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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
RCT Neck Pain

Effectiveness of acupuncture for chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial

Cho JH, Nam DH, Kim KT, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation (2023)

62% NDI Improvement
75% Headache Frequency Reduction
6 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Acupuncture demonstrates superior effects compared to physical therapy in pain relief and functional recovery for chronic neck pain, and concurrent improvement of cervicogenic headache has also been confirmed, supporting its recommendation as a first-line treatment option for neck pain.

View Source 2023
RCT Neck Pain

Effectiveness of acupuncture for chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial

Cho JH, Nam DH, Kim KT, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation (2023)
62% NDI Improvement
75% Headache Frequency Reduction
6 Weeks Time to Meaningful Improvement

Summary

An 8-week RCT comparing acupuncture vs. physical therapy in 96 patients with chronic neck pain. The acupuncture group showed an average 62% improvement in NDI (Neck Disability Index) scores from baseline — significantly higher than the physical therapy group (38% improvement).

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture demonstrates superior effects compared to physical therapy in pain relief and functional recovery for chronic neck pain, and concurrent improvement of cervicogenic headache has also been confirmed, supporting its recommendation as a first-line treatment option for neck pain.

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Systematic Review Neck Pain

Systematic review of cervical chuna therapy for forward head posture correction

Lee JH, Park SJ, Kim MR, et al.

European Journal of Integrative Medicine (2022)

8.3° CVA Angle Improvement
89% Patient Satisfaction
9 Studies Studies Included

Cervical chuna therapy shows significant effects in forward head posture correction and neck pain relief compared to conventional physical therapy, and may serve as a core component of non-surgical treatment strategies for cervical alignment recovery.

View Source 2022
Systematic Review Neck Pain

Systematic review of cervical chuna therapy for forward head posture correction

Lee JH, Park SJ, Kim MR, et al. European Journal of Integrative Medicine (2022)
8.3° CVA Angle Improvement
89% Patient Satisfaction
9 Studies Studies Included

Summary

A meta-analysis of 9 RCTs (total 847 participants) showed cervical chuna therapy improved CVA (Craniovertebral Angle) by an average of 8.3° vs. conventional physical therapy — significantly effective at correcting forward head posture. VAS pain scores also improved more in the chuna group.

Key Conclusion

Cervical chuna therapy shows significant effects in forward head posture correction and neck pain relief compared to conventional physical therapy, and may serve as a core component of non-surgical treatment strategies for cervical alignment recovery.

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Narrative Review Neck Pain

Effect of pharmacopuncture for neck pain with cervicogenic headache: a retrospective chart review

Lee JH, Park SY, Kim EJ, et al.

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2023)

65% NDI Improvement
74% Headache Frequency Reduction
94 Patients Records Analyzed

Pharmacopuncture significantly improved pain and functional impairment in patients with chronic neck pain accompanied by cervicogenic headache, supporting its application as a core modality in integrated Korean medicine care.

View Source 2023
Narrative Review Neck Pain

Effect of pharmacopuncture for neck pain with cervicogenic headache: a retrospective chart review

Lee JH, Park SY, Kim EJ, et al. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2023)
65% NDI Improvement
74% Headache Frequency Reduction
94 Patients Records Analyzed

Summary

A retrospective analysis of medical records from 94 patients with neck pain accompanied by cervicogenic headache. The group receiving 6+ weeks of pharmacopuncture (bee venom/anti-inflammatory) showed an average 65% improvement in NDI, with headache frequency reduced from 4.2 to 1.1 per week.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture significantly improved pain and functional impairment in patients with chronic neck pain accompanied by cervicogenic headache, supporting its application as a core modality in integrated Korean medicine care.

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Systematic Review Neck Pain

Effect of Acupuncture Treatment for Cervical Pain Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)

78% Pain Reduction Rate
1,248 subjects Participants

Acupuncture treatment is an effective and safe treatment for cervical pain management, showing superior results when combined with existing treatments.

View Source 2023
Systematic Review Neck Pain

Effect of Acupuncture Treatment for Cervical Pain Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Kim SH, Park JW, Lee MK, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2023)
78% Pain Reduction Rate
1,248 subjects Participants

Summary

Eighteen randomized controlled trials targeting 1,248 cervical pain patients were systematically analyzed. The acupuncture treatment group showed significant reduction in VAS pain scores compared with the control group, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) also improved. Treatment effects were shown to persist for more than 4 weeks.

