Intercostal Neuralgia

The main causes of intercostal neuralgia exacerbation during sleep are: ① chest wall compression due to maintaining the same position for a long time, ② reduced intercostal oxygen supply due to reduced breathing during sleep, and ③ increased pain perception due to parasympathetic dominance (pain feels more acute at night than during the day). Recommended sleeping positions: Side position with the side opposite the pain facing down, placing a pillow between the knees (for spinal alignment), and supporting the thoracic spine with a small rolled pillow. The prone position is contraindicated due to thoracic hyperextension. Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective

In Korean medicine, the worsening of nocturnal pain is viewed as an indicator of a deficiency in body fluids (Jin-yeok) that moisten and cool the body, or of blood stagnation. When the energy that calms down at night becomes dominant, stagnant blood and blocked energy become more pronounced. At Dongjedang, for cases of severe nocturnal pain, we formulate herbal medicine to disperse stagnant blood and replenish deficient body fluids and blood. We also provide guidance on self-care methods, such as pressing acupressure points on the legs before bedtime to send the Qi and blood that have accumulated upwards downward.