2026 Korean Medicine Clinic 101 - Overview of Treatment Types, Costs, Recommended Hospitals by Treatment, and How Foreigners Can Make Reservations
A Wellness Guide For Foreign Travelers: Everything You Need to Know About Traditional Korean Medicine Treatments, Costs, and Reservations
- What is a Korean medicine clinic?
- Recommended Korean Medicine Clinics by Treatment
- If you’re looking for a special wellness experience while traveling in Korea
- Booking a Korean medicine clinic for foreigners
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do you remember the scene in 'K-pop Demon Hunters' where the protagonist gets acupuncture at a Korean medicine clinic? It’s a bit exaggerated in the drama, but real treatments at a Korean medicine clinic aren’t as scary. As someone who visits a Korean medicine clinic often, I strongly recommend them if you want a unique experience in Korea, recovery from travel fatigue, or an affordable way to ease neck pain.
Korean Medicine Clinic from K-pop Demon Hunters
In this article I explain the strengths of treatments at Korean medicine clinics from my perspective as a Korean, and I organize the special features of 11 clinics in Seoul that foreigners often visit, grouped by treatment purpose. If you’re wondering, 'Which clinic is right for me?' be sure to read this.
What is a Korean medicine clinic?
A Korean medicine clinic is a medical facility based on Korea’s traditional medicine. In Korea, only Korean medicine doctors with a national license can provide treatment, and they officially operate within the modern medical system. Some foreign visitors may think Korean medicine is not conventional medicine, but in Korea it is one of the mainstream medical approaches. In particular, it is covered by National Health Insurance for Koreans, and it is directly managed by the state. The focus is on non-surgical treatments that help balance the body and support natural recovery, such as acupuncture, Herbal medicine, and Chuna therapy (manual correction). Serious conditions like cancer are treated with conventional medicine, but for issues that need natural recovery, Korean medicine is often faster and more effective.
Recently, Korean medicine clinics that offer consultation services specifically for foreign patients have been growing rapidly, so even if you don’t speak Korean you can often get consultations and treatments in English, Chinese, or Japanese. In fact, prices are similar to those of regular massages, so when I need a massage I often go to a Korean medicine clinic and replace it with Acupuncture.
When I think back to when I lived in the United States, Acupuncture and Korean medicine (or Chinese medicine, etc.) were hardly known, so when I had a lot of assignments and neck pain or wrist/ankle pain after exercise, I managed it with stretching or painkillers. In the U.S. and other Western countries, treating painful areas with acupuncture wasn’t a common idea. The moment I returned to Korea I went to a Korean medicine clinic to get immediate relief for a stiff neck, and I still visit a Korean medicine clinic whenever I’m not feeling well. It’s amazing that these techniques and the value of the Korean medicine clinic are becoming known to foreigners these days.
Me receiving a traditional Korean medicine treatment.. (@Tong-in Korean Medicine Clinic Tong-in Korean Medicine Clinic)
Recommended Korean Medicine Clinics by Treatment
This is something I feel as a Korean, each Korean medicine clinic is better at different treatments. I also visit various Korean medicine clinics depending on my symptoms. Below, I recommend first finding the treatment you need, then choosing a clinic that matches it.
When you visit a Korean medicine clinic for the first time, you’ll be presented with a list of treatments like a menu, and if you’re not familiar with them it’s hard to know what to choose. Here’s a breakdown of each treatment and who it’s best suited for.
However, the prices listed below for each treatment are for reference only. Usually, Korean medicine clinics offer treatments as a set, so you won’t pay for each item individually. Typical costs range from 50,000 won to about 200,000 won at most.
Acupuncture
As someone who loves exercise, this is both my favorite and the treatment that most people think of first when it comes to Korean medicine. Thin needles, slightly thicker than a hair (usually 0.20–0.25 mm), are placed on acupuncture points to improve blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. It’s especially great for people who work out. I go to a Korean medicine clinic whenever I get stiffness in my neck after exercising.
The areas foreign travelers most often receive Acupuncture for are the neck, shoulders (after long flights), lower back, and headaches. Sessions are short, about 20–30 minutes, and many people feel effects immediately after treatment, so you can get it during your trip without much trouble.
