Oriental Medicine Treatment for Generalized Pain · Chronic Fatigue
Fibromyalgia · Fibrositis · Generalized Myalgia· Fibromyalgia
Incheon Songdo Baekrokdam Oriental Medicine Clinic
For generalized pain not detected by tests, we restore the pain threshold and qi-blood circulation with herbal medicine.
Are your test results normal, yet your whole body hurts, and all you hear is that it is "psychosomatic"?Fibromyalgia is a condition where even a light touch can cause pain and the mind feels foggy, and because others often dismiss it as malingering, it is easy for the heart to suffer as well.
Fibromyalgia is not simply a muscle problem, but a hypersensitivity of the nervous system. Baekrokdam identifies the reality of this invisible pain through Oriental medicine diagnosis to awaken the body's recovery power.
Core Disease Information at a Glance
- Other Names
- Fibrositis, Central Sensitization Syndrome
- Korean Medicine Category
- Bi-syndrome (痺證), Muscle Bi (筋痺), Muscle and Flesh Pain
- Key Characteristics
- Generalized pain, tenderness, and extreme fatigue for 3 months or more
- Accompanying Symptoms
- Sleep disorders, brain fog, depression/anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome
- Gender Tendency
- Prevalence in women is approximately 8-9 times higher than in men
- Diagnosis
- Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) + Korean medicine abdominal and pulse diagnosis
- Treatment Direction
- Supplementing Qi and Blood, promoting the flow of Qi (soothing the liver and relieving stagnation), raising the pain threshold
- Treatment Period
- Average 3-4 months (chronicity is 6 months or more)
- 진료 방식
- 상태에 따라 대면·비대면 여부를 의료진이 판단
증상부터 생활관리까지
섬유근육통의 세부 안내를 확인하세요
Frequently heard in the clinic
Many patients visit using these expressions
My whole body hurts as if I've been beaten
I can't sleep at all, and I'm tired even after sleeping
It feels like there is a fog in my head (brain fog)
The test results are normal, but I feel like I'm dying.
My whole body feels stiff from the moment I open my eyes in the morning.
Even a little bit of housework leaves me bedridden for several days.
It's more upsetting that my family thinks I'm faking it.
My skin stings and hurts even with the slightest touch of my clothes.
My finger joints hurt so much that it's hard to even hold a mouse.
I keep feeling depressed and have no motivation at all.
My joints feel cold and ache whenever night falls.
Painkillers only work for a short time and aren't effective.
I can't stand the heartburn without gastrointestinal medication.
The pain worsens when the weather is cloudy or rainy.
My whole body feels heavy as lead, and I don't want to move.
I'm exhausted from being told so often that I'm too sensitive.
These are expressions often heard in the clinic. If this sounds like you, you may want to consider fibromyalgia.
Consult via telehealth →What is fibromyalgia?
It refers to a state where the whole body hurts for more than 3 months despite no specific inflammation or injury. It is characterized by extreme fatigue and sleep disorders beyond simple pain. In the past, it was viewed as a rheumatic disease, but now it isa 'central sensitization' disorder where an error occurs in the process of how the brain processes paindefined as
In traditional Korean medicine, this is viewed within the category of Bi-syndrome (痺證). It is believed that pain occurs throughout the body because the circulation of Qi and Blood is not smooth (不通則痛), or because the body's fluids and energy have dried up and cannot nourish the muscles and nerves (不榮則痛).
Patients with fibromyalgia find it most difficult to be misunderstood as 'faking it.' However, this isa real disease where the nervous system has become excessively sensitivea state where the pain traffic light is broken, and it continues to send stop signals even when the light is green.
양방의 진단 기준인 전신통증지수(WPI)와 한방의 변증 진단을 결합하면, 단순히 통증 수치만 낮추는 게 아니라 통증이 생기는 몸의 환경 자체를 개선할 수 있습니다.
Fibromyalgia is less likely to occur suddenly one dayStress and overwork accumulated over a long period becomes the trigger.
