ArticleIntegrative medicine research2021
Using magnetic resonance imaging to measure the depth of acupotomy points in the lumbar spine: A retrospective study.
Article in Integrative medicine research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effectiveness of Acupotomy Combined with Epidural Steroid Injection for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Pragmatic Pilot Study.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2024Trial
- Nucleus Pulposus Resorption Following a Paraspinal Hook-Needle Intervention for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report.Clinical case reports · 2026Article
- Comparative evaluation of short vs. long needles in deep ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture for acute low back pain: study protocol.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Diversity and Safety of Acupotomy Treatments for Lumbar Spine Disorders in South Korea: A Review of Clinical Studies.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Article
- Implementation of Objective Structured Clinical Examination on Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Training in Undergraduate Traditional Korean Medicine Education: An Action Research.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe acupotomy is an acupuncture device recently used to stimulate lumbar vertebrae such as transverse processes (TPs) and facet joints (FJs). However, there are many organs, nerves, and blood vessels, which can lead to side effects if the needle misses the treatment target. Therefore, information regarding appropriate insertion depths, which is currently lacking, could facilitate its safe use. We retrospectively investigated the depth from the skin to the TP and FJ of the lumbar vertebrae, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
methodsThis retrospective chart review was conducted at a single medical centre in Korea. From 55,129 patient records, 158 subjects were selected. Perpendicular depth from the skin to the left and right TPs and FJs was measured using T1-weighted sagittal plane MRI. Depth differences between the left and right sides were evaluated using the paired
resultsThe mean age was 43.2 years and mean BMI was 23.6 kg/m
conclusionThe depth of TPs and FJs adjusted for BMI can safely and effectively be used for treatment via various invasive interventions, including acupotomy treatment, in the lumbar region.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.