Hello, I'm Dr. Kim Seong-hoon from Namhansanseong Korean Medicine Clinic.
Have you heard of the 'autonomic nervous system'—your body's control system?
The autonomic nervous system regulates life-sustaining functions like heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and body temperature without conscious effort. It operates through two balanced axes that can be compared to a car's accelerator and brake: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.
The sympathetic nervous system is commonly explained as governing activity and tension, while the parasympathetic nervous system handles stability and recovery.
Just as using the accelerator and brake appropriately is crucial when driving, maintaining balance between these two functions is vital for our bodies.
Particularly when excessive stress continues, the autonomic nervous system's balance is disrupted, potentially triggering various diseases.
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nerves
Korea has a saying: "Stress is the root of all illness." Indeed, when excessive stress continues, the sympathetic nervous system becomes overactivated while the parasympathetic nervous system—responsible for stability and rest—deteriorates.
This ultimately causes the body's overall functions to lose control, a condition known as 'autonomic nervous system dysfunction.'
📌 Autonomic Nervous Imbalance Requires a Holistic View
Problems arising from autonomic nervous system dysregulation are explained by two theories:
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Sangyeolhahan (上熱下寒 - Upper Heat, Lower Cold)
When the sympathetic nervous system is excessively activated, heart and brain functions intensify, raising temperature and creating heat. At the same time, the lower abdomen and digestive system tend to feel colder.
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Gut-Brain Axis
This theory explains how the brain and gut work together. When stress increases, digestion slows down and gut function becomes less efficient.
Therefore, Korean medicine approaches the treatment of conditions by restoring the body's overall balance and harmony. Feeling discomfort or tightness in the heart doesn’t always mean that treating only the heart will solve the problem. 🤔🫀
Treating with Korean Medicine
To treat disease, accurate diagnosis must come first.
At Namhansanseong Korean Medicine Clinic, we conduct autonomic nervous system testing using a range of equipment.
📌 Autonomic Nervous System Testing
Through autonomic nervous system testing, we assess heart rate, arterial stiffness, carotid artery thickness, and plaque—factors that can reflect how the body responds to long-term stress.
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Step 1: HRV (Heart Rate Variability) Testing
This is the most representative autonomic nervous system test. By analyzing subtle changes in heartbeat, we can measure autonomic nervous system activity, balance state, and stress resistance. We currently uses the Medicore 3000NEW testing device for HRV peripheral vascular examination. -
Step 2: Arterial Stiffness Measurement Blood Pressure Monitor (KOROT)
When the sympathetic nervous system is excessively activated, heart and brain blood vessels also become excessively tense. When this state persists, the body's arterial stiffness (degree of hardening) can increase. Measuring not just blood pressure but arterial stiffness allows us to assess the patient's usual stress state and vascular health. -
Step 3: Ultrasound Examination
We also use ultrasound for testing. Through this, we measure carotid artery (neck artery) thickness and examine plaque (debris accumulated on vessel walls) to confirm cardiovascular health.
📌 Korean Medicine Treatment for Autonomic Nervous System
So, how does Korean medicine treat abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system?
It's based on the 'Sangyeolhahan' and 'Gut-Brain Axis' theories. Essentially, we cool the upper body (heart, brain) above the solar plexus and warm and activate the intestines below.
Acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and Chuna therapy are particularly effective:
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Acupuncture to Promote Circulation
Acupuncture facilitates the body's energy flow, enabling good communication between the upper and lower bodies. -
Herbal Medicine with Detailed Area-Specific Prescriptions
We appropriately combine herbs that cool the heart and brain + herbs that warm the abdomen + herbs that facilitate communication between the two, customizing prescriptions for each individual. -
Moxibustion to Infuse Warmth
Moxibustion is a treatment method that directly infuses warmth into those with lower cold conditions. -
Chuna to Release Rigid Body
When stress persists long-term, the sympathetic nervous system area becomes structurally very rigid and tense. Actively addressing this with Chuna enhances the effects of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion.
📌 JeonJung: Located at the Heart's Center
The most important diagnostic and treatment point for autonomic nervous system treatment is Jeonjung (전중 or Shanzhong, CV17). This acupoint is located at the sternum's exact center—the point where a horizontal line connecting both nipples meets.
In Korean medicine, this point is also called 'Sea of Qi (氣海)', where the body's entire Qi gathers and circulates.
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Heart's Center:
Located mid-chest, it excels at relieving stuffy, blocked emotions and calming the mind. -
Used for Anxiety, Depression, Hwabyeong Treatment:
This acupoint is frequently used for stress-induced anxiety, depression, and 'Hwabyeong' (anger syndrome) symptoms. It helps relieve emotional tension.
Uncomfortable symptoms related to the autonomic nervous system are often either misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all.
Korean medicine views this from the perspective of the body's overall balance, considering diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention together.
"For the part can never be well unless the whole is well." - Plato
If you're curious about treatment that strives to view people and the world with an equitable perspective and treat the whole, visit Namhansanseong Korean Medicine Clinic.
We hope you find both physical and mental health at our clinic embraced by nature. 🌿
