Hoarse Voice, Why Do I Lose My Voice? Hyangseongpajukhwan?

Hello, I am Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung from Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.

“I need to speak to make a living, but my voice won't come out.” I often hear this in the clinic.

"My cold is completely gone, but my voice still hasn't returned. My class is just around the corner, and I can't speak."

Lecturers, counselors, broadcasters, call center agents, singing instructors... these are people whose livelihood depends on their voice. For them, a one-dimensional explanation like 'my throat hurts' or 'I have vocal cord inflammation' doesn't fully capture the condition they're experiencing.

Initially, they thought it was due to a cold, but even after taking medication and resting, recovery is slow. In fact, the more they speak, the more strained their voice becomes, the more it gives out, and the more frustrated they feel.

The Essence of the Problem – The Symptom of "Hoarseness"

What's important here is that this symptom is linked to one's 'occupation.' It's not just simple vocal cord inflammation; rather, a combination of repetitive voice use, insufficient recovery, and emotional labor leads to a feeling of 'depleted energy' (gi-un).

One or two instances of inflammation can be overcome. However, a structure where one must speak more often, for longer, and more extensively than they can recover – that's precisely what chronicizes and exacerbates this symptom.

A Problem of Energy (Gi-un), Not the Vocal Cords

When many people say, "My voice won't come out," most believe there's something wrong with their vocal cords—that they're stuck together, swollen, or damaged.

However, from a Korean medicine perspective, the voice is not merely a problem of the vocal cords alone but rather a result connected to the overall 'flow of energy (gi-un).' While the lungs appear to be central when speaking, in reality, the energy of the lungs (lung qi), the circulation of the liver, the vibrations of the heart, and the root of the kidneys must all be intertwined for the voice to have strength and maintain a consistent resonance throughout.

If any one of these flows weakens, the words come out but lack power.

The Intersection of Constitution (Chejil) and Occupation

Some people teach the same class and speak for the same amount of time without issues, while others quickly lose their voice. Those who lose their voice often say:

"I've always had a weak throat."

But is that really true? What we mean by 'having a weak throat' actually refers to a constitution (chejil) where energy (gi-un) is easily depleted and recovery is slow.

Damp-Heat (Damyeol) and Obstruction – When the Throat Feels Strained and Obstructed

"It feels like something is stuck in my throat." "I don't have phlegm, but I keep clearing my throat." "When I speak, my voice breaks and cracks."

These symptoms cannot be explained by simple vocal cord inflammation or fatigue alone. In Korean medicine, this condition is primarily viewed as a pattern of Damp-Heat (Damyeol) or Qi Stagnation with Heat Accumulation (Giyeolulgyeol).

Dry and Cracking Voice – Fatigue-Related Voice Disorder Due to Yin Deficiency (Eumheo) or Lung Qi Deficiency (Paegiyeo)

"My voice cracks, and the end of my words often trails off." "It's not that my throat is thirsty, but it feels parched inside." "When I speak, my energy (gi-un) drains away."

In such cases, Korean medicine primarily interprets this as a pattern of Yin Deficiency (Eumheo) or Lung Qi Deficiency (Paegiyeo).

The Situation Creates the Illness

In Korean medicine, diagnosis primarily centers on constitution (chejil) and pattern differentiation (byeonjeung). However, in clinical practice, there are clearly cases where the 'situation' takes precedence over constitution.

Hyangseongpajeokhwan – A Remedy for Those Who Must Speak

For those whose livelihood depends on their voice, the most crucial thing is 'preserving their voice.' Therefore, they need a readily available formula (sangyongbang) that works quickly and effectively.

Recovery for Speakers – The Art of Resting is Needed

Making a living through speaking isn't just about using one's voice a lot. It involves suppressing emotions, adapting to others' rhythms rather than one's own, and imbuing words with both power and stability.

Clinic Information

- Clinic Hours - Mon-Fri 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Lunch Break 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

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Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, 3rd Floor, Songdo Dream City, 81 Convention-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

Tags

#Hoarseness #ReasonsForVoiceLoss