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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

Comparison of Pharmacopuncture and Steroid Injection in Lateral Epicondylitis: A Meta-analysis

Go HY, Park TY, Jang JB, et al.

Pain Medicine (2025)

12% 6-Month Recurrence Rate
684 subjects Total Participants

Pharmacopuncture demonstrates equivalent short-term efficacy to steroid injection with superior long-term prognosis.

View Source 2025
Meta-Analysis Elbow Pain

Comparison of Pharmacopuncture and Steroid Injection in Lateral Epicondylitis: A Meta-analysis

Go HY, Park TY, Jang JB, et al. Pain Medicine (2025)
12% 6-Month Recurrence Rate
684 subjects Total Participants

Summary

Nine randomized controlled trials (684 subjects total) comparing pharmacopuncture with steroid injection were meta-analyzed. Short-term (4-week) effects were equivalent, but the pharmacopuncture group showed significantly lower recurrence rates at long-term (6-month) follow-up.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture demonstrates equivalent short-term efficacy to steroid injection with superior long-term prognosis.

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Cross-Sectional Elbow Pain

Survey on Korean Medicine Healthcare Utilization Among Medial Epicondylitis Patients

Kang JW, Kim AR, Shin MS, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)

92% Acupuncture Utilization
428 subjects Surveyed

Korean medicine utilization for medial epicondylitis patients centers on acupuncture, with various treatments used in combination.

View Source 2023
Cross-Sectional Elbow Pain

Survey on Korean Medicine Healthcare Utilization Among Medial Epicondylitis Patients

Kang JW, Kim AR, Shin MS, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2023)
92% Acupuncture Utilization
428 subjects Surveyed

Summary

A cross-sectional survey of 428 patients visiting Korean medicine institutions for medial epicondylitis was conducted on treatment utilization patterns. Acupuncture (92%), Korean medicine physical therapy (76%), and pharmacopuncture (54%) were the most utilized treatments.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine utilization for medial epicondylitis patients centers on acupuncture, with various treatments used in combination.

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Before-After Elbow Pain

Study of Immunomodulatory Mechanism of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture in Tennis Elbow

Lee SY, Kim KS, Ha IH, et al.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2021)

64% Immune Marker Improvement
56 subjects Participants

The therapeutic effect of bee venom pharmacopuncture in tennis elbow is associated with immunomodulatory mechanisms.

View Source 2021
Before-After Elbow Pain

Study of Immunomodulatory Mechanism of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture in Tennis Elbow

Lee SY, Kim KS, Ha IH, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2021)
64% Immune Marker Improvement
56 subjects Participants

Summary

Blood immune indicators were analyzed before and after bee venom pharmacopuncture treatment in 56 patients with lateral epicondylitis. Th1/Th2 balance was improved and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels increased after treatment.

Key Conclusion

The therapeutic effect of bee venom pharmacopuncture in tennis elbow is associated with immunomodulatory mechanisms.

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Before-After Elbow Pain

Effect of Chuna Manipulation Considering the Cervical-Upper Limb Movement Chain on Lateral Epicondylitis Patients

Byun SH, Koh WU, Lee GM, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)

78% Pain Reduction Rate
63 subjects Participants

Chuna manipulation considering movement chains is effective in fundamentally addressing lateral epicondylitis.

View Source 2024
Before-After Elbow Pain

Effect of Chuna Manipulation Considering the Cervical-Upper Limb Movement Chain on Lateral Epicondylitis Patients

Byun SH, Koh WU, Lee GM, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)
78% Pain Reduction Rate
63 subjects Participants

Summary

Sixty-three patients with lateral epicondylitis received chuna manipulation considering the entire upper limb movement chain. After treatment, cervical range of motion, shoulder flexibility, and elbow joint pain all showed significant improvement.

Key Conclusion

Chuna manipulation considering movement chains is effective in fundamentally addressing lateral epicondylitis.

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Case Study Elbow Pain

Case Series of Korean Medicine Treatment for Refractory Tennis Elbow

Oh SY, Choi DJ, Han JM, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)

87% Treatment Response Rate
15 cases Case Number

Korean medicine combined treatment can be an effective alternative even in refractory tennis elbow.

View Source 2022
Case Study Elbow Pain

Case Series of Korean Medicine Treatment for Refractory Tennis Elbow

Oh SY, Choi DJ, Han JM, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2022)
87% Treatment Response Rate
15 cases Case Number

Summary

Fifteen patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis unresponsive to conventional treatment received combined acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, chuna, and herbal medicine. After 12 weeks of treatment, 13 patients (87%) showed meaningful pain reduction and functional recovery.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine combined treatment can be an effective alternative even in refractory tennis elbow.

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RCT Elbow Pain

Effect of Moxibustion on Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jung WS, Moon SK, Ko CN, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

74% Pain Reduction Rate
88 subjects Participants

Moxibustion is an effective complementary treatment for pain reduction and grip strength recovery in lateral epicondylitis.

View Source 2023
RCT Elbow Pain

Effect of Moxibustion on Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jung WS, Moon SK, Ko CN, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
74% Pain Reduction Rate
88 subjects Participants

Summary

Eighty-eight patients with lateral epicondylitis were randomized to moxibustion or sham moxibustion groups for 6 weeks of treatment. The moxibustion group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in pain scores and grip strength.

Key Conclusion

Moxibustion is an effective complementary treatment for pain reduction and grip strength recovery in lateral epicondylitis.

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Before-After Elbow Pain

Analysis of Ultrasonographic Changes Following Pharmacopuncture in Golfer's Elbow Patients

Heo KH, Kim BK, Lee JD, et al.

