Question 1

It has been a long time — my eye and mouth move together (synkinesis).

Accepted Answer

This is a sequela where the facial nerve regenerated but took a wrong path and became tangled. The eye blinks when the mouth moves, or tears fall when eating (crocodile tears). Thread-embedding therapy is needed to untangle the muscles.

Question 2

I cannot close my eye fully and it is very irritated.

Accepted Answer

If the eyelid muscle is paralyzed and the eye cannot close completely (lagophthalmos), the cornea can become dry and damaged. Apply artificial tears frequently, and tape or use an eye patch to close the eye during sleep.

Question 3

Could severe stress have caused my facial palsy?

Accepted Answer

It is one of the biggest triggers. Extreme stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, disrupts blood flow, and rapidly weakens immunity. In TCM, the heat from hwabyeong surges upward (liver yang ascending), bringing on wind-induced palsy.

Question 4

I had sharp pain behind my ear just before my face drooped.

Accepted Answer

The facial nerve passes through the mastoid process behind the ear before emerging onto the face. Swelling and pain there are early warning signs of nerve inflammation (post-auricular pain), often appearing days before paralysis sets in.

Question 5

Is it true that sleeping in the cold can cause facial palsy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cold air constricts blood vessels and impairs circulation around the nerve, which can trigger facial palsy. Sleeping in a cold place after drinking alcohol — when immunity is lowered — is the perfect storm for wind-cold invasion.

Question 6

Can Bell palsy recur once you have had it?

Accepted Answer

The recurrence rate is under 10%, but it can return whenever immunity drops. Diabetics and the elderly are at higher risk. It often strikes the opposite side but can recur on the same side as well.

Question 7

Is it okay to massage my face at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, gently loosening stiff muscles is beneficial. Apply cream and massage softly — avoid rubbing too hard. Low-frequency electrical stimulators can actually cause muscle contracture, so do not use them without consulting a specialist.

Question 8

My shingles appeared on my face (Ramsay Hunt syndrome).

Accepted Answer

This occurs when the varicella-zoster virus attacks the facial nerve, causing blisters near the ear and severe pain. Nerve damage is worse than in typical Bell palsy, recovery is slower, and hearing loss can also occur — requiring aggressive treatment.

Question 9

Food tastes strange to me (taste loss).

Accepted Answer

The facial nerve controls taste in the front two-thirds of the tongue. When it is damaged, food may taste metallic or have no flavor at all. As the nerve recovers, taste naturally returns — no need to worry.

Question 10

Can young children get facial palsy?

Accepted Answer

It is rare but possible. In children it usually follows a cold complication (otitis media), sleeping in cold conditions, or birth-related pressure. Their regenerative capacity is excellent, so they tend to recover faster and more completely than adults.

Question 11

Can jaw-opening exercises help my TMJ?

Accepted Answer

Within a pain-free range, yes. But forcing your mouth open despite pain stretches ligaments and can worsen things. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth and slowly open to gradually increase range of motion.

Question 12

My jaw hurts more when I am stressed.

Accepted Answer

The TMJ is the storehouse of emotions. When we are angry or tense, we unconsciously clench our teeth. Stress tightens the shoulders and clenches the jaw, intensifying pain. Psychological relaxation is part of the treatment.

Question 13

Could my wisdom teeth be causing my jaw pain?

Accepted Answer

Wisdom tooth inflammation can spread to surrounding muscles, making it hard to open the mouth. Extraction is the priority in that case. However, if jaw pain appears after extraction, it is likely a TMJ sprain from keeping the mouth open too long during the procedure.

Question 14

After jawline Botox, my mouth became crooked.

Accepted Answer

Rarely, Botox can spread to unintended muscles, causing temporary paralysis. It resolves when the Botox wears off in 3 to 6 months. Acupuncture and radiofrequency therapy in the meantime help maintain muscle function and speed recovery.

Question 15

My jaw makes a clicking sound every time I open my mouth.

Accepted Answer

This is the sound of the TMJ disc slipping out of and back into position (joint clicking). Initially it is just noise, but if ignored it can lead to limited mouth opening or pain — so visit a clinic if clicking becomes frequent.

Question 16

My jaw aches and feels sore after chewing squid.

Accepted Answer

Your jaw muscles (masseter and temporalis) are overly tense. It may be muscle soreness or a ligament sprain. Avoid tough chewy foods for now and apply warm compresses to soothe the muscles.

Question 17

My face looks very asymmetrical in photos.

Accepted Answer

Everyone has slight asymmetry, but if the eyes, nose, and mouth are noticeably uneven, you should suspect an overall imbalance of the pelvis-spine-jaw chain. Correcting the jaw alone is not enough — full body postural correction is needed.

Question 18

When my neck and shoulders hurt, my jaw hurts too.

Accepted Answer

The central axis of the TMJ is the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae. When the cervical spine is misaligned due to tech neck or military neck, the TMJ becomes misaligned as well. The TMJ cannot heal without treating the neck (cervical correction).

