''Yakchim'' is one of the many treatments in

traditional Korean medicine Traditional Korean medicine (known in North Korea as Koryo medicine) refers to the forms of traditional medicine practiced in Korea. History Korean medicine traditions originated in ancient and prehistoric times and can be traced back as far a ...

treatment. It is also called pharmacopuncture, Korean herb acupuncture and

acupuncture Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body. Acupuncture is a pseudoscience; the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scientifi ...

with medicinal herbs.

Definition

Traditional Korean medicine treatment of injecting herbal medicinal substances on the '' gyeonghyeol'' (經穴:

Acupuncture points This article provides a comprehensive list of acupuncture points, locations on the body used in acupuncture, acupressure, and other treatment systems based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Locations and basis More than four hundred ...

= the points of ''kyungrak'' (= meridians, 經絡)) which acts as both acupuncture stimulation and direct medicinal dosage.

Background

Since herbal extracts can be absorbed directly without passing through the gastrointestinal tract, the effects of pharmacopuncture are expected to be realized more quickly than oral herbal medicine.

Menopausal symptoms

In traditional

Korean medicine Traditional Korean medicine (known in North Korea as Koryo medicine) refers to the forms of traditional medicine practiced in Korea. History Korean medicine traditions originated in ancient and prehistoric times and can be traced back as far a ...

, many

menopausal symptoms Menopause, also known as the climacteric, is the time in women's lives when menstrual periods stop permanently, and they are no longer able to bear children. Menopause usually occurs between the age of 47 and 54. Medical professionals often d ...

, such as

hot flashes Hot flashes (also known as hot flushes) are a form of flushing, often caused by the changing hormone levels that are characteristic of menopause. They are typically experienced as a feeling of intense heat with sweating and rapid heartbeat, and ...

, dry mucosa, sleep disorders, and recurrent urinary tract infections, are regarded as being due to a deficiency of

yin Yin may refer to: *the dark force in the yin and yang from traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine *Yīn (surname) (), a Chinese surname *Yǐn (surname) (), a Chinese surname *Shang dynasty, also known as the Yin dynasty **Yinxu or Yin, the S ...

in the

kidneys The kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blood ...

. The normal functions of the kidneys in Korean medicine include thermoregulation, sexuality, and water homeostasis. Kidney function may decline with increasing age, and especially during the menopause. Yin is identified with receiving and regenerative elements. The hominis

placenta The placenta is a temporary embryonic and later fetal organ that begins developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrient, gas and waste exchange between the physically separate mater ...

is believed to replenish the yin in the kidneys. Thus, the pharmacopuncture treatment for menopausal symptoms are subcutaneous injections of a human placenta extract into four acupoints (CV4, CV6, and bilateral Ex-BB1).

References

* Ahn Sang-Woo "A reference to the original source of herb-acupuncture in methods" Journal of Korean Yakchim Association 1.1 January 1997: 87-10
http://kmbase.medric.or.kr/Main.aspx?d=KMBASE&m=VIEW&i=1138519970010010087

Bibliography

* {{cite journal , author=Yakchim Association : International Society of Kyungrak Immuno-therapy

External links