Ju-Hyun Lee

Background: Conventional fluoroscopy-guided interventions for lumbar disc herniation involve radiation exposure and rare but serious complications. Ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture (USG-P) may provide a radiation-free image-guided approach for targeted periradicular treatment. This study evaluated the incremental effect and safety of USG-P when added to usual care in Korean medicine practice for radiating leg pain.Methods: This retrospective matched cohort study analyzed 84 outpatients treated between August 2024 and July 2025. Forty-two patients receiving USG-P plus usual care were matched 1:1 with 42 controls receiving usual care alone based on age, sex, symptom duration, and baseline leg pain intensity. The primary outcome was the overall between-group difference in radiating leg pain, assessed using a linear mixed-effects model.Results: The USG-P group experienced significantly less leg pain during the follow-up period (p < 0.001). The time-by-group interaction was not significant (p = 0.516). Time-point comparisons revealed a greater pain reduction in the USG-P group at 2 weeks (adjusted mean difference [AMD], −0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.11 to −0.15; p = 0.011) and at 4 weeks (AMD, −0.90; 95% CI, −1.45 to −0.35; p = 0.001). The responder rate at 4 weeks was higher in the USG-P group (45.2% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.016). No differences were observed for low back pain. Adverse events were infrequent, mild, and comparable between groups.Conclusion: Adding USG-P to usual care was associated with greater reduction in radiating leg pain and a favorable short-term safety profile.

Ju-Hyun Lee, Sang-Yoon Lee, Duk-Jong Yu, Hae-In Ahn, Young-Heum Yoon. Journal of Acupuncture Research 2026;43:14-9. https://doi.org/10.13045/jar.25.0021

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder characterized by excessive sweating beyond physiological requirements, which significantly interferes with daily functioning and quality of life. It affects approximately 4%– 5% of the population worldwide, yet its underlying pathophysiology remains unclear, with proposed mechanisms involving autonomic nervous system dysregulation, metabolic imbalance, and psychological factors. Here, we describe a case of chronic hyperhidrosis in which spontaneous sweating and facial flushing improved markedly following administration of Samhwangsasim-tang as monotherapy. A 66-year-old man presented with chronic hyperhidrosis occurring without identifiable triggers. Even minimal physical activity caused profuse craniofacial sweating accompanied by facial flushing, which was exacerbated by heat exposure and conditions associated with increased core body temperature. Based on his symptom pattern, Samhwangsasim-tang extract granules were prescribed. No other treatments, including acupuncture, cupping therapy, or conventional medications, were administered during the treatment period. Symptom severity was evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). After approximately 42 days of treatment, spontaneous sweating resolved completely (NRS 10 → 0; HDSS 4 → 1), and facial flushing was reduced to 20%– 30% of baseline severity (NRS 10 → 2– 3). This case suggests that the heat-clearing, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulating properties of Samhwangsasim-tang may contribute to the normalization of skin temperature, sweating regulation, and peripheral circulation. Further clinical and mechanistic studies are warranted to elucidate its therapeutic potential in hyperhidrosis.

Objectives: This study aims to collect and analyze the clinical researches of Korean medicine treatment for behcet’s disease, and to provide basis for additional research and treatment of behcet’s disease.Methods: Three researchers used six search engines to search for papers on Korean medicine treatment for behcet’s disease published from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2024. Bibliographic information, main and accompanied symptoms, treatment period, treatment method (Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture), assessment scale, and outcome after treatment of 11 retrieved articles were analyzed.Results: The most common symptom of behcet’s disease was pain (11 times). The most frequently used herbs were Dioscorea polystachya (18 times), Atractylodes macrocephala (17 times), Poria cocos (17 times), Bupleurum falcatum (16 times), and Crataegus pinnatifida (15 times), which were the composition of commonly used herbal medicine, Cheongyeoljeseub-bang (12 times), Chunsimyonnja-tang Gami (3 times), Chunsimyonnja-tang (2 times), Yangkyuk-san Gami (2 times), and Bojungikgi-tang Gami (2 times). The commonly used meridians were the Gall Bladder (17 times), Stomach (8 times), Large Intestine (7 times), and Spleen (6 times). The frequently mentioned acupoints were GB39 (3 times), LI11 (3 times), and Ashi point (3 times).Conclusions: Based on the above data, more reasonable research and treatment for behcet’s disease can be made in the future.

