Receiving physiotherapy
Physiotherapy reduces pain and restores function.
Where to receive it
- Orthopaedic, rehabilitation medicine and neurosurgery clinics
- Korean medicine clinics (Korean physical therapy) — see traditional-medicine
- Rehabilitation and general hospitals
You are seen by a doctor first and go to the treatment room on their prescription.
The treatments
- Heat and cold therapy
- Electrical therapy — low frequency and similar
- Ultrasound therapy
- Manual therapy — hands-on treatment by a therapist. Often uninsured, with varying prices. Check in advance.
- Exercise therapy
Costs
- Items divide into insured and uninsured.
- Manual therapy and shockwave therapy are often uninsured and priced differently at each hospital.
- If you have indemnity insurance, check what it covers.
- Before treatment, ask "is this covered, and how much is it?"
For traffic accidents and industrial injuries
- Traffic accidents — treatment under car insurance is common. Report to the insurer. See traffic-accident.
- Industrial accidents — treatment costs are covered once recognised. 1588-0075. See industrial-accident-benefits.
Where to go
- Orthopaedic and rehabilitation medicine clinics
- 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service (coverage)
- 1588-0075 Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service
- 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation
Questions people ask
How many sessions do I need? It depends on your condition. One session rarely fixes it. Keep to the number your doctor set.
It hurts more after treatment. That can be temporary, but always report it if severe. The intensity needs adjusting.
Manual therapy is expensive — is it essential? Sometimes it is needed, but being uninsured it is costly. Ask the doctor why it is needed and whether there is an alternative.
I can't follow the therapist. Use 1577-1366 interpretation, and ask for home exercises to be recorded as photos or video.
Take care
If pain suddenly worsens, your leg weakens, or sensation changes, get re-examined immediately. Diagnoses are sometimes delayed because people simply keep going to physiotherapy.
Related
rehabilitation · traditional-medicine · traffic-accident · industrial-accident-benefits
Source
Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service www.hira.or.kr / As of 2026-08