Effect of Contralateral Acupuncture (Geoja Technique) in Musculoskeletal Disorders Stratified by Pulse Strength Differences: A Retrospective Study

Purpose: This retrospective case study explored the effect of contralateral acupuncture (Geoja technique) on patients with one-sided musculoskeletal pain disorders. Patients and Methods: This retrospective observational study reviewed 109 patients treated for unilateral musculoskeletal pain. Their demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded. Patients were categorized into two groups based on pulse strength differences, diagnosed using a classic Korean medicine method rooted in Donguibogam. Disability and pain intensity were measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Range of Motion (ROM). The treatment effect was assessed by comparing the improvement rates between these groups. Results: All 109 patients received contralateral acupuncture treatment. Significant improvements in disability and pain intensity were observed in the 65 patients with pulse strength differences. The mean differences and improvement rate of NRS showed clinically relevant changes in both groups; however, the improvement rate in the group with pulse strength differences was statistically significantly higher than in the 44 patients without pulse strength differences. Conclusion: This study suggests the 2, potential of contralateral acupuncture for pain relief, ROM improvement, and maintaining normal function in patients with musculoskeletal diseases. It also highlights the importance of pulse strength difference for effective treatment. Further studies are required to ensure appropriate patient selection, integrate treatment guidelines, and ascertain optimal outcome measurement criteria to draw robust conclusions regarding the effectiveness of treating musculoskeletal disorders.