Objectives: This study aims to report a case of primary dysmenorrhea improved by Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaen gang-tang.Methods: The patient complained of symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, headache, chest tightness, and insomnia. The patient was diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea, considering that the pain existed just after the onset of menstruation and no clear causative lesion was found. As the patient's symptoms were thought to be due to decreased metabolism, Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang was prescribed.Results: About 75 days after administration of Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang, headache, insomnia, and chest thightness completely disappeared (NRS 10 → 0). Menstrual pain decreased to less than half of that of the first visit (NRS 10 → 3 on the first day, NRS 10 → 1 after the next day).Conclusion: This study is significant in that the patient's symptoms and overall condition were improved after administration of Dangguisaryeokgaosuyusenggang-tang.

Objectives: This study aims to report a case of chronic pityriasis lichenoides with cholinergic urticaria improved by Mahwang-tang.Methods: The patient visited our hospital with symptoms such as redness, erythema, papule, pruritus and stinging sensation all over the body. The patient was diagnosed with chronic pityriasis lichenoides with cholinergic urticaria based on the aggravating factors and symptom patterns. Considering the patient’s condition and symptoms, Mahwang-tang was prescribed.Results: Skin symptoms improved by half (Total Score 10 → 5). Pruritus (NRS 7 → 1) and stinging sensation (NRS 7 → 0) almost disappeared, and sleep quality also improved (NRS 4 → 0). Liver function values (AST 46, ALT 64), which were high at the first visit, also improved. The patient started to sweat more and lost about 4 kg while taking Mahwang-tang.Conclusion: This study is significant in that the patient’s skin symptoms and overall condition improved after administration of Mahwang-tang.

Purpose: This study is a retrospective, multicenter research designed to report the efficacy of Korean medicine subcision therapies in scar treatment. Patients and Methods: Charts and photographs of 29 patients who received subcision treatment between May 2016 and June 2020 in four scar treatment network clinics were analyzed. The Qualitative Global Acne Scarring Grade System (QGASC) and the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES) were used to objectively measure scar scores. Results: Except for 4 patients whose GASGS and SBSES scores remained unchanged, most patients’ scars showed improvement from Visit 2 to about Visit 8. Furthermore, the degree of change for both scales was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Subcision therapy using acupuncture has been found to be an effective treatment for scar, with statistically significant improvements in patients’ SBSES and QGASC scores.

Objectives: This research is designed to analyze the relationship between Sayeok-tang(四逆湯) and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in literature.Methods: The main treatment symptoms of Sayeok-tang(四逆湯) presented in Sanghanron(傷寒論) and Geumgweyoryak (金匱要略), and the symptoms of Ju-hwang(走黃) and Nae-ham(內陷), which is a sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in Korean medicine were analyzed. The symptoms of systemic inflammatory response syndrome presented in the related researches including diagnosis criteria and international guideline presented at the consensus conference hosted by the American College of Chest Physicians and The Society of Critical Care Medicine were also compared and analyzed.Results: The main treatment symptoms of Sayeok-tang(四逆湯) and symptoms of systemic inflammatory response were very similar, and were almost identical to the symptoms of Nae-ham (內陷, especially Gun-ham (乾陷) and Heo-ham(虛陷)), which are the Korean medicine descriptions of sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.Conclusions: Based on the research results, Sayeok-tang(四逆湯) can be used as a treatment of systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Objectives: This study aims to report a case of chronic nummular dermatitis improved by Hwangryunagyo-tang.Methods: The patient in this study was a 15-year-old female, who visited our hospital with symptoms such as redness, erythema, papule, excoriation, scale, exudation, crusting, lichenification, and pruritus of the extremities and trunk. Considering that the skin lesions were coin-shaped and persisted for more than 6 months, the patient's symptoms were diagnosed as chronic nummular eczema. Based on the patient's symptoms and overall condition, Hwangryunagyo-tang was prescribed.Results: Approximately 4 months after administration of Hwangryunagyo-tang, the exudate disappeared, and overall skin symptoms improved, from objective score 33.7 to 6.6, leaving only slight scale, dryness, and pigmentation. As the pruritus of the skin lesion decreased from numeric rating scale 8 to 1, the patient's sleeping condition also improved from numeric rating scale 9 to 0.Conclusion: This study is significant in that the symptoms of chronic nummular dermatitis were effectively improved after administration of Hwangryunagyo-tang.