등촌따숨한의원Korean Medicine,
Where It Comes From
Cupping, acupuncture and Chuna in Gangseo-gu, Seoul — 15 minutes from Gimpo Airport, two subway stops from the museum where Donguibogam was written. Open on weekends and public holidays.
You have probably seen these marks
Round purple circles on an athlete's back, or on a performer's shoulders. They come from cupping — a treatment that has been part of everyday medicine in Korea for centuries, and that has lately become a wellness trend abroad. In Los Angeles a session runs into the hundreds of dollars with a waiting list. In Seoul, it is simply what a Korean medicine clinic does.
What You Can Try
Cupping (부항 / Buhang)
Glass cups create gentle suction on the back, drawing the skin and muscle layer upward. This is where those round marks come from — they fade on their own over several days. Studies report reduced pain intensity in chronic musculoskeletal pain, though responses vary from person to person.
Acupuncture (침 / Chim)
Thin sterile needles at specific points. Most first-timers are surprised by how little they feel. If you are nervous, tell us — we explain each step and stop whenever you want.
Moxibustion (뜸 / Tteum)
Warmth applied over specific points. No needles involved. A gentle option if you would rather not try acupuncture on your first visit.
Chuna Manual Therapy (추나)
Hands-on adjustment of the spine and joints, closer to osteopathy than to massage. Useful after long flights or days of walking.
Heat Therapy (온열)
Our second floor has an infrared room, a heat dome and air compression massage for the legs. Available to patients receiving treatment.
Why Travelers Come
After a long flight
Ten-plus hours in an economy seat leaves the neck and lower back stiff. Many visitors come on their first or second day in Seoul, before the rest of the trip.
After a full day of walking
Sightseeing is walking. Palaces, markets, hills. By evening the calves are swollen and heavy.
Jet lag and broken sleep
When the body has not caught up with the time zone yet.
An unfamiliar diet
Spicy and rich food can upset a stomach not used to it. Korean medicine looks at digestion as part of the whole body.
Simple curiosity
Some people come with no complaint at all — they just want to try Korean medicine in the country where it developed. That is a good enough reason.
The Birthplace of Donguibogam
Gangseo-gu — the district we practise in — is where Heo Jun, royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty, was born, wrote, and died. His Donguibogam (completed 1610) is a Korean National Treasure and is inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
Heo Jun Museum
Roughly a thousand artifacts — editions of Donguibogam, historic medical texts, herbs and instruments. Two stops from us (Gayang Station, Line 9).
Heo Jun Theme Street
A 500-metre walk from the museum to Heogabawi, the cave said to be his birthplace. Signage in English, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.
A half-day route
Morning — the museum. Lunch nearby. Afternoon — two stops on Line 9, and try the medicine itself.
Before You Come
- No Korean health insurance? That is fine. You can be treated without it. Costs differ, and we tell you the price before treatment begins so you can decide.
- If you do have Korean National Health Insurance (including foreign residents with an ARC), acupuncture, cupping and Chuna are partially covered, same as for Korean patients.
- We consult in Korean. No fluent English speaker is on staff. Translation apps handle most visits well, and bringing a Korean-speaking friend helps a great deal. We take the time to make sure you understand what we are doing.
- Walk-ins are welcome. Booking ahead simply shortens the wait.
- Reception and treatment are all on the ground floor. No stairs.
- If your problem is outside our scope — high fever, severe abdominal pain, a major injury — we will tell you and point you to a hospital instead.
Getting Here
From Gimpo Airport
From elsewhere in Seoul
Hours & Contact
Questions We Are Often Asked
Do I need Korean health insurance to be treated?
No. You can be treated without it, though the cost differs. We tell you the price before treatment begins. If you do hold Korean National Health Insurance, acupuncture, cupping and Chuna are partially covered.
Does cupping hurt? How long do the marks last?
Cupping feels like a strong pull rather than a sharp pain. The round marks are not bruises from impact; they usually fade on their own within three to seven days. If you have an event or a beach day coming up, tell us and we will adjust placement or skip it.
I have never had acupuncture. Is it painful?
The needles are much thinner than injection needles and most first-timers report little sensation. We explain each step, and we stop whenever you ask. If you would rather not try needles at all, moxibustion and heat therapy are alternatives.
Is anyone available who speaks English?
We consult in Korean and do not have a fluent English speaker on staff. Translation apps work well for most visits, and coming with a Korean-speaking friend helps. We would rather be honest about this than have you arrive expecting otherwise.
Are you open on weekends?
Yes. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, 9:00 to 14:00, with no lunch break. We close for Lunar New Year, Chuseok and summer vacation.
How do I get there from Gimpo Airport?
Take Subway Line 9 from Gimpo International Airport to Deungchon Station — seven stops, about 15 minutes, no transfer. Leave from Exit 7 and walk five minutes.
Can I combine this with the Heo Jun Museum?
Yes, and many visitors do. The museum is at Gayang Station, two stops from us on the same line. Donguibogam, the medical text written by Heo Jun in this district, is a Korean National Treasure and is inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
What if it rains during my trip?
That is often when people come. Everything here is indoors, and falling air pressure with rising humidity is exactly when many people notice their joints feeling heavy.
I was in a traffic accident in Korea. Can you treat me?
Yes. Treatment is generally covered by the at-fault driver's insurance. Bring the accident report number from the insurance company. If you do not have it yet, come anyway and we will explain the process.