Question 1

My mouth suddenly drooped and I can't close my eye. Why does facial palsy (gu-an-wa-sa) happen?

Accepted Answer

It occurs when the 7th facial nerve is compressed by inflammation and swelling within its narrow bony canal. The most common form, Bell's palsy, is thought to be triggered by viral infection.

Question 2

My mouth twisted after extreme overwork and lack of sleep. Can being exhausted really be the cause?

Accepted Answer

Overwork and sleep deprivation drain the body's energy, undermining blood flow and immunity to the facial area. A depleted, run-down body is an important backdrop to onset.

Question 3

Is acupuncture actually effective for facial paralysis? I'm confused because different clinics give conflicting advice.

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatments performed on facial acupoints such as Jichang and Xieju are effective for symptom improvement when combined with Western medical treatment. They stimulate both nerve-related circulation and muscle rehabilitation.

Question 4

Does herbal medicine help facial palsy recovery? How is it different from just getting acupuncture?

Accepted Answer

Herbal medicine matched to your pattern, such as Gyeonjeong-san, calms nerve inflammation and replenishes depleted qi and blood to aid recovery. If acupuncture is local stimulation, herbal medicine addresses the flow of the whole body.

Question 5

Are there foods I should avoid during facial palsy treatment? I usually enjoy coffee and salty food.

Accepted Answer

Caffeine dries out the mucous membranes, and salty or heavily seasoned food raises blood viscosity and hinders circulation. Cutting back during treatment is good for recovery.

Question 6

My facial palsy came during a period of heavy stress and overtime. What should I change to prevent recurrence?

Accepted Answer

Chronic stress overactivates the sympathetic nervous system, constricting microvessels and lowering immunity. Adequate sleep and relaxation are the keys to preventing recurrence.

Question 7

Is it safe to take the steroids prescribed by my doctor together with herbal medicine?

Accepted Answer

In most cases they can be combined, but the type of herbal medicine and the timing need to be coordinated. Be sure to tell your Korean medicine doctor about your prescribed medications.

Question 8

How long does it take for facial palsy to fully heal? I'm worried about my job.

Accepted Answer

Mild cases may take a few weeks, severe cases several months. The course of recovery within 6 to 8 weeks of onset and the initial House-Brackmann grade determine the prognosis.

Question 9

I heard after-effects can remain if treatment starts late. What kind of after-effects are there, and can they be prevented?

Accepted Answer

If recovery is incomplete, after-effects such as synkinesis and facial contracture can remain. Starting treatment quickly within 72 hours of onset is the key to preventing them.

Question 10

My eye won't close and it's very uncomfortable at night. How do I prevent corneal damage?

Accepted Answer

Use artificial tears frequently, apply eye ointment at bedtime, then close the eye with tape or an eye patch. If the eye can't close, there is a risk of corneal damage, so prompt measures are needed.

Question 11

Are there facial muscle exercises I can do at home? I've also heard they can do harm if done wrong.

Accepted Answer

In front of a mirror, gently practice closing the eye, pursing the lips, and wrinkling the forehead three times a day. Excessive force can worsen synkinesis, so don't overdo it.

Question 12

How often do I need to visit Dongjedang in Dongincheon? Do I have to come every day?

Accepted Answer

The acute phase (1 to 2 weeks) is usually 4 to 5 times a week, the recovery phase 3 times a week, and the later phase 1 to 2 times a week. It is adjusted according to severity and recovery speed.

Question 13

How do you tell facial paralysis from a stroke apart from facial palsy (gu-an-wa-sa)? I heard if the forehead wrinkles it's okay.

Accepted Answer

In peripheral palsy (gu-an-wa-sa) the forehead won't wrinkle and the eye won't close, but in stroke (central type) the forehead is normal and only the lower face is paralyzed. If limb weakness or slurred speech also occur, go to the emergency room immediately.