The question I get most often is, 'Does the acupuncture hurt?' To be honest, you feel a slight tingling the moment the needle is inserted. But if you picture an injection needle beforehand, most people react with, 'That's it?' After the needle is in, a pleasant, heavy sense of relaxation often spreads, and quite a few patients even fall asleep during the treatment.
Acupuncture is available at all Korean medicine clinics partnered with Creatrip. Please refer to the full list of Creatrip partner Korean medicine clinics here.
- Recommended: neck/shoulder pain, headaches, post-flight fatigue
- Sensation: like a mosquito bite — many people fall asleep during the treatment
- Time: 20-30 minutes | Cost: 12,000 - 50,000 won
- ✔ You can resume activities immediately after the treatment
Cupping therapy
Cupping uses cup-shaped tools placed on the skin to create negative pressure (vacuum), improving blood flow and releasing muscle tension. It gained international recognition after Hollywood actors appeared on the red carpet with round marks on their backs.
It’s especially effective after long-haul flights over 10 hours when your back and shoulders feel stiff. During the treatment you’ll feel your skin being pulled, which is more like a deep massage than pain.
One thing to know in advance is that the treatment leaves round marks. They usually last about 3–7 days and fade naturally, so if you plan to swim or wear clothing that exposes your back while traveling, it’s best to schedule accordingly. For me, they seemed to disappear in about four days.
Cupping therapy is available at all Korean medicine clinics partnered with Creatrip. For the full list of Creatrip partner Korean medicine clinics, please refer to here.
- Recommended: upper back/shoulder tightness, recovery after long-haul flights
- Sensation: strong massage-like feeling
- Duration: 20-30 minutes | Cost: 20,000 - 75,000원
- ⚠ Round marks last 3–7 days, plan swimming or wearing revealing clothing before this treatment
Chuna therapy
A Korean medicine doctor performs manual therapy by directly adjusting joints and muscles with their hands. It’s similar to chiropractic, but the difference is that it’s based on traditional Korean medicine’s meridian theory. You can expect it to feel as relieving as chiropractic.
Sometimes you may hear a popping sound from a joint during a treatment. It can be surprising at first, but the noise comes from gas bubbles between the joints bursting and is not dangerous. Most of the time the Korean medicine doctor will explain this before the procedure, so there’s no need to worry much.
Effective for posture-related issues like forward head posture, lower back pain, and pelvic imbalance, and you can feel immediate improvement when you receive it after a long flight or carrying heavy luggage during travel. It's good to combine this with Acupuncture.
Chuna therapy is available at all Korean medicine clinics partnered with Creatrip. For a full list of Creatrip partner Korean medicine clinics, please see here.
- Recommended: forward head posture, lower back pain, pelvic imbalance
- Sensation: you may hear a 'pop' sound (joint gas, normal)
- Time: 40-60 minutes | Cost: 50,000-100,000 won
- ✔ You can resume activities immediately after the treatment
Asymmetry Correction
Recently this treatment has been gaining popularity fastest among foreign patients. It combines Acupuncture, Chuna therapy, and muscle relaxation therapy to improve facial asymmetry, jaw tension, and pelvic height differences.
Before the procedure, many Korean medicine clinics take front and side photos to quantify asymmetry, and then take comparison photos the same way after the procedure. One session won’t completely correct the issue, but there’s often a visible change you can check in the mirror right after the treatment, so satisfaction is high.
Some travelers compare it to cosmetic surgery since it’s a non-surgical approach, but asymmetry correction at a Korean medicine clinic doesn’t shave bone, it adjusts muscle tension patterns and joint positioning. Multiple sessions are recommended for lasting effects, but even one or two treatments during a trip can be a meaningful experience. (I’ve seen Japanese and Taiwanese customers who get this every time they visit Korea!)
