Main ClinicDigestive Disorders

CHRONIC GASTRITIS

Chronic Gastritis

Do you still have heartburn and bloating even though you keep taking gastritis medication?

The discomfort of chronic gastritis is not caused by mucosal inflammation alone. We look at gastric motility disorders, autonomic nervous system imbalance, and damjeok together, and provide treatment to help restore both the mucosa and the movement of the stomach.

+82-2-792-1904

POINT 01
Treatment goals tailored to the stage of gastritis, such as superficial gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia
POINT 02
Assessment of gastric motility, vitality, and autonomic nervous system status with electrogastrography, ryodoraku, and HRV
POINT 03
Medical team with a background in gastroenterology that has participated in Korean medicine research on chronic gastritis and indigestion

01SELF CHECK

Are you struggling with these symptoms?

0/ 7

Tap the items that apply to you.

02WHY IT HAPPENS

What stage is my gastritis?

Chronic gastritis is a condition in which inflammation continues in the stomach lining for a long time. It is classified as superficial gastritis, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and other types according to mucosal swelling and redness, fold thickness and atrophy, bleeding, and nodules seen on endoscopy. It may also be classified as erythematous, exudative, erosive, or hypertrophic gastritis based on the appearance of the mucosa.

01
Erosive Gastritis
This is a condition in which the mucosa has become eroded due to ongoing or repeated inflammatory damage. The mucosa may look flat or raised in places, and it is a type of inflammation that differs in nature from gastritis that progresses from superficial to atrophic gastritis.
02
Superficial Gastritis
This is the early stage of chronic gastritis, and most cases of chronic gastritis with mild symptoms fall into this category. Inflammation remains in the mucosa, with repeated inflammation, defects, and regeneration, but there is not yet deep inflammation beyond the mucosal layer.
03
Atrophic Gastritis
This is a stage that has progressed beyond superficial gastritis. The gastric gland cells are destroyed, so the mucosal folds disappear or become thin, and the blood vessels under the mucosa can be seen. Long-term inflammation makes the mucosa dry and thin, causing various symptoms.
04
Intestinal Metaplasia
This is a phenomenon in which the epithelium of the stomach lining changes into a form similar to the small intestinal epithelium, and it is known as a precancerous stage of stomach cancer. The cells change into cells that are not originally found in the stomach, which can limit the stomach’s natural roles, such as secreting digestive enzymes.

Progression

01Normal gastric mucosa
02Superficial Gastritis
03Atrophic Gastritis
04Intestinal Metaplasia
05Stomach cancer

The causes of symptoms are not limited to mucosal inflammation. Gastric motility disorders, autonomic nervous system imbalance, problems with gastric juice secretion including stomach acid, and the Korean medicine concepts of dameum (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention) and damjeok work together. That is why the constitution and symptoms should be examined closely.

Source: Survey on the Endoscopic Diagnosis of Chronic Gastritis, HW Lee, The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 14(3):194, 2014 / What Have We Accomplished in Endoscopic Image Analysis for Atrophic Gastritis, HH Kim, The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 13(1):6, 2013

03WHY TREAT EARLY

It is best to correct it at the superficial gastritis stage

The deeper and wider the inflammation becomes, the longer treatment tends to take and the more often it recurs. However, many people visit only after being diagnosed with atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia and experiencing systemic symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, headache, insomnia, and tinnitus. That is why it is important to set treatment goals accurately for the current stage.

The goal is to help restore both the mucosal condition and gastric motility so that the stomach can remain healthy without relying on treatment.

Symptoms that may appear together

Not feeling hungry
No appetite
Weight loss
Low energy
Decreased concentration
Headache
Insomnia
Tinnitus

CONSULTATION

Consider a consultation before symptoms become long-standing

If you bring your test results, we will review your current condition together.

+82-2-792-1904 KakaoTalk

PROCESS

How Care Proceeds

01
Consultation · Pulse Diagnosis
We listen carefully to your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and treatment history, then assess your condition through pulse and tongue diagnosis.
02
Detailed Testing
We check organ function, energy level, and autonomic nervous system balance with tests suited to your condition.
03
Pattern Identification · Diagnosis
We combine your test results and constitution to find the underlying cause of your symptoms.
04
1:1 Customized Prescription
We design the needed treatments for each person, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and moxibustion.
05
Progress Management
We monitor your progress through regular tests and consultations and adjust prescriptions as needed.

Helpful to bringIf you bring your blood test and endoscopy results, we can provide more thorough care.