Question 14

They say the 72 hours after facial palsy onset is the golden time. Do I really have to start treatment within that window?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the 72 hours after onset is the golden time. Starting steroids together with Korean medicine treatment in this window makes a big difference in reducing nerve damage and preventing after-effects.

Question 15

How does Korean medicine treatment differ between the early stage and the recovery phase?

Accepted Answer

The acute phase uses clearing-the-upper-body and detoxifying to address heat and blood stasis, the recovery phase focuses on circulation and muscle rehabilitation, and the later phase on suppressing after-effects and replenishing qi and blood, changing stage by stage.

Question 16

If I receive treatment diligently, can I fully return to how I was before? Or will some trace remain?

Accepted Answer

Mild to moderate cases have a high chance of full recovery. Severe cases may leave a subtle asymmetry, but in many cases recovery reaches a level that doesn't interfere with daily life.

Question 17

My ear hurts terribly and blisters appeared, and now I have facial paralysis. Is this Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

Accepted Answer

When blisters and pain around the ear appear together with facial paralysis, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is suspected. It recovers more slowly and has a lower cure rate than Bell's palsy, so early antiviral treatment is important.

Question 18

Along with facial paralysis I developed tinnitus and hearing loss. Are the two symptoms related?

Accepted Answer

The facial nerve and the auditory nerve run very close together inside the ear, so hearing abnormalities can accompany facial paralysis. This is especially common in Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

Question 19

I'm in my 30s working in Dongincheon and under heavy stress. Does grinding my teeth in my sleep also affect the jaw joint?

Accepted Answer

Yes, teeth grinding (bruxism) is a key cause of jaw joint overload. When grinding repeats during sleep, damage gradually builds up in the joint disc and chewing muscles.

Question 20

I look down at my smartphone with my neck bent all day. Is it true that poor neck posture can also harm the jaw joint?

Accepted Answer

That's correct. Forward head posture disrupts the alignment of the cervical spine, throwing the force on the jaw joint to one side and potentially worsening facial asymmetry.

Question 21

Does acupuncture really work for jaw joint pain? My dentist told me to wear an appliance, but can I also visit a Korean medicine clinic at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture helps reduce pain in the chewing muscles and widen the range of mouth opening. When received together with a dental occlusal stabilization appliance, the two complement each other.

Question 22

My facial asymmetry is already visibly severe. Can it be improved with Korean medicine treatment, or do I need surgery?

Accepted Answer

Asymmetry caused by one-sided muscle development or posture improves considerably with Chuna and acupuncture. However, if the shape of the jawbone itself is severely distorted, collaboration with oral and maxillofacial surgery may be needed.

Question 23

I enjoy eating hard foods like dried filefish and dried squid. Is that bad for the jaw joint? I live in Dong-gu and often eat them as late-night snacks.

Accepted Answer

Hard, chewy foods are a representative trigger food that delivers repeated impact to the chewing muscles and the joint disc, worsening symptoms.

Question 24

I love spicy and cold foods. Is it forbidden to eat them during jaw joint treatment?

Accepted Answer

Spicy, stimulating foods raise tension and stiffen the muscles further, while cold foods block circulation and slow recovery. It's best to cut back during treatment.

Question 25

Is it okay to take herbal medicine together with the anti-inflammatory painkillers I got from the orthopedic clinic?

Accepted Answer

In most cases they can be taken together, but you must inform your Korean medicine doctor of the medications you are taking. Some ingredients may share the same liver-processing pathways.

Question 26

Can temporomandibular joint disorder be completely cured? I've heard it often recurs even with diligent treatment.

Accepted Answer

In most cases, with active treatment, pain and limited mouth opening improve significantly. However, if you don't manage triggers such as teeth grinding and stress, it can flare up again.

Question 27

How long do I need to receive treatment for facial asymmetry before I notice improvement?

Accepted Answer

Asymmetry caused by muscles or posture usually shows change after three to six months of treatment. Cases involving the shape of the bone require a longer period.

