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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 44 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
Meta-Analysis Elbow Pain

Systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis

Trinh KV, Phillips SD, Ho E, et al.

Rheumatology (2004)

73% Pain Improvement Rate
6 Studies Studies Included
2 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Acupuncture is effective for short-term pain relief in lateral epicondylitis, and synergistic effects can be expected when combined with conventional conservative care, making it a viable component of an integrated treatment strategy.

View Source 2004
Meta-Analysis Elbow Pain

Systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis

Trinh KV, Phillips SD, Ho E, et al. Rheumatology (2004)
73% Pain Improvement Rate
6 Studies Studies Included
2 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Summary

A meta-analysis of 6 RCTs (total 282 participants) showed acupuncture provided significant short-term pain relief for lateral epicondylitis compared to sham acupuncture. Pain improvement was notable at 2 weeks, with positive effects on grip strength recovery.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is effective for short-term pain relief in lateral epicondylitis, and synergistic effects can be expected when combined with conventional conservative care, making it a viable component of an integrated treatment strategy.

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Cohort Study Elbow Pain

Effect of bee-venom pharmacopuncture on elbow tendinopathy: a prospective clinical study

Park JA, Shin HK, Kim YS, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation (2021)

71% Pain Improvement Rate
35% Grip Strength Improvement
8 Weeks Treatment Duration

Bee-venom pharmacopuncture is effective for pain relief and functional recovery in elbow tendinopathy, with superior long-term prognosis compared to steroid injection, and can be considered a first-line treatment option for chronic elbow pain.

View Source 2021
Cohort Study Elbow Pain

Effect of bee-venom pharmacopuncture on elbow tendinopathy: a prospective clinical study

Park JA, Shin HK, Kim YS, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation (2021)
71% Pain Improvement Rate
35% Grip Strength Improvement
8 Weeks Treatment Duration

Summary

A prospective study of 68 patients with elbow tendinopathy (tennis/golf elbow) receiving 8 weeks of bee-venom pharmacopuncture. VAS pain scores decreased by an average 71% from baseline, and grip strength improved by 35%. At 3-month follow-up, recurrence was significantly lower than controls.

Key Conclusion

Bee-venom pharmacopuncture is effective for pain relief and functional recovery in elbow tendinopathy, with superior long-term prognosis compared to steroid injection, and can be considered a first-line treatment option for chronic elbow pain.

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RCT Elbow Pain

Effect of topical herbal patch and acupuncture for medial epicondylitis: a randomized controlled trial

Yoon JH, Kim MK, Shin BC, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

72% DASH Improvement
34% Grip Strength Increase
64 Patients Participants

Combining topical herbal patches with acupuncture showed superior effects compared to physiotherapy in pain reduction and upper-limb functional recovery in medial epicondylitis.

View Source 2023
RCT Elbow Pain

Effect of topical herbal patch and acupuncture for medial epicondylitis: a randomized controlled trial

Yoon JH, Kim MK, Shin BC, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
72% DASH Improvement
34% Grip Strength Increase
64 Patients Participants

Summary

64 patients with medial epicondylitis (golf elbow) were randomized to topical herbal patch + acupuncture vs. physical therapy for 8 weeks. The Korean medicine group had an average 34% grip strength increase and 72% improvement in DASH scores — significantly higher than physical therapy (48%).

Key Conclusion

Combining topical herbal patches with acupuncture showed superior effects compared to physiotherapy in pain reduction and upper-limb functional recovery in medial epicondylitis.

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Systematic Review Elbow Pain

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Kim SH, Park JW, Lee MK, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

87% Pain Reduction Rate
1245 subjects Participants

Acupuncture is confirmed as an effective treatment for pain reduction and functional recovery in tennis elbow.

