A Case Report of Dysautonomia Improved by Acupotomy and Integrative Korean Medicine Treatment

Objectives: Dysautonomia, characterized by an imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, presents with diverse somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms.Due to limited efficacy and side effects of pharmacological treatments, integrative Korean medicine including acupotomy and manual therapies is explored as an alternative.This study reports a clinical case demonstrating symptomatic improvement of dysautonomia through integrative Korean medicine without adverse effects.Methods: A 31-year-old male patient diagnosed with dysautonomia presented with chronic headaches, anxiety, palpitations, fatigue, and digestive issues.Over four months, he received 20 sessions of integrative treatment, including acupotomy targeting suboccipital muscles, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, trapezius, cervical/thoracic facet joints, and cervical transverse processes.The patient underwent integrative Korean medicine treatment that included Chuna manual therapy, acupotomy, acupuncture, and cupping.Outcomes were assessed using BAI, BDI, GSRS, MIDAS scales, serial blood pressure and pulse recordings, spinal X-rays, and patient-reported symptom tracking.Results: Anxiety (BAI) improved from 37 to 23, depression (BDI) from 23 to 7, headache severity (MIDAS) from 40 to 2, and gastrointestinal symptoms (GSRS) from 6 to 3. Heart rate and blood pressure showed no significant changes, with heart rate remaining around 60 bpm throughout the treatment period.X-rays revealed normalization of temporomandibular joint and cervical alignment, decreased thoracic hyperkyphosis, and improved spinal symmetry.Patient-reported outcomes included resolution of tension-type headaches, enhanced mood and energy, improved digestion, and reduced autonomic symptoms.No adverse effects or treatment discontinuation occurred.Conclusion: This case suggests that acupotomy and integrative Korean medicine may alleviate symptoms of dysautonomia without pharmacologic side effects.