04DIAGNOSIS

We find causes beyond the mucosa through testing

TEST 01
Electrogastrography (EGG)
We check whether reduced gastric motility is hidden behind gastritis symptoms. By comparing the stomach’s electrical signals before and after meals, we assess its ability to move food along. Only electrodes are attached to the abdomen, so there is little pain.
TEST 02
Ryodoraku Meridian Function Test
We measure the function of the organs and meridians at acupuncture points on the hands and feet to assess overall energy levels and the deficiency-excess (虛實) pattern of the condition. This helps us understand how much vitality has declined due to long-standing gastritis and estimate the treatment period.
TEST 03
Hand Yangming Meridian Test (HRV)
When systemic symptoms such as headache and insomnia are also present, we check whether autonomic nervous system balance is disrupted and whether activity has decreased. We also assess the stress index.

Electrogastrography results are classified by stomach movement compared with normal.

Mild Gastrointestinal Disorder
About 70% movement compared with normal
Moderate Gastrointestinal Disorder
About 40% movement compared with normal
Severe Gastrointestinal Disorder
About 20% movement compared with normal

05TREATMENT

We help restore both the mucosa and the movement of the stomach

Along with treating the stomach itself, we look at the whole body to find causes, including autonomic nervous system balance, damjeok, and the balance of gastric juice secretion including stomach acid. In chronic gastritis, we focus especially on strengthening the damaged mucosa, easing chronic inflammation, and restoring stomach movement.

01Strengthening digestive function
02Restoring digestive vitality
03Strengthening stomach movement
04Strengthening the damaged stomach lining
05Easing chronic inflammation
06Damjeok toxin removal
07Increasing abdominal temperature
08Easing autonomic nervous system stress

One-on-One Personalized Herbal Medicine

Prescriptions vary according to the stage of gastritis, constitution, duration of illness, and lifestyle habits. After consultation, we decide whether to first reduce discomfort such as heartburn and bloating, or to use a “treatment and tonic in one” approach that also replenishes weakened digestive function and vitality.

Bowi Gongjindan (補胃供辰丹)

This prescription is for people who have no appetite and whose digestion and absorption have declined, weakening their energy. To deer antler, we added atractylodes and amomum fruit to support the spleen and stomach (脾胃: digestive organs), and ginseng and astragalus to tonify qi. We reduced musk and added agarwood so it can be taken for a long time with less burden.

Chiwisan (治胃散) and Other Extract Powders

This prescription is made by simmering a decoction for about 3 hours and then processing it into a highly concentrated powder at our In-House Herbal Medicine Research Lab. It is used to help maintain the improved condition after treatment with decoctions has stabilized.

Acupuncture · Moxibustion · Radiofrequency Thermotherapy

Most patients receive treatment 2–3 times a week together with herbal medicine.

Bowi and Bojang acupuncture: Based on symptoms and pattern identification, acupuncture points on the abdomen, back, and limbs are used to help restore digestive function and stabilize the autonomic nervous system.
Large moxibustionThis large moxibustion treatment covers the entire abdomen, warming a cold abdomen to help digestive movement.
Radiofrequency thermotherapy: This raises the temperature deep in the abdomen to help the movement of a stiff stomach.

06TREATMENT STEPS

Treatment proceeds in 3 steps

STEP 1
Bowi (Tonifying the Stomach) Treatment
We help restore digestive function and vitality together.
STEP 2
Chiwi (Treating the Stomach) Treatment
We focus on maintaining the recovered digestive function to help prevent recurrence.
STEP 3
Ongoing Treatment
We correct overall lifestyle habits and continue regular care.

07CASES

Changes in gastric motility seen on electrogastrography

CASE 01

These are electrogastrography graphs from before treatment → after 8 months of treatment → after 1 year of treatment.

CASE 02

These are electrogastrography graphs from before treatment → after 2 months of treatment → after 6 months of intensive treatment.

These are electrogastrography test results from actual patients who visited our clinic, and results may vary by individual.

08EXPERTISE

Medical team that has studied chronic gastritis and indigestion

About 200 research papers on digestive system disorders (Gastroenterology Team during service at Kyung Hee Medical Center)

Presidential Physician · Twice Served as Director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital
Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director
- PhD in Korean Medicine Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University
- Head Professor of Gastroenterology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University
- Twice Served as Director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, Kyung Hee Medical Center
- Former Presidential Physician for President Lee Myung-bak
Digestive SystemRespiratory SystemFatigue · Tonic Herbal Medicine
4th-Generation Korean Medicine Doctor · Korean Medicine Internal Medicine Specialist
Dr. Hansung Ryu, Chief Director
- Specialist Training, Korean Medicine Cancer Center, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong
- Training at a Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospital (Joslin Diabetes Center)
- Training at the Block Center (Integrative Cancer Center, USA)
- Researcher in the Development of Korean Medicine Standard Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cancer Symptom Relief
SkinDigestive SystemDiabetes · MetabolismConstitutional Immunity & CancerPain · Traffic Accidents