Question 28

I heard sleeping posture affects the jaw joint. Do I need to break my habit of sleeping on my side?

Accepted Answer

Sleeping on your side, especially always on one side, can press the jaw joint to one side and worsen asymmetry. Sleeping on your back (facing the ceiling) is best.

Question 29

I have habits like chewing gum, chewing food only on one side, and resting my chin on my hand. How should I fix them?

Accepted Answer

These three are representative triggering habits for jaw joint imbalance. You need a conscious effort to chew evenly on both sides and to reduce resting your chin on your hand.

Question 30

How often do I need to receive Korean medicine treatment for the jaw joint? I'm so busy I can only come once a week. Will it still be effective?

Accepted Answer

Two to three times a week is ideal in the early stage, but once a week is also effective if received consistently. Continuing the treatment matters more than the interval.

Question 31

I saw massages and exercises online for correcting the jaw yourself. Is it okay to pull my jaw at home on my own?

Accepted Answer

Self-correcting your jaw without a diagnosis is dangerous because the disc may shift further or the ligaments may be injured. Always do it under expert guidance.

Question 32

Suddenly my mouth won't open well and my jaw feels locked. What should I do right now?

Accepted Answer

Sudden jaw locking (limited mouth opening) is an emergency. Don't force it open; apply heat therapy and visit a Korean medicine clinic or oral and maxillofacial surgery as soon as possible.

Question 33

My pain has decreased a lot. Can I stop treatment now? How should I do maintenance care?

Accepted Answer

Even after the pain is gone, we recommend maintenance treatment at intervals of two to four weeks until the structure stabilizes. Stopping abruptly carries a high risk of recurrence.

Question 34

I heard reducing the jaw muscle with Botox improves facial asymmetry. Can I get the same effect with Korean medicine treatment?

Accepted Answer

Botox temporarily reduces the volume of the jaw muscle, while Korean medicine treatment is a different approach that regulates the cause of muscle stiffening and restores overall balance. The choice depends on your goal.

Question 35

Since my jaw joint got worse, I've developed headaches and ringing in my ears (tinnitus) at the same time. Are they related?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a jaw joint problem is closely connected to tension-type headache, ringing in the ears, and forward-head symptoms through tension in the temporalis and neck muscles.

Question 36

My facial asymmetry keeps getting worse and my mouth opens less and less. If I just leave it, could the joint be destroyed?

Accepted Answer

Worsening asymmetry and decreasing mouth opening are warning signs of joint destruction (bone resorption, ankylosis). You need professional care immediately, including imaging tests (panoramic X-ray, MRI).

Question 37

I'm 38 and work an office job in Dong-gu, Incheon. Every afternoon the back of my neck gets stiff and both sides of my head ache as if a band is squeezing them. Could this be a tension headache?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a squeezing pressure on both sides is a classic tension-type headache. It develops as the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles contract continuously, with stress, fatigue, and poor posture being the main causes.

Question 38

Why does a migraine hurt on only one side and throb like a pulse? I heard it has to do with the brain's blood vessels.

Accepted Answer

Migraine is a neurovascular disorder in which the cerebral blood vessels and the trigeminal nerve act together. An imbalance of serotonin triggers a vascular response, producing throbbing pain on one side of the head.

Question 39

Does acupuncture really work for headaches? How does it compare to taking painkillers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, acupuncture is a treatment recognized by standard clinical practice guidelines for both tension-type headache and migraine. It can be combined with painkillers or used preventively to reduce the frequency of attacks.

Question 40

Does herbal medicine work for headaches? How long do I need to take it?

Accepted Answer

Herbal medicine prescriptions vary according to the headache's pattern diagnosis, and they help reduce the frequency of attacks and prevent recurrence. Effectiveness is usually evaluated after 4-8 weeks of use.

Question 41

I have migraines. Are there particular foods I should avoid?

