Korean Job Discussion Forums

SpuddyJ · Joined: 10 Jun 2007

For the last week now my back has been hurting in one very specific spot, right on the spine between my shoulder blades. I'm pretty sure its some kind of disc / nerve pinching problem because for the last 8 years the skin on my shoulder blades had been numb. Now i'm getting pain in the nearvy spinal area and the numb area seems to have moved closer to my spine. The pain is not severe but its damn near constant and its starting to worry me. I have another month and a half here before I go travelling and I don't want to be crippled by some fucked up back issues.

Does anyone know a really good Korean, english speaking doctor or back pain specialist? And has anyone experienced this kind of thing before?

Regards,
Spuddy

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

what part of korea are you in?

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

I am a chiropractor but don't practice here. I would suggest not ignoring numb areas on your body for eight years. Constant pain can be a worry. Go see the chiro in Seoul.

If you are smoking quit now as pain in that area for a smoker is not a good sign.

Not much a doctor can do for spinal pain and numbness.

SpuddyJ · Joined: 10 Jun 2007

Doh! I live in Seoul, Itaewon area.

I did some good ole internet research. Only 5 percent of the kind of pain that i'm feeling requires surgery, the rest of it heals over a couple months. (Of course, if it doesn't start to feel better in the next few days ill go see a doctor.)

Thanks for some of the advice. Have you gone to that back pain place in Bundang? Can you tell me if he's good or not? (I just read that thread where some korean doctor wanted to cut off a guys leg because of gout.. freaky stuff).

njp6 · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Location: Gangnam, South Korea

I have been suffering from backpain in Korea for the last year.

If you are in Seoul, I know of two chiropractic clinics (they both speak English)
Chirosportsmed Iteawon: 02-798-1446
Dr Park in Gangnam: 018-350-2229
I like Dr Park more because the Iteawon clinic is always too busy and you do not get much time with the chiropractor.

Now the thing is that is you have muscle pain, or pinched nerves it is best to see an acupuncturist as well (I would advise finding a korean friend to take you the first few times.)

Last many teaching hospitals have pain clinics where you can get deep massage and heat packs after seeing a doctor. The one I am familiar with is Yongdong Severence in Gangnam. Again please bring a Korean friend.

I hope you the best of luck, back pain is not fun.

There are other places to go outside of Seoul, but I have only been able to do research in this and the surrounding area. If you cannot find a chiropracter, go to an acupuncturist relatively soon, it most likely won't fix you, but will lower the pain.

dr. love · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

Our hospital is about 40 minutes from Itaewon. We have a Spine Center that offers surgery, Oriental Medicine and chiropractors. You can receive combined treatment if required.

Send me a pm if you'd like more info or an appointment

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Modern day patients are so funny. They ask for advice and don't listen. They do an inernet search and think they know everything.

I WILL WRITE IT BIG-8 YEARS WITH NUMBNESS IS INSANE-I ASKED DO YOU SMOKE? A BIG PART OF GETTING BETTER IS LISTENING AND NOT BEING A KNOW IT ALL.

Or walk around and let it get worse and do some more 5 minute google searches. I am sure that will cure you.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

If someone claims to be a chiropractor in Korea make sure that they show you their international degree in Chiropractic from America, Canada or possibly Australia.

The rest are not chiropractors and are just using the term. Chiropractors do considerably more training and spend at least 5 years studying for a specific course.

The other version might have spent a few weekends learning to adjust the spine on top of their other course in some other discipline. It takes years not weekends to learn chiropractic.

DR. Love does not have chiropractors in his hospital. He only has Korean trained people using the term. There is no Korean chiropractors trained in Korea. There are some koreans who went oveseas and did a proper course.

Just ask to see their degree and it will need to be from a Chiropractic school and not a Korean traditional medicine school.