutaneous area for 2~3 days for more stimulation. Conclusions : FA has a unique manipulation procedure and potential benefit for musculoskeletal disorders despite the crude theological base written by Fu himself. Thus, developing a new explanation and patient-friendly methodology/apparatus is required for further down-to-earth studies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.115-125
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• 2006

Objectives & methods : This study aimed to investigate and compare the traditional acupuncture treatment and Sa-am acupuncture treatment of stroke. We investigated ${\ll}$Sa-am chimgujeongjeon(舍岩鍼灸正傳)${\gg}$ for Sa-am acupuncture treatment, and ${\ll}$Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑)${\gg}$ and ${\ll}$Chimgudaesung (鍼灸大成)${\gg}$ for traditional acupuncture treatment. Results & Conclusion : 1. In the traditional acupuncture treatment, acupoints on CV, GV, GB, LI, ST meridians to remove pathogens such as fire, damp, phlegm, blood stagnation and Ashi points (nearby points) are often used rather than acupoints according to the diagnosis of excess & deficiency in organs and meridians. 2. In ${\ll}$Sa-am chimgujungjeon(舍岩鍼灸正傳)${\gg}$, symptoms of stroke are classified into 21 and each symptoms are analyzed according to the diagnosis of excess & deficiency of organs and meridians, consequently treated using tonification & sedation of corresponding meridians. 3. For the treatment of stroke in ${\ll}$Sa-am chimgujungjeon(舍岩鍼灸正傳)${\gg}$, tonification & sedation of the acupoints on related meridian is often omitted, using only the acupoints on targeted meridian. 4. In ${\ll}$Sa-am chimgujungjeon(舍岩鍼灸正傳)${\gg}$, empirical points are preferably used for the treatment of stroke.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2022

Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea is a representative disease that causes intestinal pain, and it has long been known that acupuncture treatment is effective. In this study, a network analysis was conducted using acupuncture points reported in the existing systematic literature review, and the combination of acupuncture points used to treat primary dysmenorrhea was analyzed. Methods: Among of a total of 60 papers, excluding those that used ear acupuncture, the analysis results indicated that combinations of BL23, BL40, BL25, BL60, BL30, Ashi-points, BL26, GB34, and GV3 were used in combination. Results: Through this, it can be seen that previous studies to reveal the effectiveness of acupuncture on back pain mainly used the acupoints of the bladder meridian (BL), local acupoints group, and distal acupoints group. Conclusion: In order to reveal the correlation between acupoints and therapeutic effects through future studies and to provide guidelines on the principles of selecting and combining acupoints, it is necessary to employ a quantitative analysis method for therapeutic effects and to provide detailed reports on acupoints.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2020

The effectiveness of fire needling or warm needling treatment in clinical studies for the treatment of ankle sprains was reviewed using 4 international (PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, CNKI) and 5 Korean databases (NDSL, RISS, KISS, OASIS, KTKP). Randomized controlled trials, that performed fire needling or warm needling treatment for ankle sprains until October, 2018 were retrieved (n = 8). All studies were performed in China, and 7 out of 8 studies were published within the last 5 years. There were 4 studies that used fire needling treatment, 3 studies used warm needling treatment, and 1 study used fire and warm needling treatment. The ashi-points and gallbladder meridian were the most frequently selected acupoint and meridian each. All intervention groups in the 8 studies showed statistically significant beneficial effects compared with control groups. The results of this study could provide preliminary data as the basis for well-designed randomized controlled trials on fire needling or warm needling treatment for ankle sprains.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.83-96
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the trends of acupuncture treatment on lateral epicondylitis. Methods : We investigated the recent clinical studies of acupuncture treatment for lateral epicondylitis via searching PubMed from 2007.1.1. to 2016.1.1. This study examined published years, the authors, journals, countries, types of study and classified articles by techniques of acupuncture. Results : 20 theses out of 38 were included, excluding papers duplicated or whose texts are not identified or not satisfying both acupuncture and lateral epicondylitis simultaneously. The theses were constantly published every year. Analyzed by journal, the most published journal was Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. The studies of China had the greatest number of the searched theses. The types of study were reviews, case series, and study protocol. The acupuncture technique used were Hwachim(burning acupuncture therapy), sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture, percutaneous needle electrolysis, electroacupuncture, small needle-knife, combination with local points and Tianzong(SI11), and anti-ashi-point. Conclusions : In order to develop acupuncture treatment of lateral epicondylitis, clinical studies on high level with objective evaluation scale are needed.