Using a Korean medicine clinic
A Korean medicine clinic (한의원) treats with acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping and herbal medicine.
When people go
- Muscle pain, back pain, neck and shoulder stiffness
- Pain after a traffic accident — often covered by car insurance
- Indigestion, chronic fatigue and similar
Sudden severe pain, paralysis, high fever or chest pain are emergencies — call 119, not a Korean medicine clinic.
How to use one
- Visit the clinic. Some require an appointment.
- Always state your symptoms and the medications you take.
- After consultation you receive acupuncture, physiotherapy or herbal medicine.
- Some items are covered by health insurance. Herbal decoctions are often not. Ask about costs in advance.
What you must disclose
- Current medications — blood pressure, diabetes, anticoagulants. Show the packet or a photo.
- Pregnancy or plans to conceive
- Allergies
- Any liver or kidney disease
Herbal medicine is medicine. Combined with other drugs it can cause problems.
Where to go
- A local Korean medicine clinic or hospital
- 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service (coverage questions)
- 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation
- 119 in emergencies
Questions people ask
Is it covered by health insurance? Acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping include covered items. Herbal decoctions often are not. Ask before treatment.
Can it treat traffic accident injuries? Korean medicine treatment under car insurance is common. Report to the insurer and bring the claim number. See traffic-accident.
Can I attend a Western clinic at the same time? Yes, but tell both that you are attending the other. Medications can overlap or conflict.
Does acupuncture hurt? It varies by person. Tell the practitioner immediately if it is uncomfortable.
Take care
Never buy herbal medicine of unknown origin or "cure-all" remedies. With unknown ingredients they can damage the liver and kidneys. Always be prescribed by a licensed clinic and disclose everything you are taking.
Related
physical-therapy · medicine-safety · traffic-accident · how-to-see-doctor
Source
Ministry of Health and Welfare www.mohw.go.kr / As of 2026-08