View Source 2023
Systematic Review Elbow Pain

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Kim SH, Park JW, Lee MK, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
87% Pain Reduction Rate
1245 subjects Participants

Summary

Eighteen randomized controlled trials involving 1,245 patients with lateral epicondylitis were systematically reviewed. The acupuncture group showed significant reductions in VAS scores compared with controls, and demonstrated superior outcomes in grip strength recovery.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture is confirmed as an effective treatment for pain reduction and functional recovery in tennis elbow.

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RCT Elbow Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Pharmacopuncture for Patients with Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Lee JH, Choi YS, Han KW, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)

82% Pain Reduction Rate
86 subjects Participants

Pharmacopuncture demonstrated significant efficacy in pain and functional improvement for golfer's elbow patients.

View Source 2024
RCT Elbow Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Pharmacopuncture for Patients with Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Lee JH, Choi YS, Han KW, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2024)
82% Pain Reduction Rate
86 subjects Participants

Summary

Eighty-six patients with medial epicondylitis were randomized to pharmacopuncture or sham pharmacopuncture groups for 8 weeks of treatment. Statistically significant improvements were observed in pain intensity, grip strength, and activities of daily living function in the pharmacopuncture group.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture demonstrated significant efficacy in pain and functional improvement for golfer's elbow patients.

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Meta-Analysis Elbow Pain

Comparative Meta-analysis of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Conventional Acupuncture for Lateral Epicondylitis

Park MJ, Song YK, Kim DH, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2023)

0.67 Standardized Mean Difference
892 subjects Participants

Bee venom pharmacopuncture was shown to be more effective than conventional acupuncture in treating lateral epicondylitis.

View Source 2023
Meta-Analysis Elbow Pain

Comparative Meta-analysis of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Conventional Acupuncture for Lateral Epicondylitis

Park MJ, Song YK, Kim DH, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2023)
0.67 Standardized Mean Difference
892 subjects Participants

Summary

Twelve studies (892 subjects total) comparing bee venom pharmacopuncture with conventional acupuncture were meta-analyzed. The bee venom group demonstrated significant superiority in pain reduction with a standardized mean difference of -0.67 compared to conventional acupuncture.

Key Conclusion

Bee venom pharmacopuncture was shown to be more effective than conventional acupuncture in treating lateral epicondylitis.

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Cohort Study Elbow Pain

Effect of Combined Chuna Manipulation and Acupuncture on Chronic Tennis Elbow: A Prospective Cohort Study

Cho HJ, Yun SJ, Baek IH, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2022)

91% Symptom Improvement Rate
154 subjects Participants

The combination of chuna manipulation and acupuncture showed superior efficacy over acupuncture monotherapy in chronic tennis elbow.

View Source 2022
Cohort Study Elbow Pain

Effect of Combined Chuna Manipulation and Acupuncture on Chronic Tennis Elbow: A Prospective Cohort Study

Cho HJ, Yun SJ, Baek IH, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2022)
91% Symptom Improvement Rate
154 subjects Participants

Summary

A 12-week follow-up was conducted on 154 patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis comparing combined chuna and acupuncture treatment with acupuncture monotherapy. The combination group demonstrated significantly superior improvements in pain, grip strength, and DASH scores.

Key Conclusion

The combination of chuna manipulation and acupuncture showed superior efficacy over acupuncture monotherapy in chronic tennis elbow.

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Systematic Review Elbow Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Physical Therapy on Elbow Joint Pain: A Systematic Review

Shin WC, Kim YR, Jung HJ, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021)

79% Pain Reduction Rate
876 subjects Total Subjects

Korean medicine physical therapy is useful as an adjunctive treatment in elbow joint pain management.

View Source 2021
Systematic Review Elbow Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Physical Therapy on Elbow Joint Pain: A Systematic Review

Shin WC, Kim YR, Jung HJ, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021)
79% Pain Reduction Rate
876 subjects Total Subjects

Summary

Fifteen studies applying Korean medicine physical therapy (cupping, moxibustion, transcutaneous infrared, etc.) to elbow joint pain were systematically reviewed. Korean medicine physical therapy demonstrated consistent positive results in pain reduction and joint range of motion improvement.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine physical therapy is useful as an adjunctive treatment in elbow joint pain management.

