title: Korean acupuncture: the individualized and practical acupuncture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acupuncture has long been a central part of medicine in East Asia. Recently its therapeutic effects are world-widely recognized with scientific bases being established by means of basic research and clinical studies in the biomedical sciences. Even though Korean acupuncture (KA) shares its origins with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it has developed into its own unique system.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the unique characteristics of KA and discussed the potential contributions of KA to modern medicine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individualized approach by KA is based on constitutional energy traits which are considered as a main element in Saam, Taegeuk and eight constitution acupunctures. New practical and integrated forms of therapeutic modalities, such as herbal acupuncture or pharmacopuncture, have also been developed by KA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given its individualized and practical characteristics, KA is expected to make significant contributions to the understanding and the treatment of neurological disorders through basic research and clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture, CHA Biomedical Center, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, Seoul 135-081, Korea.
authors.forename: Changshik
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Hi-Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Younbyoung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Eunyoung
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Hun-Kuk
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyang-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyeonggyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Sungkeel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Sunmi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Yeonhee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Hyejung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D026881:Acupuncture / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D010686:Philosophy, Medical