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The Reason I Started DK Medicine Clinic — A Story of Autonomic Nerve Centered Care
hello. I’m Dr. Sangchul Hwang, who studies and treats autonomic nerves. Even without a clear diagnosis, the body can be uncomfortable and the mind can be exhausted, and the first thing that comes to mind is the keyword ‘autonomic nerves’. Autonomic nerves are the bridge between the mind and body, a silent signaling system that coordinates between emotions and physical responses. I wanted to look at each patient through this lens of the autonomic nervous system, from the mind to the body, and that’s how this exciting clinic began.
1. The Question That Began with My Mother’s Arrhythmia Treatment
“My heart is pounding, and I’m having trouble breathing,” were the first words my mother said to me. She was diagnosed with arrhythmia at the hospital and put on medication, but the symptoms didn’t subside easily: insomnia, indigestion, and anxiety, and I gradually realized that autonomic nerve flow was at the center of it all. With the combination of Chinese herbal medicine tailored to her constitution, acupuncture to relieve stomach tension, and therapy to stabilize her mind, her condition gradually improved. After that experience, I began to see the whole person as the starting point of my practice, not just the symptoms.
2. When emotions flow, the body responds
The autonomic nervous system isn’t just a stress response system; it’s a system that houses the finer grains of emotion. Changes in emotion lead to physical responses, such as heart palpitations when you’re anxious or shallow breathing when you’re nervous. The flow of autonomic nerves affects the entire body, from the heart to the stomach to the bladder to the skin. But in the clinic, these emotional responses are often only expressed as “symptoms.” I believe that when treating autonomic disorders, we must look at the flow of emotions and the state of mind.
3. See the person beyond the symptoms
One patient in his 40s was urinating more than 30 times a day, and another teenager was sweating like rain at the slightest stimulus. Despite repeated “no abnormalities” in hospital tests, I was able to confirm that they were suffering from an imbalance in their autonomic nervous system. Together, we analyzed their constitution and emotions, and customized a combination of Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and chuna. A few weeks later, they said, “I think I’m going to live.” For me, the meaning of medicine is in moments like these.
4. people you think back to at the end of the day
When I go home from the clinic, I go back to being a father of two. It’s the quietest, warmest moments of my day when I eat with them, read to them, and stroke their sleeping foreheads. It’s then that I remember the faces of the people I met in the clinic. The old man who was exhausted from sleeplessness, the young man suffering from indigestion, the man who didn’t say much but his eyes were sad. Each one is someone’s family, someone who matters to them, and it makes me want to get to know them more deeply and warmly.
5. heal with your hands, pray with your heart
I am a practitioner of the Christian faith. I don’t share my faith during my practice, but afterward, I quietly think about each patient in my heart. I pray that the person who has been struggling to sleep will sleep well tonight, that the person who is exhausted from emotional ups and downs will have a calm day, and that their mind and body will not break down. A small Bible on my desk in the exam room is a constant reminder. I may heal with my hands, but I want to comfort with my heart.
6. aims to be a space that treats the body and mind together
Ddukduk Medical Center is not just a place that treats pain. We aim to treat emotions, constitution, and nerve flow. We believe that ‘treatment’ is not complete until you recover not only from stress but also from old emotions and disturbed balance. A space that looks not only at the body but also at the mind. I hope that your real recovery will begin here at Dudukdukguk Clinic. I and all the medical staff will do our best to help you regain and maintain balance in your body and mind. Thank you.