Pain Medicine (2024)

58% Tendon Thickness Reduction
41 subjects Participants

Pharmacopuncture promotes tendon structural recovery in medial epicondylitis patients as confirmed by ultrasound.

View Source 2024
Before-After Elbow Pain

Analysis of Ultrasonographic Changes Following Pharmacopuncture in Golfer's Elbow Patients

Heo KH, Kim BK, Lee JD, et al. Pain Medicine (2024)
58% Tendon Thickness Reduction
41 subjects Participants

Summary

Forty-one patients with medial epicondylitis received pharmacopuncture for 8 weeks, with structural changes of the tendon tracked via ultrasound. Reduced tendon thickness, improved echo changes, and decreased neovascularization were observed after treatment.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture promotes tendon structural recovery in medial epicondylitis patients as confirmed by ultrasound.

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Narrative Review Elbow Pain

Review of Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Elbow Joint Pain

Son YS, Kim JI, Choi JY, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2020)

28 papers Analyzed Literature
5 mechanisms Major Mechanisms

The pain-relieving effect of acupuncture in elbow joint pain can be explained by neurophysiological mechanisms.

View Source 2020
Narrative Review Elbow Pain

Review of Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Elbow Joint Pain

Son YS, Kim JI, Choi JY, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2020)
28 papers Analyzed Literature
5 mechanisms Major Mechanisms

Summary

The mechanism of acupuncture for elbow joint pain was reviewed from a neurophysiological perspective. Mechanisms confirmed include activation of descending pain inhibition pathways and increased local blood flow induced by acupuncture stimulation.

Key Conclusion

The pain-relieving effect of acupuncture in elbow joint pain can be explained by neurophysiological mechanisms.

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Meta-Analysis Elbow Pain

Meta-analysis of Combined Korean Medicine Physical Therapy and Acupuncture in Tennis Elbow Patients

Park SW, Chae HB, Kim TH, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2025)

90% Pain Reduction Rate
798 subjects Total Participants

The combination of Korean medicine physical therapy and acupuncture demonstrates synergistic effects in tennis elbow treatment.

View Source 2025
Meta-Analysis Elbow Pain

Meta-analysis of Combined Korean Medicine Physical Therapy and Acupuncture in Tennis Elbow Patients

Park SW, Chae HB, Kim TH, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2025)
90% Pain Reduction Rate
798 subjects Total Participants

Summary

Eleven randomized controlled trials (798 subjects total) on combined Korean medicine physical therapy and acupuncture were meta-analyzed. The combination treatment demonstrated significantly superior pain reduction and functional recovery compared to either monotherapy.

Key Conclusion

The combination of Korean medicine physical therapy and acupuncture demonstrates synergistic effects in tennis elbow treatment.

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RCT Elbow Pain

Comparison of Treatment Effects by Electroacupuncture Stimulation Parameters in Lateral Epicondylitis

Chae Y, Lee HJ, Kim ST, et al.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2022)

88% Low-Frequency Pain Reduction
120 subjects Participants

2 Hz low-frequency electroacupuncture is the most effective electroacupuncture parameter in lateral epicondylitis treatment.

View Source 2022
RCT Elbow Pain

Comparison of Treatment Effects by Electroacupuncture Stimulation Parameters in Lateral Epicondylitis

Chae Y, Lee HJ, Kim ST, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2022)
88% Low-Frequency Pain Reduction
120 subjects Participants

Summary

One hundred twenty patients with lateral epicondylitis were assigned to low-frequency electroacupuncture, high-frequency electroacupuncture, or conventional acupuncture groups. The low-frequency group demonstrated the most superior pain reduction and grip strength recovery.

Key Conclusion

2 Hz low-frequency electroacupuncture is the most effective electroacupuncture parameter in lateral epicondylitis treatment.

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Cohort Study Elbow Pain

Cohort Study of Korean Medicine Combined Treatment for Chronic Medial Epicondylitis

Kim MS, Lee HS, Leem JT, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)

85% Treatment Response Rate
167 subjects Participants

Korean medicine combined treatment provides sustained therapeutic effects for chronic medial epicondylitis.

View Source 2024
Cohort Study Elbow Pain

Cohort Study of Korean Medicine Combined Treatment for Chronic Medial Epicondylitis

Kim MS, Lee HS, Leem JT, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2024)
85% Treatment Response Rate
167 subjects Participants

Summary

One hundred sixty-seven patients with chronic medial epicondylitis received Korean medicine combined treatment (acupuncture+pharmacopuncture+Korean medicine physical therapy) and were followed for 6 months. At treatment completion, 85% of patients showed meaningful improvement, with effects maintained at 6-month follow-up.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine combined treatment provides sustained therapeutic effects for chronic medial epicondylitis.

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Systematic Review Elbow Pain

Effect of Needle-Knife Therapy on Elbow Joint Pain: A Systematic Review

Yoon SH, Han CH, Shin KM, et al.

Pain Medicine (2023)

80% Pain Reduction Rate
16 studies Analyzed Studies

Needle-knife therapy is accumulating evidence as an effective treatment for elbow tendinopathy.

View Source 2023
Systematic Review Elbow Pain

Effect of Needle-Knife Therapy on Elbow Joint Pain: A Systematic Review

Yoon SH, Han CH, Shin KM, et al. Pain Medicine (2023)
80% Pain Reduction Rate
16 studies Analyzed Studies

Summary

Sixteen studies applying needle-knife therapy to elbow joint pain were systematically reviewed. Needle-knife therapy was shown to be effective in adhesion release and pain reduction in chronic tendinopathy.

Key Conclusion

Needle-knife therapy is accumulating evidence as an effective treatment for elbow tendinopathy.

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