Accepted Answer

MSG, nitrites (smoked meats), aspartame, tyramine (cheese, red wine), and caffeine are known migraine triggers. Keeping a headache diary to identify your own trigger foods is the most accurate approach.

Question 42

What lifestyle habits trigger headaches? Are sleep patterns related too?

Accepted Answer

Irregular sleep, excessive screen use, stress, skipped meals, and dehydration are major triggers. The habit of sleeping in on weekends can also bring on a "weekend migraine."

Question 43

I've been taking painkillers almost every day, and now my headaches seem to be even more frequent. Is this medication-overuse headache?

Accepted Answer

Using triptans on 10 or more days per month, or NSAIDs and painkillers on 15 or more days per month, can cause medication-overuse headache (MOH). You must taper off gradually under professional guidance.

Question 44

With treatment, does a tension-type headache go away completely, or do I have to manage it for life?

Accepted Answer

About half of episodic tension-type headaches improve with treatment, while the rest may progress to chronic. By managing triggers and continuing treatment, you can greatly reduce the frequency of attacks.

Question 45

My migraines are getting more frequent. If they become chronic migraine, will treatment be harder?

Accepted Answer

When headaches persist on 15 or more days per month, they are classified as chronic migraine, which greatly lowers quality of life. Active early treatment can prevent chronification, so managing it now is important.

Question 46

I've been told to keep a headache diary. How should I record it?

Accepted Answer

Note the date and time of onset, the location and intensity of the pain (0-10), how long it lasts, accompanying symptoms, medications taken, and that day's meals, sleep, and stress situation.

Question 47

Is it okay to exercise when I have a headache? I'm worried it might make things worse.

Accepted Answer

During a headache attack, avoid strenuous exercise and rest. However, regular aerobic exercise (3-5 times a week) in general helps reduce the frequency of headache attacks.

Question 48

How often do I need to visit the Korean medicine clinic for headaches? I work in Dongincheon and don't have much time.

Accepted Answer

For acute or chronic headaches, 2-3 times a week; once symptoms stabilize, this is reduced to once a week. We usually set 4-6 weeks as the first treatment period and then evaluate the effect.

Question 49

I suddenly got the worst headache I've ever experienced in my life. What should I do in a situation like this?

Accepted Answer

This kind of "thunderclap headache" can be a sign of a brain hemorrhage (subarachnoid hemorrhage). Call 119 immediately or go to the emergency room. Never just self-medicate and wait.

Question 50

What are the first aid measures you can take at home when a migraine attack starts?

Accepted Answer

It is effective to rest in a quiet, dark room and take prescribed triptans or NSAIDs at the beginning of symptoms. Cold compresses and pressure on the temples also help with temporary relief.

Question 51

My headaches come so often that I'd like preventive treatment. Is preventive treatment possible in Korean medicine too?

Accepted Answer

Yes, headache prevention is possible in Korean medicine as well. Starting preventive treatment is recommended when you have headaches 4 or more times a month or are at risk of chronification.

Question 52

My MRI is normal, but my headache won't go away. Is it possible to fully recover, or do I have to live with it for life?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the headache type and cause. Secondary headaches (cervical disc, sinusitis, etc.) can be cured by treating the cause, while for primary headaches a realistic goal is to greatly reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks rather than eliminate them completely.

Question 53

I was diagnosed with a cervical disc and I have a headache along with it. How do you tell cervicogenic headache apart from migraine?

Accepted Answer

Cervicogenic headache changes with neck movement and tends to radiate to the back of the head, neck, and shoulders. Migraine is characterized by throbbing pain with nausea, and the two can also occur at the same time.

Question 54

I have frequent headaches, and my anxiety and depression are also worsening. Is there a connection between headaches and mental health?

Accepted Answer

Yes, migraines and chronic headaches are comorbid conditions that influence each other. Managing both together increases the effectiveness of headache prevention.

