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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 45 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
Narrative Review Ankle / Foot Pain

Narrative Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Achilles Tendinitis

Bae GH, Won SY, Cho SH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021)

32 studies Number of Reviewed Studies
Various Treatment Methods

Korean medicine treatment is useful for the multifaceted approach to Achilles tendinitis, but the development of standardized treatment protocols is urgently needed.

View Source 2021
Narrative Review Ankle / Foot Pain

Narrative Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Achilles Tendinitis

Bae GH, Won SY, Cho SH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021)
32 studies Number of Reviewed Studies
Various Treatment Methods

Summary

Korean medicine treatments for Achilles tendinitis were comprehensively reviewed. The mechanisms and clinical evidence of various interventions including acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine were analyzed.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment is useful for the multifaceted approach to Achilles tendinitis, but the development of standardized treatment protocols is urgently needed.

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Cross-Sectional Ankle / Foot Pain

Cross-Sectional Survey of the Correlation Between Ankle Instability and Foot Alignment Abnormalities in Korean Medicine Clinic Patients

Jung HW, Cho EH, Kang TY, et al.

Foot & Ankle International (2022)

189 subjects Number of Participants
OR 2.4 Odds Ratio

Foot alignment abnormalities are an important risk factor for ankle instability and should be corrected during treatment.

View Source 2022
Cross-Sectional Ankle / Foot Pain

Cross-Sectional Survey of the Correlation Between Ankle Instability and Foot Alignment Abnormalities in Korean Medicine Clinic Patients

Jung HW, Cho EH, Kang TY, et al. Foot & Ankle International (2022)
189 subjects Number of Participants
OR 2.4 Odds Ratio

Summary

Foot alignment was evaluated in 189 patients who visited a Korean medicine clinic with ankle instability. The prevalence of ankle instability was significantly higher in patients with flatfoot and cavus foot.

Key Conclusion

Foot alignment abnormalities are an important risk factor for ankle instability and should be corrected during treatment.

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RCT Ankle / Foot Pain

Comparison of Electroacupuncture and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Song JH, Lee KS, Park HM, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)

87% Pain Improvement Rate
110 subjects Number of Participants

Electroacupuncture demonstrates effects equivalent to extracorporeal shock wave therapy in plantar fasciitis treatment with superior patient acceptability.

View Source 2023
RCT Ankle / Foot Pain

Comparison of Electroacupuncture and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Song JH, Lee KS, Park HM, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)
87% Pain Improvement Rate
110 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

One hundred ten patients with plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to an electroacupuncture group or an extracorporeal shock wave therapy group and treated for 6 weeks. Both groups showed significant pain reduction, with higher patient satisfaction in the electroacupuncture group.

Key Conclusion

Electroacupuncture demonstrates effects equivalent to extracorporeal shock wave therapy in plantar fasciitis treatment with superior patient acceptability.

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Cohort Study Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of Herbal Medicine on Joint Cartilage Protection in Ankle Osteoarthritis Patients: A Cohort Study

Oh JM, Yun YC, Kim BL, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2025)

95 subjects Number of Participants
34% Cartilage Degeneration Delay

Herbal medicine treatment may contribute to delaying cartilage degeneration in ankle osteoarthritis patients.

View Source 2025
Cohort Study Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of Herbal Medicine on Joint Cartilage Protection in Ankle Osteoarthritis Patients: A Cohort Study

Oh JM, Yun YC, Kim BL, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2025)
95 subjects Number of Participants
34% Cartilage Degeneration Delay

Summary

Ninety-five patients with ankle osteoarthritis were divided into herbal medicine and non-medication groups and followed for 12 months. The rate of cartilage thickness reduction on MRI was significantly slower in the herbal medicine group.

Key Conclusion

Herbal medicine treatment may contribute to delaying cartilage degeneration in ankle osteoarthritis patients.

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RCT Ankle / Foot Pain

Central Nervous System Modulation Mechanism of Acupuncture for Chronic Foot Pain: A Functional MRI Study

Ryu JH, Kim WS, Ahn SH, et al.

Pain Medicine (2023)

60 subjects Number of Participants
p<0.001 Statistical Significance

Acupuncture relieves chronic foot pain by activating central nervous system pain modulation mechanisms.

View Source 2023
RCT Ankle / Foot Pain

Central Nervous System Modulation Mechanism of Acupuncture for Chronic Foot Pain: A Functional MRI Study

Ryu JH, Kim WS, Ahn SH, et al. Pain Medicine (2023)
60 subjects Number of Participants
p<0.001 Statistical Significance

Summary

Thirty patients with chronic foot pain and 30 healthy controls underwent fMRI scanning before and after acupuncture treatment. After acupuncture, activity in pain-related brain regions changed significantly, and descending pain modulation pathways were activated.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture relieves chronic foot pain by activating central nervous system pain modulation mechanisms.

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Meta-Analysis Ankle / Foot Pain

Meta-Analysis of Korean Medicine Physical Therapy for Ankle Sprains

Jeon SG, Moon SK, Cho KH, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)

22 studies Number of Included Studies
5.3 days Recovery Time Reduction

Adjunctive Korean medicine physical therapy has a significant effect in shortening recovery time in ankle sprain patients.

View Source 2024
Meta-Analysis Ankle / Foot Pain

Meta-Analysis of Korean Medicine Physical Therapy for Ankle Sprains

Jeon SG, Moon SK, Cho KH, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024)
22 studies Number of Included Studies
5.3 days Recovery Time Reduction

Summary

Data from 22 studies and 1,580 patients on Korean medicine physical therapy for ankle sprains were meta-analyzed. The combined Korean medicine physical therapy group showed an average 5.3-day reduction in functional recovery time compared to monotherapy.

