Question 1

How long does treatment take?

Accepted Answer

Acute conditions (tonsillitis, otitis media etc.) improve within 1–2 weeks. Chronic conditions like tinnitus and Meniere's need 2–3 months of systematic treatment, followed by maintenance care to prevent recurrence.

Question 2

Is telemedicine available?

Accepted Answer

Yes, herbal prescription is possible after a phone consultation, with herbs delivered by courier. Initial visit recommended in person; follow-ups can be telemedicine.

Question 3

What is Maehaekgi (globus sensation)?

Accepted Answer

A sensation of something stuck in the throat without anything actually being there. Western medicine calls it pharyngeal foreign-body sensation or globus. Stress and qi stagnation are main causes; Korean medicine works very well.

Question 4

How long does Maehaekgi treatment take?

Accepted Answer

Mild: 2–4 weeks; chronic: 1–3 months recommended. Specialty prescriptions like Banha-hubaek-tang yield rapid improvement.

Question 5

Is Maehaekgi related to stress?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the most common cause of Maehaekgi is qi stagnation (氣鬱) from stress. Tension, anxiety, and suppressed emotions cause qi to stagnate in the throat producing the foreign-body sensation. Restoring qi flow resolves it.

Question 6

Endoscopy showed nothing — why do I still feel something stuck?

Accepted Answer

Maehaekgi is a functional, not structural, problem, so endoscopy can't detect it. Pharyngeal muscle tension and sensory hypersensitivity are causes; herbs and acupuncture release tension and normalize sensation.

Question 7

Are GERD and Maehaekgi different?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms are similar but they're different conditions. GERD's main symptom is burning from acid reflux; Maehaekgi only has foreign-body sensation without pain or burning. They can co-occur, so accurate differentiation is important.

Question 8

Are there good lifestyle habits for Maehaekgi?

Accepted Answer

Stress management is most important. Deep breathing, neck stretching, frequent warm water, reducing caffeine help. Forcefully swallowing or repeated throat-clearing can worsen it.

Question 9

Does cupping help with rhinitis?

Accepted Answer

Yes, cupping on back and neck strengthens lung function and immunity, helping ease rhinitis. Combined with acupuncture and herbs is more effective.

Question 10

Is moxibustion used in ENT treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, moxibustion supplements yang energy, effective for cold-sensitive rhinitis, chronic pharyngitis. Also helps those with frequent colds due to weak immunity.

Question 11

Are physical therapies like infrared also combined?

Accepted Answer

As needed, infrared and heat therapy are combined. Promoting circulation around the throat and cervical spine helps ease tinnitus, sore throat etc.

Question 12

Is ENT Korean medicine covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture, cupping, chuna are covered. For allergic rhinitis, certain herbal prescriptions are also insurance-covered. Other herbs are non-covered but may be claimable through supplemental insurance.

Question 13

Can I pay by card or installment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, credit card, debit card, cash all accepted with interest-free installments available.

Question 14

My tongue burns and stings — what is it?

Accepted Answer

It could be glossodynia or burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Pain persists despite no visible tongue abnormality. Korean medicine views this as yin deficiency with rising fire (陰虛火旺).

Question 15

Is glossodynia treatable with Korean medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when Western medicine has no clear treatment, Korean medicine often works well. Herbs that supplement body fluids and clear deficient heat ease pain and burning.

Question 16

How long does glossodynia treatment take?

Accepted Answer

Usually 1–2 months show improvement; 3–4 months recommended for fundamental constitutional improvement. Combined with stress management and dietary control is more effective.

Question 17

Is glossodynia related to stress?

Accepted Answer

Yes, glossodynia is closely linked to stress, anxiety, menopause. Autonomic imbalance causes oral mucosa sensory abnormalities; Korean medicine stabilizes nerves and recovers mucosa together.

Question 18

I have tongue pain and dry mouth too

Accepted Answer

Glossodynia with dry mouth is common in yin-deficiency (陰虛) types. Herbs supplementing body fluids (Gyeongokgo, Maekmundong-tang etc.) treat both dry mouth and tongue pain.