섬유근육통 주요 원인, 어떻게 누적되는가
- 1 Extreme mental stress
In Korean medicine, this is called 'Gi-ul (Qi stagnation),' where stress causes energy to clump, triggering pain
- 2 Chronic fatigue and energy depletion
When Qi and blood are depleted, the body's self-healing power to suppress pain decreases
- 3 Autonomic nervous system imbalance
When the sympathetic nervous system is overactive, muscles tense and pain sensitivity increases
- 4 Hormonal and neurotransmitter abnormalities
Imbalances in pain-regulating substances, such as serotonin, are the cause
- 5 Irregular lifestyle and lack of sleep
If the body does not have time to recover at night, the pain threshold continues to lower
Generalized pain is basic,Various symptoms related to the nervous systemIt is characterized by appearing as a set.
섬유근육통 주요 증상, 환자가 실제로 느끼는 것들
Pain and Sensory Areas
- 광범위한 전신 통증, 상하좌우 전신이 다 아프고 위치가 돌아다니기도 해요
- 압통 및 감각 예민, 남들은 시원하다는 마사지도 너무 아프게 느껴져요
- 조조 강직, 아침에 일어날 때 몸이 뻣뻣해서 움직이기 힘들어요
- 시린 느낌이나 화끈거림, 뼈마디가 시리거나 피부가 타는 듯한 이상 감각
Systemic and Neurological Areas
- Extreme fatigue that persists regardless of sleep
- Brain Fog (Feeling mentally clouded and experiencing decreased concentration)
- 불면증 (잠들기 어렵거나 자주 깨는 증상)
- Depression, anxiety, and mood swings
- Headaches, dizziness, and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms
What distresses patients as much as the pain isFatigue and cognitive declineis.
If these symptoms appear together, you should suspect fibromyalgia rather than simple muscle pain.
Chronic Fibromyalgia, Baekrokdam's Approach
Summary, 단순히 통증을 누르는 게 아니라, 통증을 느끼는 몸의 기준치(역치) 자체를 정상화하는 게 핵심이거든요.
Why Baekrokdam focuses on herbal medicine
The goal of herbal medicine is not just to suppress external symptoms, but to create a body that can recover on its own without drugs.
Patients with fibromyalgiaA state where the nervous system has already become hypersensitive. General anti-inflammatory painkillers often don't work well, and strong neuropathic pain medications are difficult to take long-term due to side effects such as drowsiness or dizziness. This creates a vicious cycle where pain returns immediately after stopping the medication.
Herbal medicine is aimed at helping the body spontaneously recover the collapsed balance of the autonomic nervous system and the circulation of Qi and blood.It is not simply about blocking the sensation of pain, but about filling the body's energy so that it reacts less sensitively to pain signals. This is why herbal medicine is a fundamental alternative for chronic pain.
Why it does not show up well in tests
Tests look at numerical values and structures, but the essence is often a 'body imbalance' that is not easily captured by tests.
Imaging tests in modern medicine'Structural damage'look for things like whether a bone is broken or if there is swelling due to inflammation. However, in fibromyalgia, the structure is intact, but'Pain control system'the software is in a broken state. Software errors do not appear in photos that capture hardware.
Therefore, the phrase "there is nothing wrong"does not mean "it doesn't hurt," but simply that "the cause is not structural."The actual suffering felt by the patient is often more clearly explained from the perspective of Korean medicine, as an imbalance in the flow of Qi and blood and the function of the internal organs.
그래서 어떻게 치료하느냐, 백록담의 방식
We examine the entire body through inquiry, pulse diagnosis, and abdominal diagnosis, and resolve the root cause together with herbal medicine.
The more invisible the pain is,Medical examination to carefully assess the patient's general conditionthe more it is required.
- Abdominal Examination (Bok-jin), 복부의 압통점과 긴장도를 통해 스트레스(간기울결) 정도와 소화기 상태를 확인합니다
- Pulse Diagnosis (Maek-jin), 맥의 세기와 흐름을 통해 기혈이 부족한지, 어혈이 정체되어 있는지 진단합니다
- Medical Interview (Mun-jin), 수면 패턴, 브레인포그 유무, 정서적 상태, 통증의 양상을 심층적으로 파악합니다
Based on this diagnosisSimultaneous replenishment of Qi and Blood and promotion of energy flowWe prescribe herbal medicine. Instead of focusing only on pain, we improve overall systemic condition, such as sleep quality and digestion. As the body becomes comfortable, the nervous system naturally stabilizes, raising the pain threshold.
