Traditional Korean medicine

Pedro: I think I hurt my waist when I lifted all those boxes the other day.

Jessie: Ouch. You should get it checked as soon as possible.

Su-hyeon: Jessie's right, Pedro. Whenever my waist hurts, I always go to a clinic to get acupuncture. There are many clinics of traditional Korean medicine that offer acupuncture, moxibustion (burning of dried mugwort on certain parts of the body) and hanyak (herbal medicine) to cure all kinds of diseases. We should go together.

Pedro: Wow, I can't wait to give acupuncture a try. Let's go. 

Su-hyeon: First, let's go to the traditional Korean medical clinics registered as hosts for foreign patients. You can find out about them through the information system of such clinics (www.medicalkorea.or.kr).

Pedro: Wow, I didn't know such clinics exist in Korea.

Su-hyeon: Of course, 154 registered clinics offer specialized medical care to foreigners. But make sure that the clinic you visit has interpreters available, as a few don't offer interpretation.

Pedro: What should I do if interpretation isn't available?

Su-hyeon: Don’t worry. Remember bbb Korea, the free three-way interpretation service that I told you about? You can use it during the diagnosis.

Jessie: All right, let's go.

Su-hyeon: Pedro, you should go to the registration desk and give your name, address and phone number as well as your symptoms. Good, now it's our turn. Let's go inside.

Doctor: Hello, what seems to be the problem?

Pedro: It's my waist. It's been sore since I stood around working all day.

Doctor: Let's take a look at your waist (presses firmly on Pedro's waist).

Pedro: Ow! Yeah, that's the part that aches.

Doctor: It seems you have light waist pain. We'll massage your waist with a steaming towel and treat it with acupuncture and moxibustion. Your waist should be fine.

Pedro: Won't acupuncture hurt a lot?

Doctor: Don't worry, it'll only sting slightly. Let's move you to the treatment room. Do you have anything else to discuss?

Su-hyeon: Jessie, want a diagnosis?

Jessie: Yes. I feel like I have a minor fever, probably because I slept with the air conditioner on. Can you take a look at me as well?

Doctor: Of course, what you have are early cold symptoms. I'll prescribe a day's worth of

galgeuntang. It's a type of hanyak that contains arrowroot and ma huang (medicinal herb).

Pedro: Wow, I was really scared when I first saw the needles, but they've helped ease my pain. My muscles are very relaxed now.

Su-hyeon: See? Aren’t you glad we came to the traditional Korean medicine clinic (laughs)?

Remember to stretch from time to time like the doctor told you. If your waist bothers you again, take another shot at acupuncture.

Jessie: Pedro should really thank traditional Korean medicine (laughs).

Su-hyeon: Now let's pay your bill at the cashier.

Pedro: Acupuncture doesn't come cheap, right?

Su-hyeon: Not at all. You're registered as a foreign worker, so you should be insured. That means a regular acupuncture session shouldn't cost you more than KRW 10,000. Moxibustion or cupping (suction on the skin with heated cups) therapy costs between KRW 10,000-20,000. Without insurance, it's KRW 20,000-30,000.

Pedro: Wow, that's affordable. No wonder everybody loves Korea's health care system.

Jessie: Well, I'm still a bit afraid of the pointy needles. But since they seem to be effective, I'll give them a shot the next time my neck or waist aches.

Su-hyeon: Haha, it'll only sting slightly so don't be too afraid.

Written by Kim Young Deok
Translated by Shim Kyu-han
Illustrated by Yuhaill
kyd1991@korea.kr