50 years of digestive care experience from Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director, who served as director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, head of the gastroenterology department, and director of the Herbal Medicine Research Institute
Published about 200 research papers with the gastroenterology team while serving at Kyung Hee University Medical Center
All family medical team members are from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, with father-and-son Korean internal medicine specialists providing care together

Related research

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine2004
A Study on the Correlation Between Dyspepsia and Gwasim-tang — Through the Evaluation of Stress, Qi Stagnation, and Spleen Deficiency Pattern
Sanguk Lee, Jinsung Kim, Bongha Ryu, et al.
In a study comparing 105 patients with functional dyspepsia and 118 symptom-free patients with chronic gastritis, more severe qi stagnation (氣鬱: a state in which qi does not circulate and becomes blocked) and stress were reported to be associated with more severe dyspepsia symptoms. Among pattern identification types, qi stagnation symptoms were more pronounced in spleen yin deficiency (脾陰虛: insufficient fluids of the digestive organs), spleen qi sinking (脾氣下陷: a weakened spleen qi that sinks downward), and spleen failing to control blood (脾不通血: weakened spleen qi that cannot contain the blood).
The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine2019
A Case Report on Korean Medicine Treatment for a Female Patient With Functional Dyspepsia and Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Sanghyup Yoon
This case report described a patient with chronic atrophic gastritis accompanied by dyspepsia, headache, and sleep disturbance who received Pyungwi-san (平胃散) and Banhasasim-tang (半夏瀉心湯) extracts along with acupuncture, and showed improvement in gastric contractility, gastric mucosal blood flow, and symptoms.
The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine2002
Evaluation and Case Reports of Three Patients With Functional Dyspepsia
Seokgyu Park, Jinsung Kim, Bongha Ryu, et al.
This case report described a patient who had chronic gastritis for 8 years, could eat only thin rice gruel, and had lost 10kg. After acupuncture treatment and Banha-baekchul-cheonma-tang (半夏白朮天麻湯), symptoms improved by hospital day 16, body weight increased by 3kg, and solid foods such as porridge and seasoned vegetables became possible.

The above information reflects the research and case results reported in the cited papers and does not guarantee individual treatment effects.

WHY HOECHUNDANG

Why Choose Hoechundang Kyunghee Ryu Korean Medicine Clinic

01
For 4 Generations Since 1904
For 4 generations, we have carried on Hoechundang’s treatment principle of seeing the stomach and intestines as the foundation of health.
02
Family Medical Team from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital
Dr. Bongha Ryu, Honorary Director, who twice served as director of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and as a presidential physician; Dr. Hansung Ryu, Chief Director, a Korean medicine internal medicine specialist; and Dr. Seungwon Baek, Director, first author of an SCI-level paper on women’s health, provide care together.
03
Prepared In-House at Our Herbal Medicine Research Lab
Based on the research of our affiliated Herbal Medicine Research Institute, we prepare prescriptions in-house and use verified herbal ingredients at a level supplied to Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital.
04
15 Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment Rooms
We expanded our treatment rooms so patients can receive a variety of treatments, such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, Cupping, large moxibustion, radiofrequency, thermal dome therapy, Chuna Manual Therapy, and traction therapy, with minimal waiting.

09FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhy do I still feel uncomfortable even when I take gastritis medication?

Chronic gastritis symptoms are caused not only by mucosal inflammation, but also by problems such as impaired gastric motility, autonomic nervous system imbalance, gastric acid secretion issues, and damjeok. If only the inflammation is reduced, discomfort may remain, so we use electrogastrography and HRV testing to check for other causes as well.

QI was diagnosed with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. How should I manage them?

Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia are advanced stages of chronic gastritis. We set goals that include both mucosal recovery and restoration of gastric motility, and we also look at systemic symptoms such as poor appetite and weight loss. Bringing your endoscopy report can be helpful for your consultation.

QAfter treatment ends, won’t it get worse again?

In stage 1, we restore digestive function and vitality, and in stage 2, maintenance treatment helps preserve that function. In stage 3, we focus on reducing recurrence through lifestyle management and regular follow-up care.

QHow often do I receive acupuncture treatment?

It varies by person, but while taking herbal medicine, most patients receive acupuncture and moxibustion treatment 2–3 times per week.

CONSULTATION

Consider a consultation before symptoms become long-standing

If you bring your test results, we will review your current condition together.

+82-2-792-1904 KakaoTalk

RESERVATION