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RCT Elbow Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Combined Acupuncture and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Medial Epicondylitis

Yang KS, Lee DW, Hwang JH, et al.

Pain Medicine (2024)

89% Pain Reduction Rate
112 subjects Participants

The combination of acupuncture and extracorporeal shock wave therapy demonstrates superior long-term efficacy compared to either monotherapy in medial epicondylitis.

View Source 2024
RCT Elbow Pain

Randomized Controlled Trial of Combined Acupuncture and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Medial Epicondylitis

Yang KS, Lee DW, Hwang JH, et al. Pain Medicine (2024)
89% Pain Reduction Rate
112 subjects Participants

Summary

One hundred twelve patients with medial epicondylitis were randomized to acupuncture plus shock wave, acupuncture monotherapy, or shock wave monotherapy groups. The combination group demonstrated the greatest VAS score reduction, with effects maintained at 6-month follow-up.

Key Conclusion

The combination of acupuncture and extracorporeal shock wave therapy demonstrates superior long-term efficacy compared to either monotherapy in medial epicondylitis.

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Before-After Elbow Pain

Pre-Post Comparison Study of the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Pharmacopuncture in Tennis Elbow Patients

Jang SM, Ryu BH, Oh MS, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)

76% Inflammatory Marker Reduction
68 subjects Participants

Pharmacopuncture is effective in suppressing inflammatory responses and alleviating pain in tennis elbow.

View Source 2023
Before-After Elbow Pain

Pre-Post Comparison Study of the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Pharmacopuncture in Tennis Elbow Patients

Jang SM, Ryu BH, Oh MS, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2023)
76% Inflammatory Marker Reduction
68 subjects Participants

Summary

Sixty-eight patients with lateral epicondylitis received pharmacopuncture for 6 weeks, with comparison of pre- and post-treatment inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6) and pain scores. Both inflammatory indicators and pain decreased significantly after treatment.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture is effective in suppressing inflammatory responses and alleviating pain in tennis elbow.

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Narrative Review Elbow Pain

Narrative Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow

Kwon OJ, Seo BK, Lee SH, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2020)

42 papers Analyzed Literature
15 years Search Period

Korean medicine treatment for lateral epicondylitis has diverse evidence, and an integrative approach is recommended.

View Source 2020
Narrative Review Elbow Pain

Narrative Review of Korean Medicine Treatment for Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow

Kwon OJ, Seo BK, Lee SH, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2020)
42 papers Analyzed Literature
15 years Search Period

Summary

Domestic and international literature on Korean medicine treatment methods for lateral epicondylitis (acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, chuna, herbal medicine, physical therapy, etc.) was comprehensively reviewed. Various Korean medicine interventions were confirmed to be effective alone or in combination.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine treatment for lateral epicondylitis has diverse evidence, and an integrative approach is recommended.

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RCT Elbow Pain

Effect of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture on Pain and Function in Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis Patients: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Lim JA, Kim HY, Cha WS, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2025)

84% Functional Improvement Rate
196 subjects Participants

Bee venom pharmacopuncture demonstrates clinically significant efficacy in pain and function improvement for chronic lateral epicondylitis.

View Source 2025
RCT Elbow Pain

Effect of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture on Pain and Function in Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis Patients: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Lim JA, Kim HY, Cha WS, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2025)
84% Functional Improvement Rate
196 subjects Participants

Summary

One hundred ninety-six patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis at 4 Korean medicine hospitals were randomized to bee venom pharmacopuncture or saline pharmacopuncture groups. The bee venom group demonstrated significantly greater PRTEE score reduction at 8 weeks.

Key Conclusion

Bee venom pharmacopuncture demonstrates clinically significant efficacy in pain and function improvement for chronic lateral epicondylitis.

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