Differentiation of fibromyalgia patterns observed in clinical practice
The cause and pattern of pain in fibromyalgia vary for each patient. We approach it by dividing it into four major types.
Liver Qi Stagnation Type肝氣鬱結
Those with high stress, frequent anger, and pain that fluctuates according to emotional changes
Treatment Direction: Soothe the Liver and Relieve Stagnation (Sogan Haeul)
Qi and Blood Deficiency Type氣血兩虛
Those who feel exhausted with minimal movement and experience extreme lethargy along with pain
Treatment Direction: Tonify Qi and Blood (Boik Gi-hyeol)
Heart and Spleen Deficiency Type心脾兩虛
Those who cannot sleep due to overthinking, have weak digestion, and experience generalized body aches
Treatment direction: Strengthening the Spleen and Nourishing the Heart (健脾養心)
Blood stasis accumulation type瘀血阻滯
Those whose pain is localized, worsens at night, and feels like a stabbing sensation
치법 방향: 활혈거어(活血祛瘀)
Prescriptions may vary each time depending on the patient's condition,Check for changes every 2–4 weeksTherefore, we adjust it with the most suitable medicinal herbs.
Progress by stage of fibromyalgia treatment
- 1개월 차, 수면과 피로도의 변화
First of allImproving sleep quality and reducing feelings of fatigueis the goal.
- The feeling that 'the body feels a bit lighter' comes before the actual pain score decreases
- The frequency of waking up during the night decreases, and there is less stiffness when waking up in the morning
- The detailed medicinal herbs in the prescription are adjusted based on the body's response to the herbal medicine
- 2~3개월 차, 통증 역치의 상향
In earnestThe period when the intensity and frequency of pain decreaseis.
- Sensory sensitivity, where even a light touch of clothing caused pain, begins to decrease
- Your condition will improve to the point where you can gradually reduce the frequency of painkiller intake
- Brain fog clears and daily activities (housework, work) become easier
- 3~4개월 차, 안정화 및 재발 방지
The recovered pain thresholdThe final stage of making the body remember itis.
- Pain does not fluctuate significantly even with external stimuli such as weather or stress
- Gradually reduce the dose of herbal medicine and develop the strength to control pain on your own
- Energy levels recover enough to allow for light exercise
Fibromyalgia requires recovery of the nervous system, so it is important not to rush. Although there are individual differences, recovery generally follows this flow.
Chronic patients with symptoms for over 10 yearsis because the sensitivity of the nervous system is very deeply rootedLong-term treatment of 6 months or moremay be necessary. It is important to change from the roots slowly without giving up.
진료를 더 구체적으로 시작하려면
섬유근육통 진료 전에 준비하면 좋은 정보
검사·진료 자료
기존 검사·진료 자료가 있다면: 섬유근육통과 관련해 받은 류마티스·신경과 진료와 염증·갑상선 등 감별 혈액검사 결과, 복용약 기록
복용 중인 약
현재 복용 중인 약은 처방전·약 봉투·약 이름 사진 또는 복용 목록으로, 건강기능식품과 함께 정리해 주세요
증상과 변화
관찰해 오면 좋은 변화: 통증 부위·피로·수면·인지 불편의 일별 변화와 활동 후 반응.
증상 예시 자세히 보기
섬유근육통과 관련해 느끼는 증상(광범위한 전신 통증, 상하좌우 전신이 다 아프고 위치가 돌아다니기도 해요·압통 및 감각 예민, 남들은 시원하다는 마사지도 너무 아프게 느껴져요·조조 강직, 아침에 일어날 때 몸이 뻣뻣해서 움직이기 힘들어요)의 빈도와 강도도 함께 적어 주세요
이전 치료 반응
이전 치료의 반응: 치료명과 기간, 좋아진 점·남은 불편·중단한 이유·이상반응, 다시 악화된 시점을 함께 적어 주세요
이전 치료 뒤에도 불편이 남거나 다시 반복되나요? 지금까지 받은 검사·치료와 그 뒤 달라진 점을 적어 주세요. 거리가 있어 내원이 쉽지 않아도 먼저 문의하시면 의료진이 대면·비대면 중 적합한 진료 방식을 안내합니다.
