Personalized acupuncture treatment with Sasang typology

Abstract

The Sasang typology, traditional Korean personalized medicine, divides people into four Sasang types and suggests type-specific medical herbs and acupuncture for more safe and effective treatment. The main idea of Sasang typology seems relatively simple; however, the Sasang type diagnosis and type-specific treatment in clinical situation has been difficult for the clinicians and researchers. This study provided clinical procedures of type-specific Tae-Geuk Acupuncture (TGA) therapy along with basic understandings on Sasang typology and clinical indices for Sasang type differentiation. The TGA therapy would be useful for psychosomatic complaints and chronic pains by restoring the balance of Yin-Yang. The clinical application of TGA, its related biological mechanisms, and implications for further prospective clinical study were discussed.

Keywords: Sasang typology; Tae-Geuk Acupuncture; differential diagnosis; personalized acupuncture.

Fig. 1

Schematic flow for Sasang type diagnosis and treatment with type-specific acupoints. BMI, body mass index; PI, Ponderal index; SDFI, Sasang Digestive Functional Inventory; SPQ, Sasang Personality Questionnaire.

Fig. 2

Profiling of each Sasang type with type-specific clinical measures. BMI, body mass index; HA, harm avoidance; NS, novelty seeking; PI, Ponderal index; SDFI, Sasang Digestive Functional Inventory; SE, So-Eum; SPQ, Sasang Personality Questionnaire; SY, So-Yang; TCI, Temperament and Character Inventory; TE, Tae-Eum; TY, Tae-Yang.

Fig. 3

Examination of epigastric region tenderness. The epigastric region tenderness is examined by pressing with two hands for testing whether correct type-specific point stimulus is applied. If the right Sasang type-specific stimulus is applied, then the rebound pressure on this region is significantly decreased.