- Recommended: facial asymmetry, jaw tension, pelvic height difference
- What it feels like: acupuncture plus Chuna therapy combination, you can see changes immediately after treatment
- Duration: 50 minutes–1 hour | Cost: 75,000–100,000 won
- ⚠ For lasting effects, up to two sessions are recommended
Korean medicine clinic | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|
Duna Korean medicine clinic (Duna) | Seongsudong | Asymmetry correction specialist, Creatrip exclusive |
Ria Korean medicine clinic Myeongdong Branch | Myeongdong | Asymmetry + diet + beauty 3-in-1 signature program |
Duna Korean medicine clinic is an exclusive partner clinic that can only be booked through Creatrip, and it specializes in asymmetry correction. It has been partnered with Creatrip for a long time. It recently became more famous after influencers started visiting. A few of my foreign acquaintances have said they want to go to Duna Korean medicine clinic. My Japanese acquaintances sometimes get herbal medicine for weight loss prescribed at this clinic. It’s known for diagnosing and addressing asymmetry using an AI diagnostic machine.
Ria Korean medicine clinic Myeongdong is located in Myeongdong, so it’s easy to get to, and it’s notable for offering asymmetry correction, weight loss, and beauty treatments bundled into a single package. If Duna Korean medicine clinic is hard to visit because it’s in Seongsudong, it’s fine to visit Ria Korean medicine clinic instead. In particular, this place runs a wellness package called K-Balance, which provided an immediate balancing effect that was very satisfying.
Herbal medicine prescription (Herbal Medicine)
This involves receiving personalized Herbal medicine prescribed to match an individual’s constitution and health. In Korean medicine, even the same symptoms can require different prescriptions depending on a person’s constitution, so a one-on-one consultation with a Korean medicine doctor is always required.
The most common concerns for travelers are fatigue recovery, digestion improvement, sleep management, and immune support. Herbal medicine is packaged in liquid pouches or pill form, so you can pack it in your suitcase and take it after returning home. The taste tends to be bitter, but recently many formulas have been developed with improved flavor.
One thing to note is, Herbal medicine can take time to be prepared after it’s prescribed (same day to one day). If you visit on your last day of travel it may be hard to receive it, so we recommend having a consultation early or mid–trip.
- Recommended: fatigue recovery, digestion improvement, sleep and immune support
- Taste: tends to be bitter
- Time: consultation 30 minutes + separate preparation time | Cost: determined after consultation
- ⚠ Preparation time required, recommended to visit early in your trip
Herbal medicine prescriptions are available at all Korean medicine clinics partnered with Creatrip, and unless the herbal medicine is a liquid, there’s no issue taking it out of the country. See the full list of Creatrip partner Korean medicine clinics here. If you want a single recommendation, we suggest Tong-in Korean Medicine Clinic (TONG-IN), which is the most visited by U.S. customers.
Herbal Diet Program (Herbal Diet Program)
The weight loss programs at Korean medicine clinics are not 'fat-burning pills', they focus on improving your constitution and controlling appetite. After a constitution consultation, a personalized Herbal medicine prescription is given along with dietary guidance.
The process works like this. First you have a consultation with a Korean medicine doctor about your constitutional type, including body shape analysis, eating habits, and medical history, then herbal medicine is prescribed based on the results. Many foreign patients visiting Seoul only receive the consultation and prescription while traveling, and take the herbal medicine home to use after returning. Prescriptions are usually for one to three months, and you’ll also receive guidance on managing your eating habits during the treatment period. Customers from Japan and Taiwan usually prefer this.
Rather than expecting rapid weight loss in a short time, understand the goal is to change your body type so you’re less prone to gaining weight.
- Recommended: Improve constitutional health, control appetite
- What to expect: Herbal medicine intake (packaged for 1–3 months)
- Duration: Consultation 20–30 minutes | Cost: Determined after consultation
- ✔ Can continue taking after returning home, includes dietary habit guidance
Korean medicine clinic | Features |
|---|---|
Myeongdong Siwon Korean medicine clinic (Siwon) | Weight management and alignment specialist |
Bit Korean medicine clinic (Bit) | Dietary herbal medicine |
Gangnam Garosero Korean medicine clinic | Dieting and skin care |
Choi Hyeok Korean medicine clinic (CHOI HYEOK) | Dieting, lifting, and skin care |
Myeongdong Cooling Korean Medicine Clinic is right in the heart of Myeongdong, making it easy to visit during shopping, and it specializes in weight management. They measure body composition on site with an InBody test, then provide a personalized diagnosis through a consultation with the director, followed by obesity pharmacopuncture treatment. It's also specialized in facial correction and body alignment, so if you're looking for a Myeongdong Korean medicine clinic, I recommend this place.