Question 19

The dentist recommended a splint, but is there anything at a Korean medicine clinic?

Accepted Answer

At Dongjedang we prioritize treatment that activates the jaw's own function rather than relying on devices. Acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and Chuna therapy balance muscles and joints. Assistive devices are prescribed only when structural problems are severe.

Question 20

I went to the ENT for ear pain but they said my ears are fine.

Accepted Answer

This is referred pain from the TMJ to the ear. Patients feel pain inside the ear, but the actual source is the TMJ area just in front of the ear. If pain worsens when opening the mouth, it is 100% a jaw problem.

Question 21

I have very bad headaches in early pregnancy. Can I take Tylenol?

Accepted Answer

Headaches are common in early pregnancy as blood volume increases and hormones change. Tylenol is relatively safe but should not be overused. Dehydration or low blood sugar from morning sickness can also be a cause — increase fluid intake and try Korean medicine for morning sickness.

Question 22

I have severe headaches — could the jaw be the cause?

Accepted Answer

Yes, very often. The temporalis muscle controls jaw movement, and when tense it causes migraine-like pain. If headaches do not respond to painkillers, TMJ treatment may be the solution.

Question 23

I feel a tight band around my head and tension in the back of my neck (tension headache).

Accepted Answer

The most common headache type, caused by stress or poor posture leading to tight neck and shoulder muscles. Acupuncture and Chuna therapy to release stiff muscles are far more effective and faster than muscle relaxants.

Question 24

Why do migraines occur? Is dietary control necessary?

Accepted Answer

Brain blood vessels excessively constrict and dilate, stimulating nerves. Genetic factors play a role, but stress, lack of sleep, and certain foods (wine, cheese, chocolate) act as triggers. Avoiding triggers is the best approach.

Question 25

I get extremely severe pain like an ice pick behind my eye (cluster headache).

Accepted Answer

This is a rare and agonizing headache called the suicide headache. One side around the eye feels like it is being drilled through, with tearing and runny nose. 100% oxygen inhalation is effective, and in Korean medicine strong heat-clearing therapy is used.

Question 26

After drinking I always wake up with a splitting headache (hangover headache).

Accepted Answer

Alcohol metabolites (acetaldehyde) dilate cerebral blood vessels. Korean medicine views this as alcohol toxicity and damp-heat. Herbal formulas containing kudzu root or hovenia dulcis quickly clear alcohol toxins through urination.

Question 27

I suddenly had an extremely severe headache as if struck by a hammer.

Accepted Answer

This is a medical emergency. Cerebral hemorrhage (subarachnoid hemorrhage) is very likely. Do not look for painkillers — call emergency services immediately or go to a hospital emergency room. Every second counts.

Question 28

Should I get an MRI for my headaches?

Accepted Answer

Most chronic headaches (tension-type, migraine) appear normal on MRI. However, headaches first appearing after age 50, progressively worsening, or accompanied by paralysis or slurred speech must be imaged to rule out brain tumor or stroke.

Question 29

Do young children get headaches?

Accepted Answer

Yes, quite commonly. The main causes are stress (academic, social), rhinitis (nasal congestion), or poor vision. Do not dismiss a child's headache as pretending — find the real cause.

Question 30

When I am tired I always get a headache first (qi-deficiency headache).

Accepted Answer

The body lacks qi to pump blood to the brain. It is hard to get up in the morning, talking feels like a chore, and even small activity brings on a headache. Formulas like Bojungikgi-tang that replenish qi are needed.

Question 31

Since my jaw pain started I hear ringing in my ear (tinnitus).

Accepted Answer

The TMJ and ear are immediate neighbors. Inflammation or disc displacement in the TMJ can irritate nearby nerves or blood vessels, causing tinnitus. There are many dramatic cases where treating the jaw makes the tinnitus disappear.

Question 32

My ear feels full, I hear ringing, and I get dizzy (Meniere's disease).

Accepted Answer

Too much lymph fluid builds up inside the ear, raising pressure (endolymphatic hydrops). Vertigo strikes like a burst dam and hearing drops. Herbal formulas like Oryeongsan that regulate fluid metabolism are used to reduce swelling in the ear.

Question 33

Tests show nothing abnormal but I always feel like I am floating (psychogenic dizziness).

Accepted Answer

This is not a vestibular organ problem but a sensory processing error in the brain — psychogenic dizziness. Anxiety, depression, and stress are the causes. It gets worse in crowded places. Psychological stabilization treatment is needed.

Question 34

One ear suddenly feels full and I cannot hear (sudden sensorineural hearing loss).

Accepted Answer

This is a medical emergency. Cochlear nerve damage can cause permanent hearing loss if not treated within 3 days to 2 weeks. Steroid therapy, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and acupuncture must be used in combination.

