The effects of manual manipulation therapy on pain and dysfunction in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of manual manipulation therapy on the pain and dysfunction of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. [Participants and Methods] In this study, 30 patients with chronic back pain were evenly divided into an experimental group, who received manual traction therapy, and a control group, who received intermittent traction therapy. Both groups received therapy three times a week for eight weeks.

Effects of the flexion-distraction technique and drop technique on straight leg raising angle and intervertebral disc height of patients with an intervertebral disc herniation.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the flexion-distraction technique and drop technique on the straight leg raising angle and intervertebral disc height of patients with an intervertebral disc herniation. [Participants and Methods] Thirty patients with herniated intervertebral discs were divided into either an experimental group (n=15), who underwent flexion-distraction and drop techniques, or a control group (n=15), who obtained spinal decompression therapy. Both groups were treated three times per week for eight weeks.

The impact of manual spinal traction therapy on the pain and Oswestry disability index of patients with chronic back pain.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of manual spinal traction therapy on the pain and Oswestry disability index of patients with chronic back pain. [Participants and Methods] In this study, 30 patients with chronic back pain were evenly divided into an experimental group 1, who received manual traction therapy, and an experimental group 2, who received intermittent traction therapy. Both groups received therapy three times a week for eight weeks.

The effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the pain and function of patients with degenerative knee arthritis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the pain and function of patients with degenerative knee arthritis. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty patients with degenerative knee arthritis were divided into a conservative physical therapy group (n=10) and an extracorporeal shock wave therapy group (n=10). Both groups received general conservative physical therapy, and the extracorporeal shock wave therapy was additionally treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy after receiving conservative physical therapy.

Inflammatory features of melasma lesions in Asian skin.

Melasma is triggered by various factors including ultraviolet radiation and estrogen; however, its pathogenesis is unclear. To investigate the inflammatory features of melasma lesions as triggers for this disorder, 197 women with melasma who attended Asan Medical Center and Kangskin Clinic, Seoul, from June 2011 to October 2011 completed a questionnaire concerning triggering or aggravating factors. These cases were divided into "non-inflammatory" and "inflammatory" groups.

Split-face comparative study of 1550 nm fractional photothermolysis and trichloroacetic acid 15% chemical peeling for facial melasma in Asian skin.

Fractional photothermolysis (FP) therapy and chemical peels have been reported to be effective in patients with recalcitrant melasma. However, there is little information to compare the efficacy of single treatment session in Asian women. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy, long-lasting outcomes and safety of a single session of 1550-nm erbium-doped FP in Asian patients, compared with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel with a medium depth.

An unusual clinical presentation of tinea faciei caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. erinacei.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. erinacei, the natural host of which is the hedgehog, has been found to cause highly inflammatory and pruritic eruptions, including tinea manuum, tinea corporis, nail infection, kerion, scalp infection, and tinea barbae. To our knowledge, however, no reports have been made of tinea faciei caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var.

Erdheim-chester disease.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare, non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis of unknown etiology, characterized by multi-organ involvement. ECD is usually diagnosed on the basis of characteristic radiologic and histopathological findings. Lesions may be skeletal and/or extraskeletal in location, and may include the skin, lung, heart, and central nervous system.