Question 55

Every morning when I turn my head, the ceiling spins for tens of seconds. Why does this happen?

Accepted Answer

When the otoliths (calcium carbonate crystals) in your inner ear become dislodged and flow into a semicircular canal, the lymph fluid sloshes every time you move your head, causing brief but intense spinning vertigo. This is the classic pattern of BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), the most common cause of dizziness.

Question 56

I've had a persistent ringing sound in my left ear for months. What on earth is the cause?

Accepted Answer

Tinnitus is a condition in which sounds are heard in the ear or head even in the absence of external noise. It is based on damage to cochlear hair cells or overexcitation of the auditory nerve, and common triggers include noise exposure, stress, and Meniere's disease. If it persists in only one side, an evaluation of the cause is necessary.

Question 57

After getting the canalith repositioning procedure (Epley maneuver) at the ENT clinic, the spinning stopped, but I still have a lingering floating dizziness like being on a boat. Can Korean medicine help?

Accepted Answer

The canalith repositioning procedure quickly resolves spinning vertigo, but it is common to have residual dizziness, a foggy head, or a floating sensation afterward. This kind of functional residual dizziness is an area where Korean medicine, which boosts inner-ear circulation and overall condition, shows its strength.

Question 58

I was told tinnitus never goes away and I just have to live with it. Does Korean medicine treatment really have any meaning?

Accepted Answer

It may be difficult to reduce tinnitus completely to zero, but the loudness, how bothersome it is, and the disruption to sleep can certainly be reduced. Especially for tinnitus tied to stress and fatigue, managing your overall condition can make a big difference in how you experience it.

Question 59

I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and told to cut out salty foods and coffee. Does food really affect dizziness?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Meniere's disease is a condition in which excessive lymph fluid builds up in the inner ear, so salty foods, caffeine, and alcohol disturb the fluid balance and worsen attacks of dizziness and tinnitus. A low-salt diet and limiting caffeine alone often reduce the frequency of attacks.

Question 60

What everyday habits make dizziness and tinnitus worse? I tend to work late a lot.

Accepted Answer

Lack of sleep, overwork, stress, dehydration, and excessive caffeine are the main factors that worsen dizziness and tinnitus. In particular, when sleep is insufficient and the neck and shoulders stiffen, blood flow to the head deteriorates and symptoms become more pronounced.

Question 61

I'm currently taking a dizziness medication (betahistine) from the ENT clinic. Is it okay to take herbal medicine together?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you space them out in time. We generally advise spacing herbal medicine and Western medication about one to two hours apart, and once symptoms stabilize, we gradually reduce the Western medication without strain.

Question 62

My BPPV has already recurred for the third time in a year. Is it going to keep repeating like this?

Accepted Answer

BPPV responds well to the repositioning procedure, but it is a condition that recurs fairly often within a year. If recurrences are frequent, rather than repeating the procedure alone, managing the bodily state and overall condition that keep causing the otoliths to dislodge is the way to lengthen the interval between recurrences.

Question 63

It's been about two months since my tinnitus started. If I get treatment now, is there a higher chance of improvement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The earlier you actively treat tinnitus and sudden hearing loss, the higher the chance of recovery. Once a long time passes and it becomes chronic, progress is slower, but managing it to reduce the irritation of the sound and the disruption to sleep is still very meaningful.

Question 64

Is there anything I can do right away when dizziness suddenly comes on strong at home?

Accepted Answer

Sit or lie down immediately in a safe place to prevent falling, fix your gaze on one point, and move your head slowly. Resting in a dark, quiet place usually helps it settle. However, if it is the first time you experience severe dizziness or it comes with neurological symptoms, you must go to the emergency room.

Focused Care for Head & Face Conditions: Facial Palsy, Headache, Rhinitis

Conditions

Focused Care for Head & Face Conditions: Facial Palsy, Headache, Rhinitis is not just a simple symptom