Diseases often confused with fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia has similar symptoms to other diseases, so accurate differential diagnosis is essential.
관절의 염증과 변형이 특징이며 혈액검사상 염증 수치가 높아요. 섬유근육통은 관절 자체보다 근육과 연부조직이 아프고 검사는 정상입니다.
The primary symptom is 'exhausting fatigue' rather than pain. Since there is significant overlap with fibromyalgia, they often need to be managed together.
Fatigue and muscle pain can occur due to decreased metabolism. It must be differentiated by checking hormone levels through blood tests.
Psychological factors can manifest as physical pain. In fibromyalgia, physical pain is real, and depression often occurs secondarily because of it.
This is pain caused by muscle knots in specific areas (shoulders, back of the neck, etc.), which differs in scope from the systemic pain of fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia treatment reviews
Fibromyalgia Frequently Asked Questions
섬유근육통에 좋은 음식은 무엇인가요?
특정 항염 식단이 섬유근육통을 치료한다고 단정할 수는 없어요. 채소·통곡물·콩·생선 중심 균형식을 유지하고 개인적으로 통증·장 증상을 키우는 음식만 기록해 조절하세요. 백록담에서는 기혈허·담습·어혈과 수면·소화·피로의 악순환을 함께 관리합니다.
Why does fibromyalgia occur? Isn't it just simple muscle pain?
It is not simple muscle pain, but a type of 'Central Sensitization Syndrome.' It is a state where the nervous system that controls pain becomes hypersensitive, causing stimuli that others wouldn't find painful to be felt intensely. In Oriental medicine, this widespread pain is seen as occurring when Qi and blood are blocked or depleted, failing to properly nourish the body.
X-rays and blood tests are all normal; can it still be treated?
Fibromyalgia is a problem of function, not structure. Although it does not appear on imaging, the pain the patient feels is real. By identifying the flow of Qi and blood and the imbalance of the organs through Oriental medical diagnosis (abdominal and pulse diagnosis), we can sufficiently determine the direction of treatment.
I am already taking Western medications like Lyrica or Cymbalta. Can I take herbal medicine at the same time?
Yes, it is possible. Rather than stopping Western medicine from the start, the priority is to improve your overall body condition by using herbal medicine concurrently. The goal is to gradually reduce dependence on Western medicine as your pain threshold recovers. Please consult your prescribing physician to adjust your medication slowly.
How long is the expected treatment period?
Generally, 3 to 4 months is considered the basic treatment course. However, for chronic cases—such as those who have suffered for over 5 years or have severe brain fog and insomnia—it may continue for 6 months to a year. There are individual differences depending on the speed of recovery of the body's energy.
Is it possible to get a prescription for herbal medicine through telemedicine?
네, 가능합니다. 백록담은 비대면 진료 시스템을 갖추고 있어 비대면으로 상담받으실 수 있어요. 통증 부위와 동반 증상을 상세히 문진하여 환자분 체질에 맞는 처방이 결정되면 조제·수령 방법을 안내드립니다.
Doesn't herbal medicine only work while I'm taking it?
While Western medicine temporarily blocks pain signals, herbal medicine increases the body's own strength (threshold) to endure pain. Because it works by replenishing Qi and blood and aiding circulation, the goal is to maintain the recovered state even after treatment.
It's hard enough that my whole body hurts, but I also have indigestion and feel tired even after sleeping. Are these also symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Yes, that is very possible. Fibromyalgia is not simply a disease where only the muscles hurt, but a state where overall systemic function is declined. In fact, about 50-80% of patients experience irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, and sleep disorders. In Korean medicine, this is seen as a phenomenon resulting from an imbalance of organ functions, specifically the stagnation of energy in the spleen (responsible for digestion) and the liver (which regulates stress). Therefore, rather than just suppressing pain, treating it by balancing the collapsed five viscera and six entrails and replenishing Qi and blood to improve overall condition is greatly helpful in alleviating symptoms.
