While the Donguibogam concept of the 'triple energizer' was a functional system encompassing the circulation and metabolism of the entire body, modern medicine can explain this through the complex interactions of the 'autonomic nervous system', 'circulatory system', and 'endocrine system'. Symptoms such as numbness in hands and feet, edema, and upper heat and lower cold often originate from an imbalance among these systems.
First, the autonomic nervous system is the control tower regulating our body's unconscious functions. It oversees heartbeat, blood pressure, digestion, and thermoregulation. When this autonomic nervous system balance is disrupted due to stress or irregular lifestyle habits, symptoms similar to 'upper heat and lower cold' can appear. When the sympathetic nerve becomes excessively hyperactive, blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow volume to the extremities of the hands and feet, which can cause coldness and numbness in hands and feet. At the same time, increased secretion of stress hormones can induce a sensation of heat or tightness in the upper body, especially the head and chest. Poor blood circulation prevents nutrients and oxygen from properly reaching capillary ends, worsening numbness and hindering waste discharge, which can lead to edema.
In addition, endocrine system hormonal imbalance is another significant cause. In women particularly, hypothyroidism or sex hormone fluctuations (such as during the climacteric) greatly affect thermoregulation and blood circulation, potentially worsening symptoms of cold or swollen hands and feet. For example, when thyroid gland function declines, overall metabolism slows down, body temperature drops, and blood circulation can also decelerate. Edema is not merely water accumulation; it refers to a condition where fluid that leaked outside blood vessels fails to undergo proper reabsorption and pools among tissues. This can arise from diverse causes including circulatory disorders, lymphatic circulation disorders, or kidney function issues.
In particular, sedentary lifestyles and a lack of exercise—chronic issues of modern individuals—further hinder lower-body circulation. Gravity easily causes blood to stagnate in the legs, and reduced pumping action through muscle contraction and relaxation triggers lower-body edema and cold syndrome. Conversely, excessive stress, caffeine, and smartphone overuse act as factors directing heat toward the upper body and head, worsening upward heat symptoms. Ultimately, modern medicine also emphasizes that our entire body is organically connected, much like the triple energizer concept in Donguibogam. Restoring overall balance from head to toe can be considered the first step in improving circulatory system diseases.