Key Conclusion

Adjunctive Korean medicine physical therapy has a significant effect in shortening recovery time in ankle sprain patients.

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RCT Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of Combined Taping Therapy and Acupuncture on Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Ko HJ, Yang JM, Shin BC, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

74% Pain Reduction Rate
56 subjects Number of Participants

The combination of taping therapy and acupuncture is effective in alleviating the characteristic morning pain of plantar fasciitis.

View Source 2023
RCT Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of Combined Taping Therapy and Acupuncture on Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Ko HJ, Yang JM, Shin BC, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
74% Pain Reduction Rate
56 subjects Number of Participants

Summary

Fifty-six patients with plantar fasciitis were compared between a taping monotherapy group and a combined taping-acupuncture group. The combined treatment group showed significantly greater reduction in first-step morning pain after 4 weeks.

Key Conclusion

The combination of taping therapy and acupuncture is effective in alleviating the characteristic morning pain of plantar fasciitis.

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Before-After Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Combination Therapy on Quality of Life in Ankle Osteoarthritis Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Min SB, Hwang EH, Kim KW, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)

62 subjects Number of Participants
68% Quality of Life Improvement Rate

Korean medicine combination therapy contributes not only to pain relief but also to improving quality of life in ankle osteoarthritis patients.

View Source 2022
Before-After Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Combination Therapy on Quality of Life in Ankle Osteoarthritis Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Min SB, Hwang EH, Kim KW, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022)
62 subjects Number of Participants
68% Quality of Life Improvement Rate

Summary

A 12-week combination therapy including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine was administered to 62 patients diagnosed with ankle osteoarthritis. Both WOMAC and SF-36 scores improved significantly.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine combination therapy contributes not only to pain relief but also to improving quality of life in ankle osteoarthritis patients.

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Systematic Review Ankle / Foot Pain

Comparative Effects of Pharmacopuncture and Needle-Knife Therapy in Achilles Tendinitis: A Systematic Review

Im YG, Baek SH, Noh SH, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)

11 studies Number of Included Studies
687 subjects Total Participants

Both pharmacopuncture and needle-knife therapy are effective in treating Achilles tendinitis, and tailored selection based on patient characteristics is recommended.

View Source 2024
Systematic Review Ankle / Foot Pain

Comparative Effects of Pharmacopuncture and Needle-Knife Therapy in Achilles Tendinitis: A Systematic Review

Im YG, Baek SH, Noh SH, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)
11 studies Number of Included Studies
687 subjects Total Participants

Summary

Eleven studies comparing the effects of pharmacopuncture and needle-knife therapy for Achilles tendinitis were systematically reviewed. Both treatments demonstrated significant effects, with needle-knife therapy showing a slight advantage in short-term outcomes.

Key Conclusion

Both pharmacopuncture and needle-knife therapy are effective in treating Achilles tendinitis, and tailored selection based on patient characteristics is recommended.

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Before-After Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of Chuna Manipulation on Proprioceptive Recovery After Ankle Sprain

Woo SJ, Lim JH, Cha YY, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)

48 subjects Number of Participants
73% Balance Improvement Rate

Chuna manipulation is an effective treatment for restoring proprioception following ankle sprain.

View Source 2024
Before-After Ankle / Foot Pain

Effect of Chuna Manipulation on Proprioceptive Recovery After Ankle Sprain

Woo SJ, Lim JH, Cha YY, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)
48 subjects Number of Participants
73% Balance Improvement Rate

Summary

Forty-eight patients with reduced proprioception after ankle sprains underwent chuna manipulation twice weekly for 8 weeks. Balance test scores and joint position sense improved significantly.

Key Conclusion

Chuna manipulation is an effective treatment for restoring proprioception following ankle sprain.

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Before-After Ankle / Foot Pain

Thermal Effects and Blood Flow Changes of Korean Medicine Physical Therapy in Foot Pain Patients

Yang KH, Jeong MJ, Kim GC, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

72 subjects Number of Participants
41% Blood Flow Increase

Korean medicine physical therapy improves foot blood circulation, promoting pain relief and tissue recovery.

View Source 2023
Before-After Ankle / Foot Pain

Thermal Effects and Blood Flow Changes of Korean Medicine Physical Therapy in Foot Pain Patients

Yang KH, Jeong MJ, Kim GC, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
72 subjects Number of Participants
41% Blood Flow Increase

Summary

Thermal effects and blood flow changes of Korean medicine physical therapy (thermal therapy, cupping, electrotherapy) were evaluated in 72 patients with foot pain using infrared thermography and Doppler ultrasound. Significant blood flow increase was observed both immediately and 24 hours after treatment.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine physical therapy improves foot blood circulation, promoting pain relief and tissue recovery.

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Cohort Study Ankle / Foot Pain

Long-Term Follow-Up Cohort Study of Acupuncture for Chronic Ankle Instability

Kang JE, Son CG, Cho JH, et al.

Pain Medicine (2025)

150 subjects Number of Participants
58% Re-injury Reduction

Acupuncture contributes to improving long-term prognosis in patients with chronic ankle instability.

View Source 2025
Cohort Study Ankle / Foot Pain

Long-Term Follow-Up Cohort Study of Acupuncture for Chronic Ankle Instability

Kang JE, Son CG, Cho JH, et al. Pain Medicine (2025)
150 subjects Number of Participants
58% Re-injury Reduction

Summary

One hundred fifty patients with chronic ankle instability were divided into acupuncture and conventional rehabilitation groups and followed for 2 years. The acupuncture group showed a significantly lower ankle re-injury rate and superior subjective stability scores.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture contributes to improving long-term prognosis in patients with chronic ankle instability.

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