금맥한의원
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Damjeok

Damjeok is a Korean medicine diagnosis describing a state in which gastrointestinal motility has dropped and undigested matter stagnates. It applies to people who are told "nothing is wrong" on endoscopy yet still feel bloated and tight below the breastbone. We judge it by abdominal palpation, checking tension and tenderness directly.

Hyo-seop Kim
Expert VerifiedHyo-seop KimChief Director
Damjeok

Q. How is Damjeok treated?

A.

Damjeok is treated by herbs that decompose and discharge accumulations, and acupuncture/moxibustion to restore gastric motility. Combined with diet adjustment, clear improvement is expected within 2–3 months.

📝 Detailed Answer

Damjeok is a concept of Korean medicine. We regard it as a state where undigested waste has accumulated around the stomach and hardened. It does not correspond one-to-one with a particular disease name in modern medicine.

Treatment approaches it in the direction of releasing what has stagnated and restoring the motility of the stomach and intestines. We confirm the degree of hardness around the epigastrium by abdominal palpation, and address the abdomen and the related areas on the back with acupuncture and moxibustion.

However, excluding organic disease first is the order. If you have not had an endoscopy, please tell us at the consultation. If examination indicates it, we will arrange one.

If there is weight loss, difficulty swallowing, black stools, anaemia or persistent vomiting, it is not a situation to approach as damjeok and internal medicine testing is needed.

Hyo-seop Kim

Expert Verified

Hyo-seop Kim

Chief Director

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