Bit Korean medicine clinic is famous for its diet Herbal medicine. It comes in pill form, so you can easily take it with you when leaving the country. This medicine has effects similar to Wegovy or Mounjaro, it suppresses appetite to help you lose weight.
Choi Hyuk Korean medicine clinic offers diet, lifting, and skin care together. What I found interesting is that they include skin care as part of their services. Quite a few foreign customers return, and more than 2,000 foreigners visit each year. They typically prescribe Herbal medicine for weight loss alongside cosmetic acupuncture treatments. For the diet Herbal medicine, they even offer EMS shipping service.
Busan Korean medicine clinic
There are many good Korean medicine clinics in Busan. Among them, Green Korean Medicine Clinic is famous for moxibustion, a heat-based 'moxibustion' treatment.
If you’re looking for a special wellness experience while traveling in Korea
Visiting a Korean medicine clinic can be more than just treatment, it can be a chance to experience Korea’s traditional medical culture firsthand. A friend of mine, who often used massage or chiropractic services in the U.S., came to Korea and really liked getting Acupuncture and Chuna therapy at very affordable prices. Since I’ve experienced both cultures as a Korean, I can confidently recommend it. Restore your body’s balance, ease travel fatigue, and try Korea’s wellness culture.
Booking a Korean medicine clinic for foreigners
Creatrip supports reservations and consultations for Seoul Korean medicine clinic visits for foreign travelers. We also offer real-time foreign language consultations via Whatsapp, so be sure to ask!
WhatsApp: +82 10-8818-2915 (Click to connect directly)
Creatrip selects Korean medicine clinics that are foreigner-friendly. They do not pressure patients into excessive treatments, and they partner with clinics that are kind to foreign customers to make booking convenient. Booking through Creatrip does not add extra fees, and it is often cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners visit a Korean medicine clinic? Yes. Korean medicine clinics in Korea can treat anyone regardless of nationality. The Korean medicine clinics listed on Creatrip all have experience treating foreigners and offer consultations in English. Some clinics also provide consultations in Chinese and Japanese.
Does Acupuncture hurt? From my own experience, it felt about like a mosquito bite. The needles used at a Korean medicine clinic are very thin (usually 0.20–0.25mm), and completely different from the injection needles you might imagine. Depending on the area, you may feel a slight tingling, but most patients find it tolerable.
How long does treatment at a Korean medicine clinic take? It depends on the procedure, but most treatments, including consultation, take about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Asymmetry correction or Chuna therapy, including consultation, takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour, and if you receive only Acupuncture, it takes around 30 minutes.
Can I continue my travel plans right after treatment? Yes. Most treatments do not interfere with everyday activities. However, note that cupping therapy may leave round marks for a few days. The marks will fade naturally.
Can I get Herbal medicine prescribed to take home after returning to my country? Yes. After a consultation you can receive a prescription for Herbal medicine tailored to your body type and take it home in packaged form. Many foreign patients use diet Herbal medicine this way, getting consultation and a prescription in Seoul and then taking the medicine to use after returning home.
What benefits do you get when booking through Creatrip?
If you upload the receipt from an in-person payment at a Korean medicine clinic to the Creatrip platform, you’ll get 10% points back. You can also get multilingual consultation support and have your reservation adjusted to fit your travel schedule. Many people think that getting 10% back means they’ll end up paying more, but that’s not the case!
Also, Creatrip sends many foreign customers, so negotiation based on volume is possible. That means you can book a better package than if you reserve directly.
Creatrip offers 24/7 real-time English, Chinese, and Japanese support for foreigners. The service is 100% free!
- WhatsApp: +82 10-8818-2915 (Click to connect directly)
- LINE: @creatrip (@required) (Click to connect directly)
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