Tic Disorder — When Eye Blinking and Throat Clearing Keep Repeating
Table of Contents
What is tic disorder?
A tic is a sudden, rapid, repetitive, non-rhythmic movement or sound. Motor tics typically include eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, and head shaking, while vocal tics appear as throat clearing, sniffing, or repeating syllables. Tics often first appear between ages 4 and 6, peak around 10 to 12, and resolve in many children after puberty — though some persist into adulthood. When motor tics and vocal tics occur together for more than a year, the condition is classified as Tourette syndrome.
Internal stirring of liver wind (肝風內動) — the Korean medicine view of tic disorder
In Korean medicine, the liver (肝) governs the muscles and the eyes and regulates emotion. When stress, tension, or excessive study causes liver qi (肝氣) to stagnate, internal stirring of liver wind (肝風內動) arises. This is a pathology in which wind (風) rises within the body, causing involuntary trembling or movement of muscles. In children, liver qi is exuberant while regulation is immature, making tics more likely to manifest.
Modified Eokgansan (抑肝散)
Eokgansan (抑肝散) is a representative formula that suppresses liver wind and calms the nerves. Composed of uncaria, bupleurum, angelica, atractylodes, poria, licorice, and ligusticum, it is also widely used for pediatric neurological conditions in Japan.
- When vocal tics are severe: combine with Banhahubak-tang to relieve qi stagnation (氣滯) in the throat.
- When insomnia or anxiety is present: add zizyphus seed, dragon bone, and oyster shell to strengthen the calming-spirit (安神) effect.
- When eye blinking predominates: add chrysanthemum and cassia seed to clear liver heat (肝熱) and ease eye tension.
Stress management and environment
One of the most important elements in tic disorder treatment is controlling environmental factors. Pointing out or scolding tics raises the child's tension and worsens symptoms. Reduce the academic schedule to a reasonable level and limit excessive electronic stimulation such as games and YouTube. Regular physical activity and adequate sleep are highly effective for balancing dopamine in the brain.