Question 19

Why does my tongue hurt during menopause?

Accepted Answer

Menopausal hormone changes thin the oral mucosa and increase sensitivity, causing glossodynia. Korean medicine views as kidney yin deficiency (腎陰虛); supplementing yin improves it.

Question 20

Is acupuncture also combined for glossodynia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, acupuncture on tongue and oral-related acupoints is combined. It improves oral circulation and stabilizes nerve hypersensitivity, helping pain relief.

Question 21

Can dry eye syndrome also be treated with Korean medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in Korean medicine dry eye is viewed as body fluid deficiency from yin deficiency (陰虛). Herbs supplement body fluids and improve circulation around the eyes for fundamental treatment.

Question 22

How long does dry eye treatment take?

Accepted Answer

Mild: 4–6 weeks; chronic: 2–3 months recommended. The goal is to recover natural tear secretion without depending on artificial tears.

Question 23

I use artificial tears daily — can Korean medicine reduce that?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when herbs restore body-fluid generation capacity, artificial tears can be tapered. Korean medicine treats the root cause aiming for independence from artificial tears.

Question 24

Is acupuncture effective for dry eye?

Accepted Answer

Yes, stimulating acupoints around the eyes (Chanjuk, Sabaek, Taeyang etc.) activates tear gland function and improves ocular blood flow. Combined with herbs is more effective.

Question 25

Is dry eye related to menopause?

Accepted Answer

Yes, menopausal hormone changes reduce body fluids, worsening dry eye. Korean medicine views as kidney yin deficiency (腎陰虛) and treats both dry eye and menopausal symptoms by supplementing yin.

Question 26

My eyes get dry when using a computer long — can it be treated?

Accepted Answer

Yes, dry eye from prolonged screen exposure is from excess tear evaporation and body fluid depletion. Herbs replenish fluids while we guide eye-rest techniques and lifestyle adjustment.

Question 27

Are there good lifestyle habits to prevent dry eye?

Accepted Answer

Conscious frequent blinking, the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 min look 20 ft away for 20 seconds), maintaining indoor humidity, sufficient water intake all help.

Question 28

Can allergic rhinitis be treated with Korean medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Korean medicine views rhinitis as lung qi deficiency (肺氣虛) with immune imbalance. Herbs strengthen lung function and immunity; acupuncture eases nasal mucosal inflammation for fundamental treatment.

Question 29

Will my nose unblock immediately with rhinitis herbs?

Accepted Answer

Unlike Western drugs that give immediate relief, herbs aim at fundamental treatment by normalizing nasal mucosal immunity. Changes felt from 1–2 weeks; 2–3 months greatly reduces recurrence.

Question 30

How long does rhinitis treatment take?

Accepted Answer

Mild: 1–2 months; chronic/severe rhinitis: 3–6 months recommended. Combined preventive treatment at season changes manages rhinitis long-term.

Question 31

Can I stop using nasal steroid spray?

Accepted Answer

Once nasal mucosa stabilizes with Korean medicine, spray usage can be tapered. Sudden stopping may cause rebound; taper in stages with the doctor.

Question 32

Can pediatric rhinitis also be treated with Korean medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pediatric rhinitis is mainly due to immature immune systems. Pediatric herbs strengthening immunity reduce both rhinitis symptoms and cold frequency.

Question 33

Are rhinitis and sinusitis the same?

Accepted Answer

Rhinitis is nasal mucosal inflammation; sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Long-standing rhinitis can develop into sinusitis. Korean medicine treats both together.

Question 34

Are there good lifestyle habits for rhinitis?

Accepted Answer

Nasal irrigation, indoor humidity 40–60%, blocking dust/pollen, reducing cold foods help. Personalized lifestyle care is guided at consultation.

Question 35

My tonsillitis recurs often — should I have surgery?

Accepted Answer

If not 4–5+ severe episodes per year, immunity-strengthening treatment is recommended before surgery. Herbs raising lung/spleen-stomach immunity greatly reduce tonsillitis frequency.

