A Case Report of Suspected Achalasia Re-evaluated as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Korean Medical Treatment

Objectives: This report presents clinical improvement measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the diagnostic reevaluation from suspected achalasia to gastroesophageal reflux disease in a patient treated with integrative Korean medicine.Methods: A 73-year-old female patient, initially suspected of achalasia with erosive gastritis, was treated with a series of herbal medicines, including </i>Ondam-tang-gami</i> (溫膽湯加味), <i>Saengganggyulpi-tang</i> (生薑橘皮湯), <i>Bokryeongbanga-tang</i> (茯苓半夏湯), <i>Jisiljigaksaenggang-tang</i> (枳實枳殼生薑湯), <i>Socheongryong-tang</i> (小靑龍湯), and <i>Maekmundong-tang</i> (麥門冬湯), in combination with acupuncture at Back-shu points (背輸穴). Symptom severity was quantitatively assessed using the VAS.Results: Within two weeks of integrative treatment, VAS assessments showed marked improvement across major symptoms. The patient's primary symptoms-postprandial nausea and epigastric discomfort-improved significantly, with VAS scores decreasing from 6 and 8 to 2 and 4, respectively.Conclusion: This case highlights the potential utility of integrative Korean medicine as a therapeutic option for patients with structural and motility-related gastroesophageal disorders.