Key Conclusion

Acupuncture treatment is an effective and safe treatment for cervical pain management, showing superior results when combined with existing treatments.

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RCT Neck Pain

Clinical Effect of Chuna Therapy for Cervical Disc Herniation Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lee JH, Choi YJ, Shin BC, et al.

Spine (2022)

82% Pain Reduction Rate
86 subjects Participants

Chuna therapy has significant effects on pain reduction and functional recovery in cervical disc herniation patients.

View Source 2022
RCT Neck Pain

Clinical Effect of Chuna Therapy for Cervical Disc Herniation Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lee JH, Choi YJ, Shin BC, et al. Spine (2022)
82% Pain Reduction Rate
86 subjects Participants

Summary

Eighty-six patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation were randomly assigned to chuna therapy and physical therapy groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, cervical ROM significantly increased in the chuna therapy group, and pain intensity and functional disability scores improved more substantially compared with the control group.

Key Conclusion

Chuna therapy has significant effects on pain reduction and functional recovery in cervical disc herniation patients.

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Before-After Neck Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Combined Treatment for Forward Head Posture Syndrome Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Park MJ, Kim DH, Yoon SW, et al.

Journal of Korean Medicine (2021)

74% Posture Improvement Rate
64 subjects Participants

Korean medicine combined treatment is effective for structural and functional improvement of forward head posture syndrome.

View Source 2021
Before-After Neck Pain

Effect of Korean Medicine Combined Treatment for Forward Head Posture Syndrome Patients: A Pre-Post Comparison Study

Park MJ, Kim DH, Yoon SW, et al. Journal of Korean Medicine (2021)
74% Posture Improvement Rate
64 subjects Participants

Summary

Combined Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture treatment, chuna therapy, and Korean medicine physical therapy was administered for 6 weeks to 64 office workers diagnosed with forward head posture syndrome. After treatment, cervical lordosis angle increased significantly, and VAS and NDI scores decreased substantially.

Key Conclusion

Korean medicine combined treatment is effective for structural and functional improvement of forward head posture syndrome.

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Cohort Study Neck Pain

Effect of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for Straight Neck Patients: A Cohort Study

Cho HJ, Jung SY, Han CH, et al.

Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)

71% Cervical Curvature Improvement Rate
152 subjects Participants

Pharmacopuncture treatment shows superior effects to regular acupuncture treatment in structural correction and pain management for straight neck patients.

View Source 2023
Cohort Study Neck Pain

Effect of Pharmacopuncture Treatment for Straight Neck Patients: A Cohort Study

Cho HJ, Jung SY, Han CH, et al. Acupuncture in Medicine (2023)
71% Cervical Curvature Improvement Rate
152 subjects Participants

Summary

One hundred fifty-two patients diagnosed with straight neck were divided into pharmacopuncture treatment and regular acupuncture treatment groups and followed for 12 weeks. The pharmacopuncture treatment group showed faster cervical curvature recovery and significantly lower pain recurrence rates.

Key Conclusion

Pharmacopuncture treatment shows superior effects to regular acupuncture treatment in structural correction and pain management for straight neck patients.

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Systematic Review Neck Pain

Systematic Review of Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture in Cervical Disc Herniation Patients

Yoo JH, Kim TH, Lim CS, et al.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)

68% Inflammatory Marker Reduction Rate
874 subjects Total Participants

Bee venom pharmacopuncture has significant effects on inflammatory response regulation in cervical disc herniation and can be considered as a non-surgical treatment option.

View Source 2024
Systematic Review Neck Pain

Systematic Review of Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture in Cervical Disc Herniation Patients

Yoo JH, Kim TH, Lim CS, et al. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2024)
68% Inflammatory Marker Reduction Rate
874 subjects Total Participants

Summary

Twelve studies investigating the anti-inflammatory effect of bee venom pharmacopuncture treatment for cervical disc herniation were systematically analyzed. Bee venom pharmacopuncture significantly reduced inflammatory markers such as CRP and IL-6, and was also effective for relieving nerve root compression symptoms.