Question 36

Can otitis media also be treated with Korean medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, herbs reduce middle ear inflammation and restore eustachian tube function; acupuncture improves circulation around ears. Combined with antibiotics is possible, and immunity strengthening prevents recurrence.

Question 37

How long does otitis media treatment take?

Accepted Answer

Acute otitis: 1–2 weeks; chronic/recurrent: 2–3 months. Effusion-type otitis is observed and treated until effusion is fully absorbed.

Question 38

My child gets otitis media often — does Korean medicine help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, child otitis media is mainly due to weakened immunity and immature eustachian tube. Strengthening immunity and improving nasal/eustachian environment with herbs greatly reduces recurrence.

Question 39

I'm taking antibiotics for otitis media — can I take herbs too?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mostly possible. Treating acute infection with antibiotics while herbs strengthen immunity and accelerate inflammation recovery is more effective. Recommend 30 min – 1 hour gap.

Question 40

What is otitis media with effusion?

Accepted Answer

Fluid (effusion) accumulates in the middle ear, causing fullness and hearing loss. Pain is mild, but neglect can affect hearing. Herbs promote fluid absorption and restore eustachian tube function.

Question 41

How can I prevent otitis media recurrence?

Accepted Answer

Treating rhinitis/sinusitis together and strengthening immunity is key. Lifestyle care including not blowing the nose hard, preventing foreign objects in the ear is also important.

Question 42

Are otitis media and rhinitis related?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ear and nose are connected via the eustachian tube; rhinitis/sinusitis can block the tube and cause otitis media. Korean medicine treats nasal cavity and tube simultaneously to address root cause.

Question 43

Why is Chuna therapy needed for ENT treatment?

Accepted Answer

The cervical spine is the path of vessels and nerves to the ears, nose, and throat. Misalignment impairs circulation and nerve transmission, worsening tinnitus and rhinitis. Chuna alignment helps symptom improvement.

Question 44

Is Chuna effective for tinnitus?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many cases of tinnitus are related to cervical spine issues. Chuna correcting the cervical spine and releasing surrounding muscle tension improves blood flow to ears, easing tinnitus.

Question 45

Is Chuna therapy covered by health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when accompanied by musculoskeletal symptoms, Chuna is covered.

Question 46

Is acupuncture effective for ENT disorders?

Accepted Answer

Yes, acupuncture stimulates acupoints around ears, nose, throat to ease inflammation and improve circulation. Combined with herbs, fast improvement can be expected for rhinitis, tinnitus, sore throat.

Question 47

How is pharmacopuncture used for ENT disorders?

Accepted Answer

Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic herbal compounds are injected directly into nose, ear, throat-related acupoints. Particularly effective for chronic rhinitis, tinnitus, chronic pharyngitis.

Question 48

Do you insert needles directly into the nose or ear?

Accepted Answer

No, needles are not inserted directly into the nose or ear canal. We needle acupoints connected to ear/nose/throat (hand, arm, neck, head etc.) to improve qi-blood circulation in the affected area.

Question 49

How long should ENT herbal medicine be taken?

Accepted Answer

Acute symptoms: 2–4 weeks; chronic rhinitis/tinnitus/globus: 2–3 months recommended. For constitutional improvement, periodic intake at season changes prevents recurrence.

Question 50

Can ENT herbs be taken with Western medicine?

Accepted Answer

Most can be combined. Adjust intake intervals from antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays. Tell us about current medications during consultation.

Question 51

Can symptoms temporarily worsen during herbal treatment?

Accepted Answer

Rarely, in the first 1–2 weeks, a healing reaction may temporarily increase nasal discharge or phlegm. This is the body expelling waste; most cases improve soon.

ENT Disorders

🏥 FAQs by Condition

Acupuncture & Pharmacopuncture

Cupping & Physical Therapy

Herbal Medicine

Chuna Therapy

Cost & Insurance

Other

Allergic Rhinitis

Otitis Media

Glossodynia (Tongue Pain)

Globus Sensation (Maehaekgi)

Dry Eye Syndrome

💬 All FAQs 51questions