My body aches more when it rains or the weather gets cold; is it just my imagination?
It is absolutely not your imagination. Fibromyalgia patients have a sensitized central nervous system that regulates pain, making them react sensitively to changes in the external environment. In Korean medicine, it is explained that pain worsens when 'Han-seup' (cold and damp energy) enters the body and obstructs the circulation of Qi and blood. In particular, when the temperature drops, muscles and blood vessels contract, further lowering the pain threshold. At Baekrokdam, through the principle of 'Tong-gyeong-hwal-rak' (clearing the meridians), we warm the body and aid circulation to increase physical regulatory power so that pain does not worsen sharply due to seasonal or weather changes.
Other systemic diseases to consider alongside fibromyalgia
These are systemic and neurological diseases that often appear alongside fibromyalgia or are easily confused with it.
근거와 검토 정보
섬유근육통 안내에 참고한 자료
아래 자료는 질환의 일반적인 정의·증상·검사·안전 기준을 확인하는 데 사용했습니다. 백록담의 진료 관점은 이 자료의 결론을 그대로 옮긴 것이 아니며, 개인에게 적용할 때는 진찰과 검사 결과를 함께 봐야 합니다.
콘텐츠 검토 기준일:
- NIAMS, 섬유근육통 증상과 원인
이 자료에서 확인한 범위섬유근육통 원인불명과 통증 신호 처리·민감도·유전·환경 연구
- NHS, Fibromyalgia causes
이 자료에서 확인한 범위중추 통증 처리 변화와 유전 소인·부상·감염·스트레스 촉발 한계
- NIH/NCBI
이 자료에서 확인한 범위정의·일반 의학정보에 관한 연구의 설계·결과와 해석 범위를 확인하기 위한 원문
- NIH/PMC
이 자료에서 확인한 범위정의·일반 의학정보에 관한 연구의 설계·결과와 해석 범위를 확인하기 위한 원문
함께 보면 좋은 문서
다음으로 보면 좋은 자료
현재 보고 있는 문서Fibromyalgia
관련 주제와 진료 정보를 이어서 확인하면 이해가 더 빠릅니다.
이 페이지의 요약과 검수 정보
검수 의료진
최연승 한의사 Chief Director
페이지 요약
섬유근육통은 뚜렷한 염증이나 부상이 없는데도 전신 통증이 3개월 이상 이어지고 피로·수면장애·브레인포그가 동반되는 중추감작 질환입니다. 관절 염증과 변형이 있는 류마티스관절염, 피로가 중심인 만성피로증후군과 통증 범위와 검사 소견으로 구분합니다.
이 페이지가 다루는 내용
- 무엇을 설명하나요
- 검사는 정상인데 온몸이 아프고 피곤하며 잠을 잘 못 자면 섬유근육통인가요?
- 어떤 상황을 다루나요
- 3개월 이상 넓게 퍼진 통증과 압통·피로·수면장애·브레인포그가 있는 분을 대상으로 합니다.
- 무엇을 구별해서 보나요
- 섬유근육통은 근육과 연부조직의 전신 통증이 중심이고 류마티스관절염은 관절 염증과 변형이 나타납니다.
- 어떻게 이해하면 되나요
- 전신 통증은 류마티스관절염·갑상선 기능 저하·만성피로증후군·근막통증증후군과 구분해야 합니다.
핵심 내용
- 섬유근육통은 특별한 염증이나 부상 없이 온몸의 통증이 3개월 이상 이어지는 중추감작 질환입니다.
- 광범위한 전신 통증·압통·아침 강직과 피로·브레인포그·불면이 함께 나타날 수 있습니다.
- 류마티스관절염은 관절 염증과 변형 및 높은 염증 수치가 특징이고 섬유근육통은 검사 소견이 뚜렷하지 않을 수 있습니다.