Key Conclusion

Bee venom pharmacopuncture has significant effects on inflammatory response regulation in cervical disc herniation and can be considered as a non-surgical treatment option.

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RCT Neck Pain

Effect of Combined Acupuncture and Korean Medicine Physical Therapy for Acute Cervical Sprain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo BK, Lim SH, Park YC, et al.

Pain Medicine (2022)

87% Pain Reduction Rate
108 subjects Participants

The combination of acupuncture and Korean medicine physical therapy is a more effective and safer alternative than drug treatment in acute cervical sprain.

View Source 2022
RCT Neck Pain

Effect of Combined Acupuncture and Korean Medicine Physical Therapy for Acute Cervical Sprain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo BK, Lim SH, Park YC, et al. Pain Medicine (2022)
87% Pain Reduction Rate
108 subjects Participants

Summary

One hundred eight patients with acute cervical sprain were assigned to combined acupuncture + Korean medicine physical therapy and anti-inflammatory analgesic alone groups. After 4 weeks, pain reduction and cervical function recovery were significantly superior in the combined treatment group, with lower side effect incidence.

Key Conclusion

The combination of acupuncture and Korean medicine physical therapy is a more effective and safer alternative than drug treatment in acute cervical sprain.

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Meta-Analysis Neck Pain

Long-Term Effect of Chuna Therapy for Chronic Cervical Pain: A Meta-Analysis

Hwang EH, Kim KW, Nam DH, et al.

The Journal of Pain (2023)

76% Effective Rate
2,156 subjects Total Participants

Chuna therapy is an effective treatment with moderate or higher evidence for pain and functional disability improvement in chronic cervical pain patients.

View Source 2023
Meta-Analysis Neck Pain

Long-Term Effect of Chuna Therapy for Chronic Cervical Pain: A Meta-Analysis

Hwang EH, Kim KW, Nam DH, et al. The Journal of Pain (2023)
76% Effective Rate
2,156 subjects Total Participants

Summary

Twenty-two RCTs evaluating the effect of chuna therapy in chronic cervical pain patients were meta-analyzed. Chuna therapy showed significant improvements in pain intensity (SMD=-0.84), cervical disability (SMD=-0.72), and quality of life (SMD=0.65).

Key Conclusion

Chuna therapy is an effective treatment with moderate or higher evidence for pain and functional disability improvement in chronic cervical pain patients.

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Systematic Review Neck Pain

Effect of Dry Needling for Cervical Pain Patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Moon SK, Jang JH, Kwon OJ, et al.

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2021)

81% Trigger Point Resolution Rate
698 subjects Total Participants

Dry needling is an effective treatment method for cervical pain with myofascial pain syndrome and is particularly useful for treating active trigger points.

View Source 2021
Systematic Review Neck Pain

Effect of Dry Needling for Cervical Pain Patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Moon SK, Jang JH, Kwon OJ, et al. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2021)
81% Trigger Point Resolution Rate
698 subjects Total Participants

Summary

Fifteen studies investigating the effect of dry needling treatment for cervical pain patients with myofascial pain syndrome were analyzed. Dry needling significantly increased pressure threshold of active trigger points and reduced pain intensity and muscle stiffness.

Key Conclusion

Dry needling is an effective treatment method for cervical pain with myofascial pain syndrome and is particularly useful for treating active trigger points.

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RCT Neck Pain

Effect of Combined Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Treatment for Cervical Disc Patients: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2024)

89% Symptom Improvement Rate
204 subjects Participants

The combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment shows superior treatment outcomes to acupuncture treatment alone in cervical disc patients.

View Source 2024
RCT Neck Pain

Effect of Combined Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Treatment for Cervical Disc Patients: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Shin JS, Ha IH, Lee TG, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2024)
89% Symptom Improvement Rate
204 subjects Participants

Summary

Two hundred four patients with cervical disc disease from 3 Korean medicine hospitals were compared between combined herbal medicine + acupuncture treatment and acupuncture treatment alone groups. After 12 weeks, NRS pain scores decreased by an average additional 3.2 points in the combined group, and disc size reduction on MRI was also observed.

Key Conclusion

The combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment shows superior treatment outcomes to acupuncture treatment alone in cervical disc patients.

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