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Joint pain
Knees, shoulders, fingers — joints ache and feel stiff all over.
Have you come to us for reasons like these?
When it is not just one thing, but several areas breaking down together
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Chronic pain
Long-standing pain persists and rarely eases.
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Digestive trouble
You have little appetite, and even a small meal leaves you bloated.
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Sleep trouble
You have trouble falling asleep, or you wake up often during the night.
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Urinary and bowel trouble
You need to urinate frequently or don't feel fully relieved, and constipation or a lingering sense of incomplete bowel movements persists.
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Low energy
You feel weak and tire easily even with light activity.
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Not sure which clinic is right for you?
If pain is clearly concentrated in one place, such as a knee or shoulder, the Chronic Pain Clinic may be the right fit; if insomnia or palpitations stand out, the Autonomic Nervous System Clinic may be better; if managing blood pressure, blood sugar, or weight is the priority, the Metabolic Syndrome Clinic may be more suitable. If several symptoms overlap at once — pain, digestion, sleep, and energy — the Senior Clinic looks at the whole picture together.
Treatment Process
Here is what to expect at your first visit
1
Checking your vitals
We start by measuring blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature for everyone who visits.
2
Assessing your condition
If you are also considering an herbal medicine prescription, we review a questionnaire along with urine and blood sugar tests, oxygen saturation and perfusion index measured with a fingertip device, the mouth, the eyes' pupillary light response, breathing, and sympathetic nervous system response — together with a hands-on physical examination where we look, touch, and check your movement directly.
3
Explaining what we found
Based on what we find, we explain which part of your body is currently off balance. These checks are meant to reduce diagnostic error, rule out other underlying conditions, and prepare for any possible side effects. See the full list of what we check
4
Setting a timeline together
For first-time patients, we often start with about one month, and review the prescription again every two weeks, because the prescription needs to change as your condition changes. Not everyone needs to take it for a long time. Because of individual variation and the many variables in each person's physiology and condition, we cannot state this in absolute terms.
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doctor Dr. Heo Ji-young
A graduate of the College of Korean Medicine at Kyung Hee University, with master's and doctoral degrees in pathology — the mechanisms of disease — from its graduate school. Later served as a research professor in the university's Herbology department, studying medicinal substances. Studying both disease and medicine from both sides is the foundation of this practice: explaining "why a given medicine works for a given illness" in the language of both pathology and pharmacology.
Explains autonomic, chronic, and intractable conditions — and structural problems of the body — in the language of modern science, and proposes treatment matched to the cause. Has taught prescribing and clinical practice to Korean medicine doctors for over ten years, and is a co-author of "Korean Medicine, Explained by Korean Medicine Doctors," selected for the 2018 Sejong Books list (general category).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long do I need to take it?
A. It depends on the goal. For first-time patients, we often start with about one month, and review the prescription again every two weeks, because the prescription needs to change as your condition changes. Not everyone needs to take it for a long time, and we do not recommend taking it longer than necessary.
Q. Can I take it together with Western medications?
A. Let us know everything you are currently taking, and we will assess it together with you. Simply spacing doses by two to three hours is not always enough, so we decide based on the type of medication and your current condition.
Q. Since herbal medicine comes from nature, does it have no side effects?
A. No, that is not the case. Effects and side effects generally arise from the same mechanism, at the same site — differing only in dose and duration. What makes something safe is not where it comes from, but the dose, the duration, and the condition of the person taking it. That is why we first check what medications you are currently taking and your current physical condition.
Q. How should I store leftover herbal medicine?
A. Please refrigerate the sealed pouches. Unopened, they generally keep well for about two weeks; once opened, it is best to drink it the same day. Pills or powders should be kept somewhere cool and dry, with extra care about moisture in summer. The most common mistake is drinking medicine that has been kept too long simply because it seems wasteful to throw away — please discard anything that has spoiled.
Q. What should I do if I notice changes in my body while taking it?
A. Please let us know as soon as you notice any change while taking it. What you observe becomes the basis for adjusting the next prescription. Since we review the prescription again every two weeks, you can simply tell us about any changes at your next visit.
Q. Will herbal medicine make me gain weight?
A. Generally not, unless weight gain is the specific goal. In fact, formulas are often designed by looking at where digestion and metabolism are being held up.
Q. Is it covered by National Health Insurance?
A. Acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping are covered by National Health Insurance; herbal medicine and pharmacopuncture are not covered. We will go over the details before your treatment.
Q. Can I come in for a consultation only?
A. Yes. We first review your condition and tell you frankly whether Korean Medicine treatment may help. If we judge that it is unlikely to help, we will tell you so.
Q. Do I have to take herbal medicine?
A. No. Depending on your condition, treatment may proceed with acupuncture alone. Herbal medicine is recommended when your regulatory reserve is significantly depleted, and the decision is made together after a full explanation.
Q. Can I be seen without imaging tests?
A. Yes. However, if the numbness extends down to your foot or you notice weakness, we recommend confirmation with imaging tests first. If you have previous test results, bringing them along is helpful.
Q. How often are treatment sessions?
A. In the acute phase, sessions are often 2–3 times a week, then about once a week as things stabilize. We set a plan together at your first visit based on your condition.
Contact Us
Have questions?
We're here to help.
02-446-1075
Weekdays 09:30 - 20:00 / Saturday 09:30 - 13:00
Lunch Break 12:30 - 14:00 / Closed Sunday · Public Holidays
Kyunghee Meerae Korean Medicine Clinic, Gwangjin is located at Room 201, 46 Jayang-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is a 7-minute walk from Guui Station Exit 4. · Directions