Question 35

Can a cervical disc cause dizziness?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is cervicogenic dizziness. Many balance receptors surround the cervical vertebrae, and when the neck is misaligned it sends incorrect balance signals to the brain causing dizziness. If neck pain and dizziness occur together, this should be suspected.

Question 36

Does dizziness always mean anemia? Should I take iron supplements?

Accepted Answer

No. Among actual dizziness patients, anemia accounts for only 5 to 10%. Most cases involve the ear, brain, or autonomic nervous system. Taking iron supplements without a blood test may only cause indigestion.

Question 37

I have no headache but they say I have vestibular migraine.

Accepted Answer

Migraines do not always cause head pain — dizziness alone can be the presentation. If you are sensitive to light or sound, prone to motion sickness, and have a family history, vestibular migraine is likely. Migraine medications and treatments are effective.

Question 38

Are there foods to avoid when dizzy?

Accepted Answer

A low-sodium diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and limiting caffeine are the basics. Sweet foods that rapidly spike blood sugar (chocolate, candy) can also affect insulin metabolism and worsen dizziness.

Question 39

I was hyperventilating and then my hands and feet cramped and I felt dizzy (hyperventilation syndrome).

Accepted Answer

Breathing too fast from extreme stress or fear depletes carbon dioxide in the blood. Breathing into a bag and re-inhaling the exhaled air helps calm it. Psychological treatment is the root solution.

Question 40

When I wake up the ceiling spins (BPPV — benign paroxysmal positional vertigo).

Accepted Answer

Otoliths that regulate balance become dislodged and roll around in the semicircular canals causing vertigo. Canalith repositioning maneuvers combined with vitality restoration treatment to prevent recurrence are needed.

Question 41

How do I care for my nose on days with heavy fine dust?

Accepted Answer

Fine dust attaches directly to the nasal mucosa causing inflammation. Wearing a mask is essential, and after going outside you must wash your face and rinse your nose. Drink plenty of water to support mucociliary clearance.

Question 42

Since becoming pregnant I have nasal congestion I never had before.

Accepted Answer

This is pregnancy rhinitis. Rising estrogen causes the nasal mucosal blood vessels to swell. It clears up right after delivery, but if bothersome during pregnancy manage it with Korean herbal preparations or acupuncture safe for the fetus.

Question 43

I have a runny nose all year long. Is rhinitis really incurable?

Accepted Answer

Rhinitis is not just a nasal problem — it is a complex issue involving the lungs, stomach, and immune system. Antihistamines cannot prevent recurrence. By expelling cold from the lungs and building immunity through constitutional improvement, it can be managed close to a cure.

Question 44

It feels like phlegm is stuck in my throat but nothing comes out (post-nasal drip).

Accepted Answer

Mucus flows backward into the throat rather than out the nose (post-nasal drip syndrome). It causes chronic coughing and bad breath. Nasal treatment combined with anti-inflammatory therapy for the throat is needed.

Question 45

I have yellow nasal discharge and facial pain (sinusitis).

Accepted Answer

Pus has accumulated in the sinuses due to bacterial infection. Nasal congestion, yellow discharge, facial pain, and headache are characteristic. If antibiotics do not work, purulent drainage therapy is needed to directly remove the pus.

Question 46

I have had a cold for a month and it will not clear up. Is it rhinitis?

Accepted Answer

A cold is a viral infection that typically resolves in 1 to 2 weeks, usually with fever. If only nasal symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks without fever, it has progressed to rhinitis or sinusitis. Continuing cold medicine only dries out the nasal mucosa further.

Question 47

My nasal congestion makes me snore very badly at night.

Accepted Answer

When rhinitis blocks the nose, breathing shifts to the mouth worsening snoring and leading to sleep apnea. This causes growth disorders in children and hypertension in adults. Treating rhinitis to restore nasal breathing is essential.

Question 48

My child gets nosebleeds very often.

Accepted Answer

The nasal mucosa is dry and fragile, causing blood vessels to rupture. Children with allergic rhinitis scratch their nose due to itching, triggering nosebleeds. Heat-clearing and blood-nourishing herbal medicine is needed to reduce inflammation and strengthen the mucosa.

Question 49

When I lie down, the lower nostril becomes completely blocked (nasal cycle).

Accepted Answer

Gravity causes blood to pool in the nasal mucosal vessels, swelling the lower side. This is normal to a degree, but if it disrupts sleep it is vasomotor rhinitis. Autonomic nervous system regulation treatment is needed.

Question 50

Are there Korean medicine ointments or sprays for rhinitis?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Korean herbal topicals such as rhinitis ointment and Cheongbisu reduce nasal inflammation and drain pus. They contain no steroids so there is no tolerance risk, and they excellently moisturize the nasal mucosa.

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

🏥 FAQs by Condition

Facial Paralysis

TMJ / Facial Asymmetry

Headache / Migraine

Vertigo / Tinnitus

Rhinitis / Sinusitis

💬 All FAQs 50questions